About Featured Research

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

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


COVID-19: Loss of Smell and Brain Function

Have you tested positive for COVID-19 and currently have symptoms? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to help understand if COVID-19 has any effect on our brains and the way we think. The study involves completing an online survey, an online cognitive test to measure brain function, and a scratch-and-sniff smell test sent by mail.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  3-6 months
VISITS:  Up to 3 remote visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online (no in-person visits)
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

None

The HERO-HCQ Study

Are you a healthcare worker who has direct exposure to patients with COVID-19? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if taking hydroxychloroquine can prevent COVID-19 infection in healthcare workers who are at a high risk for contracting the virus. Participation includes 2 in-person visits over 2 months.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  2 months
VISITS:  2 visits
Location LOCATION: 

University of Pittsburgh Asthma Institute at UPMC – Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Covid-19 test results will be provided after the study is over; Parking validation at UPMC garage

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

Brain Imaging in Heroin Users

Do you currently use heroin, or have you recently used heroin? Are you between the ages of 18-40 years old? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help learn more about the role of a protein in people with opioid use disorders. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 40

Duration DURATION:  1 month
VISITS:  About 4 visits
Location LOCATION: 

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $725 + parking fees reimbursed

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

ACTIV-2 COVID-19 Research Study

Did you test positive for COVID-19 within the past 7 days? Are you currently experiencing some symptoms of illness? You may be able to participate in a study that is evaluating the ability of various experimental medications to improve health outcomes for people with COVID-19. Participation involves up to 8 planned visits over 24 weeks. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  6 months
VISITS:  Up to 8 planned visits
Location LOCATION: 

Kaufmann Medical Building - Oakland
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

Active You: A unique physical activity program to prevent diabetes and heart disease

Are you 40-70 years old? You may be able to participate in a study to test if a video-based exercise program can be useful in helping people who are at high-risk of type 2 diabetes increase their physical activity. Study participation will last for 12 weeks. Participants are required to complete 2 assessments and 1 orientation session conducted via zoom. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   40 - 70

Duration DURATION:  12 weeks
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online & By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $70

Active You: A novel exercise program for African Americans

Are you 40-70 years old and overweight? Do you identify as African American? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a video-based exercise program can increase activity in people who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Study participation takes place entirely online. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   40 - 70

Duration DURATION:  12 weeks
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Online & By Phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Up to $70

KINETIC Research Study

Are you pregnant and planning to have a cesarean delivery at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to find out if a drug called ketamine will help women after cesarean delivery with pain and reduce the need for opioid medications. This study will be completed during the first 36 hours 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

Flu Vaccine Study – Parents of Children Aged 4-17

Are you the parent of a child age 4-17 who will receive the 2020-21 flu vaccine? If so, your child may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand children’s immune response to the flu vaccine. Children will receive the flu vaccine as a shot or nasal spray. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 1 month
VISITS:  Up to 3
Location LOCATION: 

Various locations in the Oakland area
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

Yes

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

Sweat Chloride and ADHD Medications Study – Ages 18-21

Are you aged 18-21 and currently take a prescription medication for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? If so, you may be able to participate in a 1-visit research study to help find out if people who take ADHD medications have elevated salt levels in their sweat (called sweat chloride levels). Compensation provided and parking will be validated.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 21

Duration DURATION:  1.5 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh - Lawrenceville
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$20 & parking validation

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

Healthy Lifestyle Study for Dementia Caregivers

Are you age 60 or up and are you providing unpaid care to someone with dementia for at least 15 hours per week? If so, you may be able to participate in this study to learn new ways of engaging in a healthy lifestyle. This study involves 9 visits that can take place online and/or by phone. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and older

Duration DURATION:  9 weeks
VISITS:  9
Location LOCATION: 

Online and/or by phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$60

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

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Study

Are you living with kidney disease caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)? Are you of African or Caribbean descent? If so, you may be able to participate in a study to see if you have a genetic mutation (a change in your DNA). This study involves a 30-minute visit where you will undergo a blood draw. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  30 minutes
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION: 

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh - Lawrenceville
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$30

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

Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Study

Are you a female aged 65 or older who completed treatment for breast cancer (stage I-IIIa) more than 6 months ago but less than 5 years ago? Is your daily functioning or activity affected by your cancer? You may be able to participate in a research study to help improve how rehabilitation services are provided to breast cancer survivors. No in-person visits required. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   65 and older

Duration DURATION:  Up to 21 days
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION: 

Questionnaire – Online or by mail; Interview – By phone
Compensation COMPENSATION: 

$30

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