Welcome to the Featured Research Studies Page

About Featured Research

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

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Ketogenic Diet Study - Healthy Controls

Are you between 18-30 years old without bipolar disorder? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the effects of a ketogenic diet (high fat, low sugar diet) on the brain in people with bipolar disorder. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: Up to 1 year

VISITS: 2-4 in-person visits, 2-3 hours each

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

COMPENSATION: Up to $275

ENACT Study

Do you have a schizophrenia diagnosis? Are you 18-50 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to examine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can enhance cognition and connectivity in the brain to work alongside clozapine. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 1-2 months

VISITS: 3-5 study visits with remote follow ups

LOCATION: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $524

CONCERT Study

Are you a healthy, non-smoking individual? Are you 18 years old or older? You may be able to participate in a research study to evaluate the creation of a dried alternative blood product. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

Other Blood/Lymphatic System

AGE: 18 and older

LOCATION: UPMC Montefiore Hospital Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) – Oakland

COMPENSATION: $50 gift card per donation

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Assessing patient perceptions and understandings of genetic testing after miscarriage

Have you experienced pregnancy loss? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to help us understand patient views and feelings about genetic testing after miscarriage.

Featured Research

Pregnancy and Postpartum Health

Remote Research

Women's Health

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 10-15 minutes

VISITS: Online Survey

COMPENSATION: NONE

RESIST Study - Adult Arm

Are you between the ages of 18-25 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to help us learn how to improve emotional health in adolescents and adults. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

AGE: 18-25

DURATION: 3 years

VISITS: 4 visits (in-person and remote) and questionnaires

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus

COMPENSATION: Up to $625

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Diabetes and School Health

Are you a parent of a school-age child (ages 6-12) or adolescent (ages 12-18)? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn about your experiences with your child's diabetes care in school. Compensation is provided.

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 60 minutes

VISITS: Virtual focus group and brief questionnaire

COMPENSATION: $40

TTAS : Transtibial Socket Amputee Study

Do you have a below the knee amputation? Do you use a conventional socket prosthetic? You may be eligible for a research study to to develop a novel Socket Suspension System fit monitor. Compensation is provided.

Assistive Devices

Featured Research

Mobility Aids

Other Physical Disability

And 3 more areas

AGE: 18 - 80

DURATION: Up to 2.5 hours total

VISITS: 1-2 in-person visits and online surveys

LOCATION: UPMC Mercy & the University of Pittsburgh Biodynamics Laboratory

COMPENSATION: $150

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Training Inhibitory Control using Personalized Strategies (TIPS) Beta Study – Adults with ADHD Enrolled in 2-year College or Vocational/Trade School

Are you an 18-25 year-old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who is currently enrolled in a 2-year college or vocational/trade school? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study that is developing a smartphone-based intervention to help young adults with ADHD manage behaviors related to their ADHD. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 5 weeks

VISITS: 3 virtual video visits

COMPENSATION: Up to $400

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Training Inhibitory Control using Personalized Strategies (TIPS) Beta Study – Adults with ADHD Enrolled in a 4-year College/University

Are you an 18-25 year-old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who is currently enrolled in a 4-year college or university? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study that is developing a smartphone-based intervention to help young adults with ADHD manage behaviors related to their ADHD. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 5 weeks

VISITS: 3 virtual video visits

COMPENSATION: Up to $400

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Training Inhibitory Control using Personalized Strategies (TIPS) Beta Study – Not enrolled in college

Are you an 18-25 year-old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who is NOT currently enrolled in any school? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study that is developing a smartphone-based intervention to help young adults with ADHD manage behaviors related to their ADHD. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 5 weeks

VISITS: 3 virtual video visits

COMPENSATION: Up to $400

Vasculopathy and Hemorheology in SCD - Healthy Controls

Are you African American? Are you a healthy person without sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait? You may be eligible for a research study to understand why some patients with sickle cell disease have abnormal blood vessel function. Compensation is provided.

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 2-3 hours

VISITS: 1 in-person study visit

LOCATION: UPMC Benign Hematology Clinic (Falk Building)

COMPENSATION: $25 per hour

Vasculopathy and Hemorheology in SCD - Sickle Cell Carriers

Are you African American? Have you been diagnosed with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait? You may be eligible for a research study to understand why some patients with sickle cell disease have abnormal blood vessel function. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Precision Medicine

Sickle Cell Anemia

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 2-3 hours

VISITS: 1 in-person visit

LOCATION: UPMC Benign Hematology Clinic (Falk Building)

COMPENSATION: $25 per hour

Brain Imaging/Brain Stimulation Research Study in Young Adults

Are you 18-35 years old and have no personal or family history of bipolar disorder? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out how noninvasive brain stimulation affects brain function in people with and without bipolar I disorder. Compensation provided.

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

AGE: 18-35

DURATION: Up to 3 months

VISITS: 5

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $607 & parking/bus fare

Evaluation of MIRA

Are you an amputee with a forearm amputation or wrist disarticulation? Did your amputation occur at least one year ago? You may be eligible for a research study to evaluate a new method to control a robotic prosthetic hand. Compensation is provided.

Assistive Devices

Featured Research

Other Physical Disability

Precision Medicine

AGE: 22-70

DURATION: Up to 2 years

VISITS: Surgical implantation of the MIRA device

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland

COMPENSATION: $6,600 total

AHEAD Study

Are you between 55-80 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to help us get ahead of Alzheimer's disease before symptoms begin. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 4.5 years

VISITS: Up to 54 in-person visits

LOCATION: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

COMPENSATION: $50 per study visit

The Rembrandt Study – Ages 60 and up with Depression

Are you aged 60 or up and currently depressed? You may be able to participate in a two-part research study. During the first part of the study, a clinician will provide treatment for your depression. If your depression responds to treatment, you may enroll in the second part of the study to help understand why some people have a recurrence of depression and others do not. Compensation is provided.

Depression

Featured Research

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: About 2 years and 5 months total

VISITS: Up to 12 clinical sessions and 6-9 phone calls

LOCATION: UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic & UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $1190

The Rembrandt Study

Were you recently treated for depression and experienced an improvement in your symptoms? Are you aged 60 or older? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand why some people experience a return of depression after successful treatment and others do not. Participation includes MRI scanning, memory testing, and other assessments. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 2 years

VISITS: 5-8 clinical sessions & 6-9 phone calls

LOCATION: UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic & UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $990

VX22-264-101 - Type 1 Diabetes Treatment Study

Do you have Type 1 Diabetes? Are you 18-65 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to determine whether the VX-264 implant can improve glucose control. Compensation is provided.

Diabetes

Featured Research

Other Immune System/Infections

Surgery

AGE: 18-65

DURATION: 5 years

VISITS: 34 visits including study product implantation

LOCATION: UPMC Montefiore Hospital Clinical and Translational Research Center

COMPENSATION: Up to about $3,200 (if you complete all study visits)

Processing Images and Words Study

Are you 18-40 years old and right-handed? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about how the brain processes images and words. Eligible participants must be native English speakers and should not have any experience with Dutch or German languages. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Healthy Volunteer

AGE: 18-40

DURATION: 2 hours & 15 minutes

VISITS: Up to 2

LOCATION: CMU-Pitt Brain Imaging Data Generation & Education (BRIDGE) Center – Carnegie Mellon University

COMPENSATION: Up to $40

PROTECT Depression Research Study

Are you age 55 or older and currently depressed? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help understand why some people become depressed and have thoughts of hurting themselves, but others do not. At this time, all study visits will take place by phone or online. Compensation provided.

Depression

Featured Research

AGE: 55 and older

DURATION: 4 years

VISITS: 2-3 interview sessions with yearly follow-ups

LOCATION: This study has temporarily switched to remote visits, but participants will need to travel to Oakland for visits once stay-at-home orders are lifted.

COMPENSATION: $100 to $150

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Youth PrEP Study - Young Adult Arm

Are you 18 years old? Do you identify as transgender, gay, or bisexual? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the perspectives on PrEP for HIV. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Other Reproductive and Sexual Health

Remote Research

AGE: 18

DURATION: 1 hour

VISITS: Interview in-person or via Zoom

LOCATION: Children's Primary Care Center – Oakland

COMPENSATION: $50

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Youth PrEP Study - Parent/Caregiver Arm

Are you the parent/caregiver of a 14-18 year old? Do they identify as transgender, gay, or bisexual? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the perspectives on PrEP for HIV. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Other Reproductive and Sexual Health

Remote Research

AGE: 18 and older

DURATION: 1 hour

VISITS: Interview in-person or via Zoom

LOCATION: Children's Primary Care Center – Oakland

COMPENSATION: $50

Chronic Low Back Pain with Mood Symptoms Study

Have you had chronic low back pain for at least six months and also have depression or anxiety symptoms? Are you aged 18-75? You may be able to participate in a research study to compare antidepressant medication and physical therapy for people with chronic low back who also have anxiety and depression symptoms. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 8 months

VISITS: 6-12 visits in the first 4 months

LOCATION: UPMC Pain Medicine Clinic - Shadyside, Online, & by Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $220 & public transportation reimbursement

TRANSPORT2 Study

Did you have a stroke within the past 6 months and are still experiencing one-sided arm weakness from the stroke? Are 18-80 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if non-invasive brain stimulation combined with rehabilitation therapy improves arm weakness. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

High Blood Pressure

Other Heart and Circulation

Rehabilitation

And 1 more area

AGE: 18-80

DURATION: 3.5 months

VISITS: At least 15

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $75 per visit

TrialNet TOPPLE Type 1 Diabetes Study

Were you diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the past 48 months? Are you 18-45 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study to test a new therapy that is designed to decrease the immune system attacks on insulin-producing cells. Study participation lasts one year and involves 16 in-person visits. Compensation is provided.

LOCATION: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh - Lawrenceville

COMPENSATION: $50 per study visit & some travel/parking expenses

Reproductive Outcomes of Women with Rheumatic Diseases

Are you an 18-44 year old woman who is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (also called rheumatic disease)? Do you take medication for your disease? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about reproductive decisions in women who have autoimmune diseases. This study involves completing a questionnaire once every three months. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Lupus

Other Immune System/Infections

Rheumatoid Arthritis

And 1 more area

AGE: 18-44

LOCATION: Before clinic visits, or by email, or by phone

COMPENSATION: $50 for the first survey & $25 for each subsequent survey

All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

All of Us wants at least one million people to join. Your participation can help shape the future of health for generations to come. People who join will share information. This might be about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. It might also be about family history and genes. By looking for patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations throughout Pennsylvania

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI)

Were you diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the last two years and are not currently taking standard PD medications? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand how Parkinson’s disease progresses over time. Study participation involves having physical exams, undergoing brain scans, and providing biological samples. Compensation is provided.

Chromosomal Disorders

Featured Research

Parkinson's Disease

AGE: 30 and up

DURATION: At least 5 years

LOCATION: Kaufmann Building – Oakland & Online

COMPENSATION: $100 - Screening visit; $200 - Baseline visit; $200 per annual visit

Brain Imaging Research Study – Cocaine Users

Do you currently use cocaine or have you recently used cocaine? Are you aged 18–55? You may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about two proteins in the brain that may play a role in substance use disorders. Compensation is provided.

Drugs

Featured Research

AGE: 18-55

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: At least 18 visits

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $2460

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

The PREVENTABLE Study

Are you age 75 or older? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if taking a statin drug may help older adults live well for longer by preventing dementia, disability, or heart disease. Participation in the study may last up to five years. Currently, all study visits will take place by videoconference and phone. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: 5 years

VISITS: During COVID-19, visits only via telehealth & Zoom

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: $15 after completion of baseline activities

Speech and Language Development in Adults Who Stutter

Are you aged 18-65 and currently stutter? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about how speech and language skills develop and change over time. This study will involve 1-3 sessions, each lasting about 1-3 hours. Eligible participants are native English speakers. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

Other Brain and Nervous System

Speech and Language Disorders

AGE: 18-65

DURATION: 1-3 hours each visit

VISITS: 1-2

LOCATION: Forbes Tower - Oakland & Online

COMPENSATION: $10 per hour

Women’s Biome Project – Recent Normal Mammogram

Are you a postmenopausal woman aged 55-64? Did you have a normal mammogram at a UPMC facility in the past three months? You may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about how the microbiome (the community of bacteria and microscopic organisms that live in our bodies) affects women’s health. Eligible participants have never been diagnosed with cancer. Compensation is provided.

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

VISITS: One or more

LOCATION: Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC & At home

COMPENSATION: $35 & parking

FIT BOLD Research Study

Did you recover from depression in the past two years? Are you age 60 or older? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand how lifestyle modification affects the brain in recently depressed older adults. Participants will take part in one of two healthy lifestyle programs, each facilitated by a personal coach. Compensation and travel reimbursement is provided.

DURATION: About 9 months

VISITS: Multiple

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers, Kaufmann Building, Sennott Square, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Oxford Building

COMPENSATION: Up to $340 & travel cost reimbursement

NETI Research Study

Are you a person living with HIV? Have you been taking antiretroviral drugs that have been controlling your HIV for at least two years? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an investigational vaccine called Trimer 4571 is safe and well tolerated in people living with HIV and if it will help the body’s immune system respond to HIV. Compensation is provided.

Featured Research

HIV

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: About 50 weeks

VISITS: 11

LOCATION: Falk Medical Building - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $425 & parking/travel-related expenses

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

KEYSTUDY – Parents with Bipolar Disorder

Do you have bipolar disorder? Are you the parent of a 12-17-year-old? You and your child may be able to participate in research study focused on early intervention and referrals for children at risk for developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, questionnaires, and sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 18 months

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION: Yes

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

KEYSTUDY – Age 18

Do you have a parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Are you 18 years old? You may be able to participate in a research study focused on early intervention for young people who are at risk of developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, and online sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided/no in-person visits required.

DURATION: 18 months

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION: Up to $818

15104 Seniors Project

Are you or someone you know aged 65 or older and live in the 15104 ZIP code? Learn about a research project that is studying healthy aging and what factors allow people to preserve their ability to think, remember, and solve problems over time. This study involves a yearly interview of up to 3 ½ hours for up to 5 years. Compensation provided.

DURATION: Up to 5 years

VISITS: Yearly

LOCATION: The research office located at 501 Braddock Ave, Suite 101, Braddock, PA 15104

COMPENSATION: Up to $70

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Telehealth and Memory Study

Are you a breast cancer survivor who completed chemotherapy one to five years ago? Do you have problems with your memory, concentration, and/or attention? You may be able to participate in a research study to test two treatments that may help breast cancer survivors improve cognitive function. This study involves 8 weeks of therapy completed online or by mobile phone, and optional MRI scanning.

Breast Cancer

Featured Research

Other Brain and Nervous System

Remote Research

AGE: 18 and up

DURATION: 14 hours over 9 months

LOCATION: Online (optional MRI visits at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland)

COMPENSATION: Compensation provided for optional MRI scans only

Brain Imaging/Brain Stimulation Research Study in Young Adults with Bipolar I Disorder

Are you 18-35 years old and diagnosed with bipolar I disorder? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out how noninvasive brain stimulation affects brain function in people with bipolar I disorder. Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

Featured Research

AGE: 18-35

DURATION: Up to 3 months

VISITS: 5

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $607 & parking/bus fare

DP3 Study

Are you in your first trimester of pregnancy? Are you planning to deliver at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital? You may be able to participate in an observational research study to help understand the factors that contribute to a healthy pregnancy. Study visits will overlap with your prenatal appointments, delivery, and postpartum care. Compensation is provided.

Family Health

Featured Research

Precision Medicine

Pregnancy and Postpartum Health

AGE: 18 and up

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: Up to 9 months

VISITS: Every 8 weeks ending at delivery

LOCATION: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, or Magee-Womens, UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA & by videoconference

COMPENSATION: Will receive compensation & bus/parking for each in-person study visit & will be able to keep Fitbit

A Sensorimotor Microelectrode Brain-Machine Interface

Do you have little or no ability to use your hands due to a cervical spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, or spinal stroke? Are you aged 22-70? If so, you may be eligible to take part in a research study involving brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. BMI technology uses signals recorded from the brain to control devices such as a computer or a robotic limb. Compensation provided.

Assistive Devices

Featured Research

Mobility Aids

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

And 2 more areas

AGE: 22 - 70

DURATION: 25 months

VISITS: Multiple

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $14,810 & travel costs