Research Participants Needed

Researchers at The University of Alabama seek participants in studies. Brief descriptions of active projects in need of volunteers are provided along with contact information.

Note to researchers: Only projects approved by the UA Institutional Review Board are eligible for inclusion on this page. All projects submitted by students will be sent to the faculty adviser for approval. When a new project is added, a link to this page may be included in the email newsletter, Inside UA, distributed to the campus community.

Siblings Needed for Learning Study

This study by the Bama Baby Lab looks at how siblings play, interact and learn. Researchers will visit participants’ homes to record siblings and caretakers as they go about their usual daily routine for three hours. The visit lasts about 3.5 hours, and you will receive a $100 gift card at the end of the session.

Participant requirements: 

  • Primary language must be English or Spanish. 
  • Younger sibling must be over 12 months. 
  • Older sibling must be younger than 10 years. 
  • The age gap between the siblings should be 5 years or fewer. 

All information will be kept confidential. If interested, fill out the form. To learn more, contact bamababylab@gmail.com or 205-348-4257.

Adults Needed for Emotional Response Study

Participants aged 18-55 are needed for a study examining emotional responses to daily life events. Participants will meet with the research team virtually, complete an introductory questionnaire, complete tasks on a computer during an in-person lab session, and take brief surveys on their smartphones five times per day for two weeks. Participants can earn up to $200. Learn more and see if you’re eligible to participate.

Children Needed for Learning Studies

The Bama Baby Lab studies how infants and children learn. There are multiple ongoing studies for infants and children ages 10 months to 4 years. Participants attend a 2-hour long session at The University of Alabama. Researchers will observe how your child plays and learns words. You will receive $50 for participation. All information will be kept confidential. If interested, fill out the form. To learn more contact bamababylab@gmail.com or 205-348-4257.

Adults Exposed to Interpersonal Violence (Physical and/or Sexual Assault) Needed for Paid MRI Study

Researchers are interested in determining whether an acute bout of aerobic exercise enhances specific learning processes. Participants must have been exposed to interpersonal violence (i.e., physical and/or sexual assault) and be currently experiencing PTSD symptoms. Participants will be asked to complete a remote intake visit and three separate in-person visits on consecutive days at The University of Alabama MRI Research Facility on campus. Participants will complete a computer-based task in an MRI scanner. Participants must be comfortable with receiving a mild electric shock at various times while completing the task. The intensity of the mild shock is self-selected by each participant at a level they find “maximally uncomfortable but not painful.” Participants will complete a 30-minute aerobic exercise bout on a stationary cycle at one of the visits. Participants will provide saliva and blood samples at some of the visits. Total time commitment is about 8-9 hours over four visits. Participants will be compensated $200.00 for completing study procedures. For more information and to see if you’re eligible, contact the UA Exercise Psychology Lab at ua.expsych.mri@gmail.com  and say you are interested in the exercise and fear study.

Participants Needed for Study on Decision Making 

Researchers in the UA Department of Kinesiology seek participants for a study examining whether physical activity behaviors influence a specific kind of decision making. Eligible participants will complete one in-person visit of about 2 hours, completing questionnaires, providing a saliva sample and completing two computer-based tasks. Research visits will take place at Wade Hall. Participants will be compensated $40 for completing study procedures. For more information and eligibility, contact the UA Exercise Psychology Lab at uaexpsych@gmail.com and mention interest in the decision-making study. 

Postmenopausal Women Needed for Study on Cardiometabolic Health

Postmenopausal women aged 55 to 69 are needed for a study evaluating the influence of spices and yogurt on gut microbiota composition and measures of cardiometabolic health. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the maintenance of health and well-being, and the diet is among one of its strongest influencers. Participants cannot smoke or have cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders or liver disease. Participants will be compensated up to $250 for completion of the study visits. For more information, email Janie DiNatale jcdinatale@crimson.ua.edu.

Young Children, Parents Needed for Study on Screen Time 

An interdisciplinary study aiming to develop a novel device to monitor children’s screen viewing patterns seeks parents and their 3- to 5-year-old children. The children’s daily activities must include time with electronics such as television, video games, tablets or smartphones. Children participate by wearing a sensor system for two days as they go about daily activities in and outside the home. Parents keep a diary of the experience. Families will receive up to $50 for participation. For detailed information and to participate, please contact Dr. Steven Holiday at holiday@apr.ua.edu or 205-614-3362. 

Study on Prediabetes and Blood Flow Seeks Participants

Adults ages 19-55 who have prediabetes are needed for a study within the UA Department of Kinesiology. The study evaluates how blood-flow restriction exercise at a light intensity affects blood glucose levels in people with prediabetes. Participants must not be on any blood sugar medication or have other health complications. The study includes three visits to a lab, with the first being brief followed by two visits lasting less than two hours about a week apart. Participants receive $25 gift card for completion For more information, contact Tiffany Adams at tladams5@crimson.ua.edu.

Children, Young Adults Needed for Research Studies

Researchers with the Center for Youth Development and Intervention at The University of Alabama are conducting several research studies seeking child, teen and young adult participants. They include:

Clinical trial for children 6-11 with behavior issues

This study evaluates a new computerized treatment for children ages 6-11 with certain difficulties, including low empathy or concern for others that can put them at risk for developing behavioral problems. The therapy is called FAST: Facial Affect Sensitivity Training for Young Children. Participants will be randomized to either receive the new treatment or a control program. The program is free. Families will be paid up to $600 for finishing the study in either group. For more information, please visit the study’s information and screening webpage or contact coordinator Dr. Nicole Powell at cydi@ua.edu.

Children ages 6-11 are needed for a study on how they understand emotions through facial expression. Participation includes one study session at UA for about 3 hours along with computer tasks completed by children and a questionnaire completed by parents and children. Families can earn $85 for completing the study. For eligibility, contact cydi@ua.edu or call 205-348-3534.

Study on Skin Tone, Heat Effects on Wearable Tech Seeks Participants

The Department of Kinesiology seeks healthy adults ages 18-59 who do not smoke to take part in a study investigating the influence of skin tone and hot environments on the accuracy of wearable technology, such as an Apple Watch, during exercise. Volunteers across a range of skin tones are needed. Testing will require two visits to a lab over one week each lasting about 2 hours and includes 40 minutes of cycling. For more information, contact Annie Mulholland at ammulholland@crimson.ua.edu or 205-336-2298.

Sleep Study Seeks African American, White Adults

African American and white adults ages 40 to 70 are needed to participate in a sleep research study within the UA Department of Psychology. Each person will come to the campus sleep laboratory for 2.5 to 3 hours, and then be sent home with a sleep monitor. After one week, participants will return the monitor to receive a personalized sleep report. Participants can be paid up to $75. For more information visit the Capstone Sleep Lab or email capstonesleeplab@gmail.com

Teens and Parents Needed for Study

The UA Department of Psychology seeks teenagers aged 13-15 with behavioral or emotional issues and a parent to participate in a free screening. About an hour will required to come to campus for questionnaires and role-play activities that examine personality and behavior, receiving feedback on whether the teen should receive formal diagnostic testing as well as resources to seek out testing. For completion, families will receive $40, split between the teen and parents. For eligibility requirements, please provide information online or contact researchers at 205-614–3118, PASBAstudy@gmail.com or visit Dr. Randall Salekin’s lab website.

Children Needed for Reading Study

A study investigating difficulties in reading comprehension in autistic children needs autistic children and typically-developing children ages 7-13 to investigate brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, technology. Participation involves about 3-4 hours of testing outside the scanner with breaks in between sections and an hour-and-a-half fMRI scan. Participants can be compensated up to $125 for the first scan and tests with an additional $125 for the follow-up scan and tests, 12 weeks later. If interested, please call 205-202-0616, email cbralab@ua.edu or fill out a form on study’s webpage at cbra.ua.edu/brainread.html.

Study of transition support program seeks young people with autism spectrum disorder

People with autism spectrum disorder aged 16-25 and a parent or informant are needed for an up to 18-week study testing the impact of the Stepped Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Education Success program, which is designed to support transition to growing independence among autistic adolescents and young adults. STEPS is highly individualized to meet the unique needs of each person. If found eligible, the individual would be randomly assigned to get either STEPS or community-based services. Participants can earn up to $240 for completion of study requirements. Contact abmcclain@ua.edu if interested or visit its webpage.

Institute for Rural Health Research Seeks Participants for National Research Study

“All of Us,” the largest and most diverse health research program funded by the National Institutes for Health, needs participants to provide health information so researchers can learn more about community health. Managed locally by the Institute for Rural Health Research, the research program provides a $25 gift card after completing the enrollment journey. To learn more about the program, please call 205-348-6991, email at allofus@ua.edu or visit joinallofus.org/uamedcenter

Study on Relationship of Sleep, Weight Seeks Participants

A study led by health science researchers seek participants for a one-week sleep study that investigates the relationship between body composition and sleep and their role in developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Study include collection of health data in the lab and a sleep study and assessment with provided Fitbits at home. Study participants will receive a $200 gift card and results from all cardiovascular and metabolic tests conducted. For more information on the study and to sign up, visit uasleepstudy.com.

Study on Oral Microbiome’s Connection to Vascular Health Needs Middle-Aged Men

Researchers in the UA Department of Human Nutrition need males age 40 to 60 for a research study to evaluate the relationship between the oral microbiome and blood pressure. The research will characterize the oral microbiome among individuals with different blood pressure classifications and determine dietary habits that support a healthy oral microbiome. Participants will attend a one-hour clinic visit in Russell Hall for a vascular assessment, blood and saliva sample, and a dietary questionnaire. Participants may qualify if they do not have cardiovascular or periodontal disease. Compensation includes $10 and information about current cardiovascular health. If interested in participating or obtaining more information, contact Katelyn Senkus at kesenkus@crimson.ua.edu.

African American Participants Needed for Study on Stress and Health

Participants are needed for a research study from the UA Department of Psychology. Those eligible will wear a blood pressure cuff while completing brief, anonymous questionnaires that assess social interactions, stress and blood pressure on a cell phone for four days. An initial, hour-long visit with researchers is required. Participants will receive $100 for completing the study. Participants must be aged 35-70. People are not eligible if they have Stage 2 hypertension or a resting blood pressure greater 160/100 mmHg, frequent illicit drug use, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, permanent neurological deficit, shift work schedule, or current pregnancy. To find out if you’re eligible and let us know you’re interested, please complete this surveyFor more information, contact herdlab3@gmail.com or 205-578-8542.

Teens, Caregivers Wanted for Sleep Study

To learn more about the sleep health of high school students, researchers in the UA Department of Psychology seek participants aged 14-17 along with their families for the Teen Sleep Health Study. This study can be completed via mail or online from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Adolescents who complete both parts of the study can receive up to $63, and their parent can receive up to $48. Those interested in participating and learning more can email the researchers at sleephealth@ua.edu as well as call or text at 205-523-5520.