About Featured Research

Please see newly added research studies and other select study opportunities below.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


COVID-19 Immunity in Healthy Adults

Are you over 18 and healthy? Do you think you had COVID, but did NOT get tested? You may be able to participate in a study to help determine how many people in the area have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). The study involves eConsent, a survey, and an at-home blood sample collection performed via finger prick.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  10 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits required
Location LOCATION: 

At home
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None

Fatigue in Patients with ALS

Have you been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if breathing exercises result in immediate fatigue that may lead to complications in people who have ALS, and to find out if a small noninvasive sensor attached to the throat can measure swallowing fatigue. Involves 2 in-person visits. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 3 hours total
VISITS:  2
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $50

KINETIC Research Study

Are you pregnant and plan to have a cesarean delivery (C-section) at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if ketamine is safe and effective for controlling pain after a C-section, and if ketamine given in this way is transferred into breast milk. Participation takes place in the hospital after you give birth. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 36 hours
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital & Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $1,500

QUEST Research Study

Are you currently pregnant? Do you take medication such as methadone or buprenorphine for an opiate use disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand beliefs and experiences about labor and delivery pain in women with opiate use disorder. Participation involves completing interviews and surveys. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  4 hours total over 5 days
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital – Oakland, by phone, & online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $50

BRIDGE Research Study

Are you pregnant and planning to have a cesarean delivery (C-section) at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a non-invasive, battery-operated device can decrease pain and improve recovery after delivery. Participation takes place in the hospital and up to 5 days after delivery. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  5 days
VISITS:  5 (at hospital and/or by phone)
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital – Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $50

TOPAZ: Trial Of Parkinson’s And Zoledronic Acid

Are you age 65 or older and have Parkinson’s disease? You may be able to participate in a study to learn if treatments for osteoporosis can help lower fracture risk in people with Parkinson’s disease. This study is done from your home, and involves a visit by a nurse and a one-time dose of the study treatment or placebo (looks like study drug but contains no medication). Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   65 and older

Duration DURATION:  Up to 5 years
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

At home/online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$100 for completing the treatment visit & $50 per yearly check-in

Developing Educational Materials for Adults with Down Syndrome

Do you have Down syndrome or are you a caregiver for someone with Down syndrome? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help gather feedback about how people in the Down syndrome community feel about common research procedures. This study involves completing one online survey. Some participants may also be invited to participate in a phone interview.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 6 months
VISITS:  1 online survey & 1 phone call
Location LOCATION: 

Online & By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$20 for completing phone interview

Social Media Assessment of Risk in Teens (SMART) – Age 18

Did you attempt suicide in the past 6 months? Are you 18 years of age? You may be eligible to participate in a 1-visit online research study to help find out if social media can be used to identify depression and suicide risk in teens. Eligible participants must have at least one social media account (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18

Duration DURATION:  2-3 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

Virtual Visit (via HIPAA-compliant Zoom)
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

Patient Perceptions of Consent Process

Are you scheduled to have a surgical procedure for a benign gynecological condition such as fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or ovarian cysts? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help understand patients’ perceptions about the role of medical students in their healthcare. This study includes two phone or online interviews lasting about 1.5 hours total.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  1.5 hours
VISITS:  Two telephone or Zoom interviews
Location LOCATION: 

Online or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None

Impact of Maternal COVID-19 Infection on Newborns

Are you pregnant? Did you have a positive nasal swab for COVID-19 during your pregnancy? If so, you and your baby may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about how maternal COVID-19 infection affects newborns. Study visits may be coordinated with your regular care visits. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  6-12 months
VISITS:  3
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and/or UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Primary Care Center in Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

(CATT) Instrument Survey Study – Informal Caregivers

Do you provide informal, unpaid care to a person with a physical disability who requires assistance with wheelchair transfers? Have you provided care for more than 3 months? If so, you may be able to provide feedback about a new tool designed to help evaluate caregivers’ transfer technique. Participation in this research study involves completing one online survey. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  Approximately 1 hour
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$25 online gift card

(CATT) Instrument Survey Study - Clinicians

Are you a clinician with at least 3 years’ experience providing transfer assistance to adults with physical impairments due spinal cord injury or disease? If so, you may be able to provide feedback about a new tool designed to help evaluate caregivers’ transfer technique. Participation in this research study involves completing one online survey. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  Approximately 1 hour
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$25 online gift card

Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping Survey Study for Parents

Are you the parent of a child under age 18? If so, you may be able to take an anonymous, online survey about parents’ experiences and communication preferences regarding teens and electronic cigarettes (vaping). You and your child do not have to use these products to participate in this research study. Some participants will be chosen at random to receive an electronic gift card.

ONLINE STUDY
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  15-30 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Participants will be chosen at random to receive a $20 electronic gift card.

Pittsburgh Vaccine Clinical Trial Unit Registry

Are you interested in vaccine research? If so, you can sign up to be part of the Pittsburgh Vaccine Clinical Trial Unit Registry—a group of people who agree to be contacted when a new vaccine is ready to be tested. Consent to participate in this research study can be done online. Compensation provided if a blood sample is collected.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration VISITS:  0-1 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

If a blood sample is required, you will receive a $25 gift card.

COVID-19 Stress Response Study for UPMC Healthcare Workers

Are you a UPMC healthcare worker? You may be able to complete an anonymous 30-minute online survey to help learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts mental health. Participants in this research study may enter a drawing for a gift card after completing the survey.

ONLINE STUDY
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 30 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits; online survey only
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Participants may enter a drawing for a $50 gift card after completing the survey

COVID-19 Stress Response Study

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are asking adults aged 18 and up to complete an online survey to help learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health. Participation in this research study involves completing one anonymous survey that takes about 30 minutes. Participants may enter a drawing for a gift card after completing the survey.

ONLINE STUDY
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 30 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits; online survey only
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Participants may enter a drawing for a $50 gift card after completing the survey

COVID-19 and Multiple Sclerosis Survey Study – Participants with and without MS

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are seeking participants with and without a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for a survey study to help better understand the risk and impact of COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves completing multiple surveys online over the course of one year.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  1 year
VISITS:  No in-person visits; multiple online surveys
Location LOCATION: 

Online
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None

The Pittsburgh Study: COVID-19 Family Supports Survey – Parents and Expectant Parents

Are you the parent of at least one child aged 0-17, or are you an expectant parent? You may be able to participate in an online research study to help understand how families are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19. Participation involves completing a survey about your family’s needs and the resources in your community. Five participants per week will be randomly selected to receive $100.

ONLINE STUDY
 
Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration VISITS:  At least one online survey: no in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Five participants per week will be randomly selected to receive $100

MyPaTH Story Booth – COVID-19 Stories

Participants are invited to share how they are maintaining their health during the coronavirus pandemic, or to share what it is like being ill with COVID-19 and/or caring for a loved one who is ill with COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 45 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

By phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None