University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
http://www.umn.edu/
612-625-5000

Past Research Projects

2022 Research Projects

Principal Investigator(s) Study Title Description
Adams, Tolan & Choi The Great Minnesota Earwax Study What’s in your earwax? We will show you the inside of your ear as we photograph it with a tiny camera and will ask you about your ear cleaning habits and health. We will gently take a sample with a cotton swab to learn what bacteria naturally live inside your ear canal. The information you provide will help us design new ways to promote healthy ears and to treat infections.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Anand & Rao Judge Comedians! Win a painting! Come judge a few comedians we might invite to a UMN event! In exchange, win a UMN bag and a chance to win a painting! All you have to do is see some stand-up comedy clips and answer a few questions.
Eligibility: Age 18+, American citizen
Austin, Rajamani & Marquard What’s in your App? The objectives of this study are to understand the various types and use of health, fitness and well-being related apps. We will also explore the opinions of consumers regarding sharing of health data app with providers, healthcare, family/friends and their understanding of data exchange using apps.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Benbenek Patients Engaged! The purpose of this descriptive survey study, D2D Patients Engaged! is to gain understanding of patient experiences and perspectives on expectations, preferences, barriers and satisfaction regarding the delivery of primary care health services in Minnesota.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Borofsky Time to Talk About Overactive Bladder Overactive bladder (OAB) a common condition that affects how, when and how people urinate. Dietary factors such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages can affect this. We want to know what you know about this common condition that can be improved with simple lifestyle changes. Take a brief survey to help us understand your knowledge!
Eligibility: Age 18+
Butler Heathcare Multiverse The Project for Advancing Healthcare Stewardship (PAHS) is a collaboration aimed at creating a community engaged in conversations about health and health care. We want to understand how others define the idea of stewardship. We will be collecting data via a survey and an audiotaped interview.
Eligibility: Adults age 18+, Able to make their own medical decisions
Covington Remember This! Come test your memory! You will complete a memory test that takes less than 15 minutes and fill out a brief survey. We want to improve how we test memory in healthcare settings. Try our new test and tell us what you think!
Eligibility: Age 18+
Dusenbery People Helping People: Better Understanding Sarcoma This study is in conjunction with Rein In Sarcoma Foundation, and aims to survey the State Fair population to collect information on current awareness of sarcoma as well as to understand the ways in which fairgoers prefer to learn about rare medical conditions such as sarcoma. After survey completion, the study aims to educate participants on sarcoma and answer questions that may arise.
Eligibility: Age 18+, MN resident
Duval Let Us Knock Your Socks Off! We plan to obtain survey data from volunteer participants aged ≥60 years regarding their knowledge of peripheral artery disease (PAD), its risk factors, symptoms, and outcomes. We will also collect demographic data from participants to allow calculation of a risk score for the presence of PAD. In addition, we will offer to perform a non-invasive screening (e.g. measure their ABI, PVR, and/or similar screening), to assess for PAD.
Eligibility: Age 60+
Ellingson & Abbott LIMBERjack: Come Test your Joint Mobility! We are trying to understand how joint mobility and joint function are related to improve lives of people with chronic pain.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Finestack Kid Talk: How Do Kids Use Language? English is complicated! How do kids learn to use this complicated language? In this study, kids will play some some listening and talking games, parents will provide information about their child’s development, and kids will receive a prize!
Eligibility: Kids age 5-8 years, Typically developing, English is child’s first language
Flynn Tooth or Consequences How does your experience of dental care impact your quality of life? Help us find out by completing a brief survey and quick visual dental check. Spin the wheel to win a thank you gift!
Eligibility: Age 18+ survey & quick dental check with no instruments
Griffin – hands Lend a Hand to 3D Scans Get your hand 3D scanned! YOUR HAND is crucial to improving the fit, function, and innovation of products for hands! Help us improve the design of gloves, tools, and the countless products that your hand touches daily.
Eligibility: Age 15+
Griffin – mask Does Your Mask Fit U? Help us understand mask fit! Get your head 3D scanned and see how you fit a common N95 mask.
Eligibility: Age 5+
Grundman & Larsen To Vax or Not to Vax? Your Choice, Your Voice! In a global pandemic, we want to know: Who was the first to roll up their sleeves? Who was more cautious? From everyone we want to know why you did or didn’t. From women we want to know if you saw it affect your period, or were worried about the jab harming your pregnancy, fertility or all of the above!
Eligibility: Age 18+
Guzmán You Can Save Oak Trees! Like humans, trees also suffer diseases. Many times we can save trees from diseases or slow down the disease propagation among them by knowing the symptoms and treatments. This study aims to quantify the widespread knowledge of the oak wilt disease through surveys, an invasive fungal pathogen that kills thousands of trees every year across the US. In retribution, we provide an educational video to participants that can be freely distributed where they will learn how to detect oak wilt and perhaps how to save your tree and your neighbour’s tree.
Eligibility: All ages welcome! Kids under 12 must have a parent / guardian present
Herbers & Johnson Let’s Check Your Balance! Balance is an important aspect of everyday life; we need it for walking on a tight rope just as much as we need it for standing up from a chair. This study will use wearable sensors to assess how well you can balance during a variety of tasks. We encourage everyone over 18 to participate, and we specifically are looking for people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s to participate in the study.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Honebrink & Peterson Sink or Swim: Surveying the Depths of Minnesotans’ Desire for Locally Grown Seafood Minnesotans love fishing, but do they have an appetite for locally grown seafood? Our team will survey fairgoers to determine your thoughts and preferences on seafood consumption. You will have an opportunity to learn about the emerging world of Minnesota aquaculture and sample a locally grown aquaculture product.
Eligibility: Age 18+, MN resident
Hooke & Tucker How Does Your Child Mooove? Physical activity is an important part of health. In our study we want to learn more about physical activity in young children ages 3 to 7. We will ask young children do some physical game activities and measure how many seconds it takes to complete them. We will ask their parent to complete physical activity survey questions about their child and their own physical activity. We will be analyzing how these measurements relate to each other.
Eligibility: Parent of child age 3-7; Child ages 3-7; Child able to follow simple directions
Huang & Quick mHealth and Traumatic Dental Injuries The purpose of the research is to develop and evaluate the use of a smartphone camera in remote assessments of dental injuries. We request you to let us take some photographs of your (or your child’s) teeth with a smartphone. The dental photos will be stored securely in clouded storage, and a dental professional will review photos later as part of the research. The study could provide a foundation for implementing an online emergency support scheme, benefiting not only rural populations but also urban residents when access to health care is limited by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligibility: Fairgoers are invited to participate in the study if responding to the question Have you ever experienced injuries to your tooth? with a yes. Only (a) those aged 6 or older, and (b) able to provide informed consent (≥ 18 years of age) or parent permission (6-17 years of age), will be included.
Johnson This is America Kids, here’s a chance to use your artistic talent to illustrate how you see America. You pick the drawing materials-crayon? markers? colored pencils? Then use your creative talent to show others how you see this country. This is America. What do you see? Draw a picture and be part of an international study that spans 40 years.
Eligibility: Children ages 9-12
Karnik Looking for a Career Switch? Is this your dream job? You have heard the great resignation wave. Well, this great resignation wave has not spared public health departments. We want to understand what you value in a job, so try and make public health jobs more appealing and satisfying to you.
Eligibility: Age 18-35, Less than 5 years of full-time work experience, Bachelors degree or less, No prior work experience with a local public health department / agency
Kowalewski Handheld Drawing Robots Experience the future of handheld robotics. Draw a fine line nearly impossible for a human to draw. Tell us about your experience.
Eligibility: Age: 18+ for survey; Age: 0-99 for the experience!
LaLiberte & Piescher Child Protection – Are we getting it right? Child abuse has an enormous negative impact on children, their families, and on our community. Do you know what child abuse and neglect are? How do you think the community should respond? Who should be responsible for responding? And, how are those who are currently responsible doing? Come tell us your thoughts.
Eligibility: Age 18+, MN Resident, Not currently employed in state, county, or tribal child protective services
Lieberz & Borstad Learn What Your Numbers Predict! The purpose of this study is to further develop the Mobility Checkup, a preventative model of physical therapy care for older adults. The Mobility Checkup has two parts, measurement of physical performance and education. In previous studies we learned older adults prefer a short duration visit with an emphasis on balance assessment. In this study we will evaluate physical performance and educate participants regarding the meaning of their results. Participants will complete a survey to share their knowledge and opinions about the education received. The information will be used to further develop the Mobility Checkup.
Eligibility: 55 years of age or older, Walk with or without an assistive device
Looman & Geiger-Simpson Tip Top Kids 3 We want to know how kids are feeling about their life in general, and how much this changes over time. We’re asking teens and kids to draw a line to show us the ups and downs of their quality of life over the past year, and to answer a few survey questions about how they think and feel in general.
Eligibility: Kids and teens ages 8-17 (kids under 16 must have a parent present)
McCarty & Anderson Judge the Jab Vaccine hesitancy is currently a critical public health topic, with large variations in hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination across the state of Minnesota. The purpose of this study is to quantify perceptions, knowledge, and actions about vaccination to inform efforts to improve vaccination rates in Minnesota.
Eligibility: Age 12+, MN resident
McGee Sun’s Out, Thumb’s Out The thumb is what makes the human hand so unique and useful, but how far it can normally reach/stretch away from the hand is not known. Occupational therapists and hand surgeons need to know these values to set goals and evaluate the success of their treatment for people with hand weakness. Let us measure your hand to better understand thumbs!
Eligibility: Age 4-21, No history of hand problems
McGovern I like to move it, move it: Come walk with us! Our research study aims to better understand balance and walking in healthy adults as a means to compare data to patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This study uses small wearable devices that attach to your clothing and can measure your body’s location while performing walking and balance tests. This will help us understand how your body responds to these tests. You’ll even get to see your own avatar-like person within our software!
Eligibility: Age 18+
Misono & Weinstein Your VOICE matters! Our voice is our identity ,and issues with it can affect our lives in a big way. Unfortunately, studies have had a hard time figuring out who is having voice issues. By filling out a brief survey, you will help us know how people use their voice from day to day, and if and when their voices are giving them trouble. Whether you like to sing in a choir, or prefer to be quiet, we want to hear from you! This information can help us learn to identify those with voice disorders so they can get the care they need.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Morris & Craig Shuttle ahead! Follow or pass? The study will assess drivers’ decision making on whether they will wait after or pass by a shuttle bus with advanced features.
Eligibility: 18 years or older, Licensed Driver
Pianosi Short of Breath during Exercise? Breathing difficulty during physical activity is common in adolescents and may continue into adulthood. There are many causes for exertional dyspnea (EID) other than asthma. We wish to estimate prevalence, characteristics, & consequences of exertional dyspnea among MN youth.
Eligibility: Ages 12-24
Radomski Got Purpose? Your sense of purpose and meaning in daily life is important to your health and well-being. Take our 15-minute survey to help us explore how people like you think about purpose and meaning in everyday life.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Saini & Ludewig Shoulder Junction: What’s Your Function? Test your shoulder muscle function with us! See your muscle activity in real time using our specialized stick-on electrodes. It’s quick, easy, painless, and FUN!
Eligibility: Adults 18-60
Sasisekaran Speaking and Thinking: How it works? The Speech Fluency Lab is seeking participants, both children and adults, to participate in research studies. Participants will engage in computer tasks and assessments, and give a speech sample.
Eligibility: Interested in joining us on the Twin Cities campus at the Speech Fluency Lab? We want you!
Schorr & Theesfeld Know Your Numbers to Control Your Risk! Rate your cardiovascular disease risk first. Then you will be provided with educational materials on steps you can take to reduce your cardiovascular disease risk, as well as receive an estimated risk for heart attack and stroke based on a series of questions and measurements. Spin the wheel for a chance to walk away with a Garmin activity tracker!
Eligibility: Age 30+
Spector 10,000 Families Study 10,000 Families (10KFS) is a study of family health in Minnesota. 10KFS invites families to participate over time with the purpose of understanding the influences of genetics, lifestyle, and environment on health and illness. We are committed to welcoming families from every community across Minnesota and to taking participation opportunities on the road to greater Minnesota. Come find out about our new environmental exposures project, and join us in this discovery adventure that will improve health for future generations!
Eligibility: 1st participant: 18+ living in MN; Other family members must live in MN, ND, SD, IA, or WI and can be any age.
Strutt Finger Blood Flow, on a (selfie) stick A harmless, needle free smartphone application that measures finger blood flow to help diagnosis conditions such as dehydration in kids. Help us determine normal values of finger blood flow in kids aged 1 month to 17 years.
Eligibility: Kids aged 1 month – 17 years
Thielen Got Snot? The goal of our study is to understand how the microbes that live in your child’s respiratory tract, specifically in the nose, affect his or her risk for ear infections, colds, pneumonias, and other types of respiratory disease caused by viruses. For more info, go to z.umn.edu/minnelove
Eligibility: Children less than 5 years old as of November 1, 2022
Toff What on Earth Do You Mean? We want to hear what you think about the environment! This brief public opinion survey is designed to better understand what people think about environmental issues and public policies aimed at tackling such matters. Our project is designed to investigate not only what people think and why but how different ways of communicating about environmental issues affect people’s opinions about these topics.
Eligibility: Age 18+
Tracy COVID-19: Tell Us Your Story Did you have COVID-19 in the past year? Tell us about your symptoms, lasting effects and things that helped you recover.
Eligibility: Positive COVID-19 test within the past 12 months AND Had at least one symptom AND Age 18+ at the time
Vinogradov All Aboard the Brain Train Our ability to learn, remember, think about things, and solve problems is a very important aspect of our daily lives. These processes are known as cognition, and doctors often consider their patients’ cognitive abilities during evaluation and treatment for both physical and mental health conditions. In the CoTIPP Lab, we are very interested in discovering new ways to measure cognitive abilities and their changes over time. We are studying games on an iPad or laptop that test various aspects of cognition, such as attention, memory, and reaction time. These games will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Eligibility: Aged 18-50, No history of moderate to severe TBI (requiring hospitalization), No use of alcohol or illicit substances in the last 8 hours
Warlick & Borofsky Prostate Cancer 101 Have you talked to your doctor about prostate cancer screening recently? Don’t worry! We are here to give you all the information you need on prostate cancer screening in a short and entertaining video. We will ask you to fill out a survey to test your knowledge of the subject before and after de video. This study aims to assess the value of the educational video on expanding the knowledge of men about prostate cancer screening.
Eligibility: Males age 40+
Whitwam Create a Healthier Future! Have you ever participated in a health research study? Volunteers play a key role in research and make new discoveries possible. Advancing health and healthcare for everyone means that we need people from different backgrounds, ages, genders, races, and ethnicities to participate. Some research studies need volunteers with certain conditions and some are open to healthy volunteers. Talk with us about how to get involved in University of Minnesota research and spin the wheel for a prize!
Eligibility: All ages
Williams Calling all STRONG Women! We are interested in gathering anonymous opinions and views on the receipt of care concerning health screenings and mental and emotional well-being from women age 18 years and up. Participants will complete a survey for a range of topics unique to women’s health care from menstruation to pregnancy and beyond. Results will be used to inform future clinical studies on the receipt of healthcare for women of all ages and backgrounds.
Eligibility: Women aged 18 years and older

2021 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Investigators / Department Estimated Enrollment
(# of 5-hour shifts)
The Great Minnesota Earwax Study! Age 18+ Meredith Adams, MD & Douglas Chieffe, MD & Steven Zuniga, MD
Medical School Otolaryngology
831 (4)
Interest Survey for Virtual Reality Experiments Age 18+ Sahar Aseeri & Evan Suma Rosenberg, PhD
CSE Computer Science & Engineering
104 (1)
Show Us Your Strengths! Age 18+ Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, DC, RN-BC & Sripriya Rajamani, MBBS, PhD, MPH, FAMIA & Karen Monsen, PhD, RN, FAMIA, FAAN
School of Nursing Population Health Systems Coop
188 (3)
Got Shots? Age 18+ Mary Benbenek, PhD
School of Nursing Child Family Health Cooperative
363 (2)
The F5 Storm: What’s our opportunity? Age 16+ Shane Bowyer, EdD
College of Business Management
264 (2)
Let us knock your socks off! Age 60+ Sue Duval, PhD
Medical School Cardiology
Talking and Thinking: How are they connected? Ages 4-10 & parent, normal hearing Kerry Ebert, PhD
CLA Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
144 (4)
Let’s talk about sex….. education! MN resident, parent/guardian of child age 5-18 (including biological, adoptive, step) Marla Eisenberg, ScD, MPH
Medical School Pediatrics
377 (5)
Self-Driving Shuttles Coming to Minnesota Age 18+ Yingling Fan, PhD & Frank Douma, MPH, JD
Humphrey School of Public Affairs Urban & Regional Planning Area
295 (2)
Social Media & the Sun: A Survey for Teens and Young Adults Ages 13-25 Fiessinger
Medical School Dermatology
221 (1)
The PREC(ar)IOUS Family Study Aged 18 or older; currently employed or looking for work; provide primary financial and caretaking support to a child, elder, or disabled family member. Renada Goldberg, PhD
School of Social Work
74 (1)
Face Scanning & Mask Fit Must be 4-18 years old OR over 55 Linsey Griffin, PhD
College of Design Design, Housing & Apparel
115 (4)
Perceptions on Teledentistry Age 18+ Angela Hastings, DMD & Susan Buck-Wischmeier, DDS
School of Dentistry Outreach
484 (3)
How Does Your Child Mooove? Kids ages 3-7 and their parents Casey Hooke, PhD & Carole Tucker, PhD
School of Nursing
#WeAskU-MN: #consent for pelvic exams Age 18+, female or in need of pelvic exam, MN resident Sarah Hutto, MD, MPH
Medical School Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health
254 (2)
This Is America Ages 9-12 Jacqueline Johnson, PhD
UMN-Morris, Political Science
Memorable COVID-19 Messages at Work Age 18+, frontline/essential worker Anne Kerber, PhD
Communication Studies
148 (2)
The Great Minnesota Get-Together: What Makes it So? Age 18+ Nawojka Lesinski, PhD
St. Kate’s Political Science
344 (3)
Show us your TUFF! Age 55+, no recent injuries Dalerie Lieberz, PhD, PT & Marilyn Moffett, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS & Alexandra Borstad, PhD, PT
St. Scholastica Physical Therapy
179 (2)
Tip Top Kids Kids and adolescents ages 8 – 17 (kids ages 12 and under must have a parent or guardian present) Wendy Looman, PhD
School of Nursing Child and Family Health
135 (3)
How Do Your Genes Fit? Age 18+, MN resident Catherine McCarty, PhD, MPH, MSB, HEC-C
Medical School – Duluth Family Medicine & Biobehavioral Health
815 (5)
Judge the Jab Age 18+ MN resident McCarty & Doheny
Medical School – Duluth Family Medicine & Biobehavioral Health
1001 (4)
Have a GRIP on things? Come and prove it! Adults age 18-49, no pre-existing health problems that affect the hands Corey McGee, PhD, MS
Sun’s Out, Thumbs Out Ages 4-21, no history of hand problems Corey McGee, PhD, MS & Leah Johnson, MS
Allied Health, Occupational Therapy
I like to move it, move it: Come walk with us! Age 18+ Robert McGovern, MD
Medical School Neurosurgery
164 (8)
I Can’t Drive 55 Must be a licensed driver Nichole Morris, PhD & Curtis Craig, PhD
CSE Mechanical Engineering
322 (2)
People Helping People: Better Understanding Sarcoma Age 18+, MN resident Kristine Nachbor, MS & Kathryn Dusenbery, MD
Medical School
223 (2)
Blood Pressure On a Stick Age 18+, diagnosed high BP, not pregnant Ann Philbrick, PharmD
College of Pharmacy & Medical school Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems/ Dept of Family Medicine & Community Health
75 (2)
Say What? Help us eliminate the need for Doctor-to-English translation Age 18+, no prior medical training Michael Pitt, MD & Jordan Marmet, MD
Medical School Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine
626 (3)
Safe at School? Age 18+, MN resident Ceema Samimi, PhD, MSSW, MPA
CEHD Social Work
271 (3)
Maple Syrup: You be the Judge! Age 18+ Stephen Saupe, PhD
CSB/SJU Biology
70 (1)
Freshwater Sponges and Citizen Scientists! Open to everyone! Kids under 12 need parent/guardian Anthony Schroeder, PhD & Timothy Dudley, PhD & Venu Mukku, PhD
Math, Science, and Technology
250 (4)
Aging in Motion Age 55+ Russell Spafford, MS & Dereck Salisbury, PhD
School of Nursing
216 (3)
10,000 Families Study The first family member needs to: live in Minnesota; be at least 18 years old; have at least one adult family member or child under age 18 living in MN, WI, IA, ND, or SD. Logan Spector, PhD
Medical School Department of Pediatrics, Division of Epidemiology & Clinical Research
411 (12)
You’ve Got the Whole (Microbial) World in Your Hands Visited at least one animal exhibit today at the fair. Parent/Guardian consent for kids under 18. Ali Strickland, MPH & Craig Hedberg, PhD
SPH Division of Environmental Health Sciences
180 (2)
Is Exercise Medicine? Age 18+ Amy Toonstra, PT, DPT, CCS & Kristin Lefebvre, PT, PhD, CCS
College of Health & Science Physical Therapy
193 (1)
No peeking! Where is your hand? Children ages 3 to 17. Individuals under age 14 must be with a parent or guardian. No history of neurological disorders. No current damage on the finger, hand or forearm. Lucie Turcotte, MD, MPH & Juergen Konczak, PhD
Medical School Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
183 (6)
Now that’s a Fair Question! Age 18+ Madhura Vachon, MPH & Craig Hedberg, PhD
SPH Environmental Health Sciences
1003 (6)
All Aboard the Brain Train 2021 Ages 18-80 Sophia Vinogradov, MD
Medical School Psychiatry
The Social Situation Game Ages 12-17 Sophia Vinogradov, MD & Michael Bronstein, PhD
Medical School Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
40 (2)
You and Your Uterus: Could This Be Cancer? Age 18+, female sex Meredith Wise, MD & Britt Erickson, MD & Carrie Terrell, MD
Medical School Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health/Gynecologic Oncology
727 (4)

2020 Research Projects


There was no MN State Fair in 2020

2019 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Investigators / Department Estimated Enrollment
(# of 5-hour shifts)
Combating Invasive Carp via Genetic Engineering Age 18+ Michael Smanski, PhD
CBS, BMBB and Biotechnology Institute
701 (3)
Hello! My Name is IGDI: Testing Preschool Literacy Children 4 years old Scott McConnell, PhD & Alisha Wackerle-Hollman, PhD
CEHD, Educational Psychology
115 (3)
Where does my money go? Age 18+ Virginia Zuiker, PhD
CEHD, Family Social Science
670 (3)
24-Carrot Advice Age 18+ Staci Gallahue & Leonard Marquart, PhD, RD
CFANS, Food Science and Nutrition
952 (4)
The Nutrient Cascade: How Fresh is your Freshwater? Age 18+ Leanna Leverich
CFANS, Soil, Water & Climate
597 (2)
Got milk? Goat milk? Oat milk? Age 18+ Kota Minegishi, PhD
CFANS, Applied Economics
1344 (7)
Bug Appetit All ages Sujaya Rao, PhD
CFANS, Entomology
123 (1)
Can you hear me? Check it hear! Age 18+ Evelyn Davies-Venn, PhD
CLA, Speech-Language-Hearing-Sciences
368 (3)
Is that a yes or no? Children aged 4-10 years with typical development Timothy Huang, MS & Lizbeth Finestack, PhD
CLA, Speech-Language-Hearing-Sciences
65 (2)
Are You Sure About That? Ages 18-80, normal or corrected-to-normal vision Iris Vilares, PhD
CLA, Psychology
150 (3)
You be the judge! Age 18+ Charlene Zhang & Nathan Kuncel, PhD
CLA, Psychology
410 (2)
Lend a HAND for 3D SCANS Ages 15+ Linsey Griffin, PhD
College of Design, Design, Housing, & Apparel
410 (7)
Strong bodies, Strong minds Families with preschool and elementary-aged children Mary Stenson, PhD & Catherine Bohn-Gettler, PhD
College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, Exercise Science and Sports Studies
68 (1)
Got [my kind of] milk? Age 18+ Julie Adamchick, DVM & Andres Perez, DVM, PhD
College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Population Medicine
918 (3)
Under Pressure Age 18+ Kristin Lefebvre, DPT & Amy Toonstra, DPT
Concordia University, Doctor of Physical Therapy
106 (1)
Got Staph? Age 18+ Mandy Brosnahan, PhD & Taylor Mach, PhD
Concordia University, Science
242 (1)
Top Drone Ages 18 and older, normal vision or vision corrected to normal by contact lenses Courtney Hutton & Evan Suma Rosenberg, PhD
CSE, Computer Science & Engineering
22 (1)
Why did the chicken cross the RCI? Age 18+, Licensed Driver, No history of motion, sea, or car sickness, No medical issues that restrict driving Nichole Morris, PhD & Curtis Craig, PhD
CSE, Mechanical Engineering
340 (4)
Create your own 3D Avatar Age 10+ Hyun Soo Park, PhD
CSE, Computer Science and Engineering
450 (6)
CoRobotic Printing: Can you outperform a surgeon? Age 18+ Rebecca Smith & Timothy Kowalewski, PhD
CSE, Mechanical Engineering
Guided Navigation in Virtual Reality 20/20 (or corrected to 20/20) vision, no history of severe motion sickness, not currently pregnant Evan Suma Rosenberg, PhD
CSE, Computer Science & Engineering
72 (2)
Potholes and politics: How to patch them up? All MN residents aged 18+ Kathy Quick, PhD
Humphrey School of Public Affairs
884 (4)
Contrasperm: the Future of Male Birth Control People aged 18-45 years, Currently or previously sexually active, Use of birth control to prevent pregnancy Christy Boraas, MD
Medical School, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health
605 (4)
The Mystery of Palliative Care Age 18+ Chen Chen, MD & Deanna Teoh, MD
Medical School, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health, Gynecologic Oncology
1608 (4)
Let’s Talk About Sex Age 18+ Jennifer Connor, PhD & Abby Girard, PsyD
Medical School, Family Medicine & Community Health
555 (3)
The Brain Games Ages 12-25 Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel, PhD, LP
Medical School, Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
445 (6)
The Menopause Study Women who are peri or post-menopausal Manda Keller-Ross, PhD, DPT
Medical School, Physical Therapy
500 (6)
Circumcision: A Complicated Issue Age 18+ Jane Lewis, MD
Medical School, Urology
1000 (6)
Measure of a man or just a mess? Opinions on male sexual functions Age 18+, sexually active Maria Ordonez, MD
Medical School, Urology
200 (2)
CMV @ D2D Kids age 0-5 and their parents, MN resident Logan Spector, PhD & Mark Schleiss, MD
Medical School, Pediatrics
150 (3)
What do Women Want?? Living Longer, Living Well for Women over 60 Women aged 60 and over Carrie Terrell, MD
Medical School, Dept of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health
317 (2)
No peeking! Where is your hand? Children ages 3 to 17, individuals age 14 years and younger must be with a parent or guardian Lucie Turcotte, MD & Jürgen Konczak, PhD
Medical School, Pediatrics
167 (6)
Your Sneak Peek into your body Ages 18 and older, not currently pregnant Ann Van de Winckel, PhD
Medical School, Division of Physical Therapy, Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
344 (3)
All Aboard the Brain Train Aged 18-80 Sophia Vinogradov, MD
Medical School, Psychiatry
330 (5)
Test Your Sunscreen IQ! Age 18+ Lindsey Voller
Medical School, Dermatology
496 (1)
To Mesh or Not To Mesh? Females ages 18 and older, Males ages 18 and older with a current female partner Danielle Westenberg, MD & John Fischer, MD
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health
1200 (4)
What’s preventing the prevention? Women age 18 or older Annelise Wilhite, MD & Rahel Ghebre, MD
Medical School, Gynecologic Oncology
1649 (4)
You’re a Citizen Scientist! Everybody! Sarah Coleman, MBA
Medical School, Psychiatry
81 – Recruitment Only (1)
Cheese, curd you contribute to eating disorders research? Females ages 18 to 55 Scott Crow, MD
Medical School, Psychiatry
161 – Recruitment Only (2)
Brain Health in Girls and Young Women: The Future is Female! Females, ages 12-24 Kathryn Cullen, MD
Medical School, Psychiatry
339 – Recruitment Only (5)
10,000 Families Study Do you live in Minnesota? Do you have a family member living in Minnesota? Are you 18 years or older? Logan Spector, PhD
Medical School, Pediatrics
1178 – Recruitment Only (10)
Brains on a Stick! Youth ages 8-16, Parent/Guardian of an 8-16 year old Jeff Wozniak, PhD, LP
Medical School, Psychiatry
48 – Recruitment Only (2)
Your dentist said what? Parents of children between the ages of 9 and 17 Cyndee Stull, MDH & Elise Sarvas, DDS
School of Dentistry, Dept of Dental Primary Care/Division of Dental Hygiene
219 (3)
How Does Your Child Mooove? Parents of children ages 2 to 7 years who are meeting developmental milestones Casey Hooke, PhD & Carole Tucker, PhD
School of Nursing
224 (2)
Tip Top Kids Kids & adolescents ages 2 – 17 Wendy Looman, PhD & Peter Scal, MD
School of Nursing
374 (3)
#Time’s Up Healthcare Age 18 and over, Currently employed in healthcare (providing direct patient care or contact) or a health professions student Carrie Neerland, PhD & Sarah Hoffman, PhD
School of Nursing
512 (3)
The CLIMB Child Registry Adults with children younger than 18 Barbara Beacham, PhD, RN
School of Nursing
420 – Recruitment Only (5)
Swishin’ and a Swabbin’ for Science Smokers/Vapers: ages 18 older, Non-Smoker/Vaper: ages 18-50, Kids ages 7-17, No history of cancer or autoimmune diagnosis Silvia Balbo, PhD
School of Public Health, Masonic Cancer Center & Enviromental Health Sciences
158 (4)
Flu Shot or Not? 1) Adults aged 18-40 and over 65, 2) MN State Resident Kimberly Bonner, & Nicole Basta, PhD
School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health
1800 (9)
Guardians of the Healthcare Galaxy: Defining Stewardship Age 18+ Mary Butler, PhD
School of Public Health, Health Policy & Mgmt
576 (3)
What Do You Know About Risks for Cancer? Age 21+ Collin Calvert, MPH
School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology/Community Health
1730 (5)
Dine or Dash? 18+ years of age, MN Resident Melanie Firestone, MPH & Craig Hedberg, PhD
School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences
1188 (4)
Are you caring for someone with memory loss? Age 18+, caring for someone with memory loss Joe Gaugler, PhD
School of Public Health, Health Policy & Mgmt
Recruitment Only (2)
The Veggie Meter Study Age 18-65, No Chronic Disease Diagnosis, BMI 18.5 – 29.9, Not Pregnant Melissa Laska, PhD, RD
School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Community Health
144 – Recruitment Only (2)
Toys Designed and Tested by Kids for Kids Children 18 months to 5 years old Abigail Clarke-Sather, PhD
UM-Duluth, Center for Transportation Studies, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
54 (2)

2018 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Investigators / Department Estimated Enrollment
(# of 5-hour shifts)
Elderly Health Care Needs Ages 16 + Hossein Akhavi-Pour, PhD
Hamline University, School of Business
254 (2)
Swishin’ and a Swabbin’ for Science Smokers, vapors, & smokeless tobacco users ages 18 +
OR non-tobacco or e-cigarette users age 8 +
Silvia Balbo, PhD
SPH, Environmental Health Sciences
191 (4)
Like Share Follow: #MNResearch MN resident, ages 18 + Joyce (Joy) Balls-Berry, PhD
Mayo Clinic, Community Engagement in Research Program
487 (3)
Feel the Good Vibrations! Ages 18 + Victor Barocas, PhD
Amy Moeller, MD
CSE, Biomedical Engineering
102 (4)
CLIMB the pathway to better illness management Children under 18 years of age
diagnosed with a lifelong health condition
and their family
Barbara Beacham, PhD, MSN, RN
School of Nursing
95 – Recruitment
Only (5)
Is Precious Metal Mining Sustainable in Minnesota? Ages 18 + Ryan Bergstrom, PhD
Afton Clarke-Sather, PhD
UM Duluth, CLA, Geography, Urban, Environment & Sustainability Studies
117 (1)
Let’s (NOT) make a baby: Perspectives on Long-Acting Birth Control Women aged 18-40
not currently pregnant
never had a hysterectomy or tubal sterilization (‘tubes tied’)
sexually active with male(s) in last 12 months
not desiring to be pregnant for at least a year
Christy Boraas, MD, MPH
Medical School, Ob/Gyn and Women’s Health
421 (3)
Got Staph? Ages 18 + Amanda Brosnahan, PhD
Taylor Mach, PhD
Concordia University, Department of Science
330 (1)
Sunday Sales: the Good, the Bad, and the Boozy MN resident for at least 3 years
Ages 21 +
Collin Calvert, MPH
SPH, Epidemiology & Community Health
1385 (4)
Teach the Computer How U Moove Youth 8-17 and parent/guardian 18+
with or without a tic disorder
Christine Conelea, PhD
Gail Bernstein, PhD
Medical School, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
35 (1)
Build-A-Brain: What’s the Connection? Youth 8-17 accompanied by a parent or legal guardian Christine Conelea, PhD
Medical School, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
26 (1)
Knock, Knock, Who’s There? Parent or caregiver of child(ren) aged 6-17 who are enrolled in primary or secondary education (grades 1-12) Clayton Cook, PhD, LP
CEHD, Educational Psychology
133 (2)
Name that Emotion Children aged 5-13 accompanied by a parent or legal guardian Clayton Cook, PhD, LP
CEHD, Educational Psychology
161 (2)
Games for brains: How does your brain make decisions? Ages 10-29 Kathryn Cullen, MD
Medical School, Psychiatry
315 (5)
Check it and fix it…hear! Ages 18 + Evelyn Davies-Venn, PhD
CLA, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
412 (4)
A Look at your Liver and Poop may Lengthen your Life! Ages 18 +
For liver screening, must be at risk for fatty liver disease
Piet de Groen, MD
Amar Mahgoub, MD
Medical School, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
460 – Recruitment
Only (5)
What Women Want: How Do Women Want to Make Health Care Decisions? MN resident, females born 1982 to 2000
have seen a health care provider (e.g., doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant) in the past 12 months
Priyanka Desai, MSPH
SPH, Health Services Research, Policy and Administration
185 – Recruitment
Only (2)
How’s Your Muscle? Males aged 6-30 William Durfee, PhD
DeWayne Townsend, DMV, PhD
CSE, Mechanical Engineering
311 (4)
Kid Talk Study Children aged 3-10 years
typical development
Lizbeth Finestack, PhD
CLA, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
169 (5)
Please don’t make me cough, laugh or sneeze! Women aged 18 + John Fischer, MD
Cynthia Fok, MD
Medical School, Ob/Gyn & Women’s Health
1568 (6)
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in Families Adults aged 18 +
with Type 2 diabetes OR a history of gestational diabetes
must have children aged 2-17
Jayne Fulkerson, PhD
Muna Sunni, MBBCh, MS
School of Nursing
106 (6)
Are you caring for someone with memory loss? Ages 18 +
provide care for an adult with memory loss
Joseph Gaugler, PhD
School of Nursing
36 – Recruitment
Only (3)
Would you take a ride on the giant ‘Brain Research’ slide? Aged 18 +
has been a parent or caregiver of a child OR is planning to have a child/children someday
Bernadette Gillick, PhD, MSPT
Michael Georgieff, MD
Medical School, Rehabilitation Medicine
650 (2)
Mind the Gaps: Help us make smart devices smarter Aged 50 +
OR severe visual impairment
Maria Gini
Wilma Koutstaal, PhD
CSE, Computer Science & Engineering
Psychology
176 (2)
The PREC(ar)IOUS Family Study Aged 18 +
currently employed or looking for work
provide primary financial & caretaking support to a child, elder, or disabled family member
Renada Goldberg
CEHD, Family Social Science
255 (1)
The Brain Games Ages 12-25
can use iPad independently for games (visual and audio)
Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel, PhD
Medical School, Adolescent Psychiatry
410 (6)
A Stroke of Genius: Who knows more Aged 18 +
ND/OR adult strokesurvivors & their caregivers
Niloufar Hadidi, PhD, APRN
School of Nursing
211 (2)
Research Starts with Respect All are welcome! Bethany Hansen
Community Oversight Board
Community Engagement (5)
Step Up and Mooove! Kids aged 8 to 18
able to walk on your own
able to step up & down an 8 inch step
don’t have any chronic illnesses
can answer questions
Mary Hooke, PhD, APRN
Carole Tucker, PhD, PT
School of Nursing
99 (2)
Saving Voices for People Who Have ALS: Your Opinions, Please! Ages 18 + Jolene Hyppa Martin, PhD
UM Duluth, CEHSP, Communication Sciences & Disorders
886 (5)
Fashion at the Fair! Women 18-64
no fabric or food allergies
Deborah Roedder John, PhD
Yajin Wang, PhD
Carlson School of Management, Marketing
155 (2)
Tickle Your Taste Buds Females 18-64
no food allergies
Deborah Roedder John, PhD
Maria Rodas, MBA
Carlson School of Management, Marketing
239 (1)
Me, My Meds, and I Aged 18 +
receipt of at least 1 prescription medication in the past year
Erin Krebs, MD, MPH
Medical School, Mpls VA Health Care System
1749 (9)
EAT, Talk, and Connect at the Fair! Ages 18 +
past completion of a Project EAT survey at school & by mail/online
Nicole Larson, PhD, MPH, RDN
Katie Loth, PhD
SPH, Epidemiology & Community Health
376 (7)
Babies R Us MN resident, ages 18 + Bonnie LeRoy, MS, CGC
CBS, Genetics, Cell Biology & Development
95 (2)
Sun’s Out, Thumbs Out Healthy hands
females & males aged 4-12
males aged 13-21
Corey McGee, PhD
Center for Allied Health Programs, Program in Occupational Therapy
(2)
How sleepy are you? Ages 18 +
20/40 vision or better
not suffering any lingering effects of stroke, tumor, or head trauma
does not have epilepsy
does not suffer from any visual disorders (e.g., color blindness, cataracts, macular degeneration)
Nichole Morris, PhD
CSE, Mechanical Engineering
184 (4)
Corporations in your community: Do they make a difference? MN resident, ages 18 + Amy O’Connor, PhD
CLA, Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication
1788 (10)
WISE Women’s Study Females aged 18-44 Ashley Oglesby
Ruby Nyugen, PhD
SPH, Epidemiology & Community Health
922 (4)
ACHIEVE Healthy Aging Ages 70-84 James Pankow, PhD, MPH
SPH, Epidemiology & Community Health
56 – Recruitment
Only (2)
Create Your Own 3D avatar Ages 10 + Hyun Soo Park, PhD
CSE, Computer Science & Engineering
167 (2)
Moo Matters! Ages 5 +
able to read & write
Rielle Perttu
Marcia Endres, PhD
CFANS, Animal Science
1788 (5)
Let’s Talk About Health! Ages 18 + Andrew Petzold, PhD
UM Rochester, Center for Learning Innovation
149 (1)
Let your Genes Treat your Hypertension: Precision Medicine Made Available! Aged 30-80
BMI between 19-50
BP 140/90 to 170/110 (ages 30-59)
BP 150/90 to 170/110 (ages 60-80)
not currently taking more than 1 class of hypertension medications
does not have cardiac disease
Pam Phelps, PharmD
Fairview Medical Group, Fairview Health Systems
14 – Recruitment
Only (3)
Potholes and politics! How to patch them up? MN resident, ages 18 + Kathryn Quick, MCP, PhD
Humphrey School of Public Affairs
751 (4)
Jiminy Crickets: What’s In These Chips? All ages Sujaya Rao, PhD
CFANS, Entomology
192 (1)
Are you sleeping like a baby? Yvette Reibel, PhD
School of Dentistry
646 (2)
Do you consider yourself disfluent? Tell us why Children & adults who either stutter or do not Jayanthi Sasisekaran, PhD
CLA, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
75 – Recruitment
Only (2)
The Great Minnesota Sports Concussion Study Youth ages 8-22
parents with children living in the house
Francis Shen, PhD, JD
Law School
482 (2)
10,000 Families Study Families with young children Logan Spector, PhD
Bharat Thyagarajan, MD, PhD, MPH
Medical School, Pediatrics
Laboratory Medicine & Pathology
702 – Recruitment
Only (9)
Connecting the Dots: Brain Mapping and Mental Health Ages 18-59
good general physical health
Scott Sponheim, PhD
Medical School, Psychiatry
138 – Recruitment
Only (3)
Autism: show what you already know, grow what you don’t know Ages 18 + Sheri Stronach, PhD, CCC-SLP
CLA, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences
494 (5)
Going Viral Women ages 18-44 Katie Tastad, MPH
Mark Schleiss, MD
SPH, Epidemiology & Community Health
Medical School, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology
851 (5)
Whose (HPV vaccine) decision is it anyway? Parents/guardians of adolescents aged 9-17
adolescents aged 9-17 accompanying the parent/guardian
Deanna Teoh, MD
Medical School, Gynecologic Oncology
424 (3)
Listen to your body: measures of body awareness for kids Children aged 5-17 Lucie Turcotte, MD
Juergen Konczak, PhD
Medical School, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
153 (7)
All Aboard the Brain Train Ages 18-80
fluent in English (learned before age 12)
able to use an iPad to complete visual & audio tests without assistance
Sophia Vinogradov, MD
Medical School, Psychiatry
347 (5)
Brains on a Stick! Youth ages 8-16
parent/guardian of an 8-16 year-old
no braces
Jeff Wozniak, PhD
Medical School, Psychiatry
19 – Recruitment
Only (1)

2017 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Investigators / Department Estimated Enrollment
(# of 5-hour shifts)
Help change the way we think about our health! Ages 18 and over Robin Austin, DNP, DC, RN-BC
Nursing
606 (2)
Let us pay for your State Fair food! Ages 18 and over
English or Spanish language
Stacie Bosley, PhD
Marc Bellemare, PhD
Applied Economics
452 (2)
Are You A Rock Star? Ages 18 and over Michael Borofsky, MD
Urology
Everybody Hurts – What do you know about chronic pain? Ages 18 and over Diana Burgess, PhD
EpiCH
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Mpls Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
1268 (10)
Keep Calm & Play On Ages 6-14 Clayton Cook, PhD, LP
Educational Psychology
143 (2)
Brain Booth Girls, ages 12-14
no braces
Kathryn Cullen, MD
Psychiatry
Recruitment
Only
Got MILK? Pregnant women who plan to breast feed their infants
Women who are currently exclusively breast-feeding, and their infants
Ellen Demerath, PhD
EpiCH
Recruitment
Only
See Your Optic Nerves at the Driven to Discover Building Ages 12-65 Luai Eldweik, MBChB
Opthalmology
280 (6)
Kid Talk Study Children 3 through 9 years
Typical development
Child and one parent must speak English
Lizbeth Finestack, PhD
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
173 (5)
Caregivers Count: Helping Loved Ones with Memory Loss Ages 18 and over
Provide care for an adult with memory loss
Joseph Gaugler, PhD
Nursing
Recruitment
Only
How Do You Moove? Aged 8 to 18
Able to walk
Able to talk and answer questions
Casey Hooke, PhD, APRN, PCNS, CPON
Nursing
356 (3)
Earn cash and participate in world-renowned research! Ages 18 and over Hubbling, Shelly
Carlson Behavioral Labs
Recruitment
Only
Tickle Your Taste Buds! Females 18-64
No food allergies
Deborah Roedder John, PhD
Maria Rodas, MBA
Marketing
294 (2)
Fashion at the Fair! Females ages 18-64
No fabric or food allergies
Deborah Roedder John, PhD
Yajin Wang, PhD
Marketing
Sun’s Out, Thumbs Out! Ages 13 -21
No history of hand problems
Leah Johnson, MA, OTR/L
Program in Rehabilitation Science
225 (2)
SCIENCE SURVEY Ages 18 and over
Fluent reader of English
Miriam Krause, PhD
Chemistry
233 (2)
Better Numbers for Better Health! Ages 18 and over Sohye Lee, PhD Candidate
Nursing
228 (3)
Social Work: A FAIR assessment Ages 12 and over
Any gender or background
Elizabeth Lightfoot, PhD
Social Work
1357 (4)
Unravel the Silent Dental Epidemic in Minnesota Ages 18 and over Naty Lopez, PhD, Med
Primary Dental Care
1543 (4)
Brain Fever Ages 18 and over
Parent of a child who will be attending high school in the 2017/2018 academic year
Dawn Nederhoff, MPH
Nicole Basta, PhD, Mphil
EpiCh
445 (4)
Be Part of Tomorrow’s Health Care Breakthroughs! Everyone Timothy Presley
CTSI
Recruitment
Only
Share Your Voice and Make a Difference! Ages 18 and over
Current Minnesota resident
Lynette Renner, MSW, PhD
Melissa Heinen, MPH
Social Work
1840 (10)
Let’s Talk About Sex! Age 13-17 years
OR
Parent/guardian of a 13-17 year-old
Kari Schneider, MD
Pediatrics
1206 (6)
The Great Minnesota Sports Concussion Study Youth athletes ages 12-22
Parents with school-aged children
Francis Shen, JD, PhD
Jessica Brown, PhD
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
733 (4)
Beyond Rain Man: Understanding Autism Ages 18 and over Sheri Stronach, PhD
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Spit on a Stick Healthy females 0-60
No illness, major injury, or vaccination in past 2 weeks
Frank Symons, PhD
Educational Psychology
159 (3)
Going Viral Women aged 18-44
Minnesota resident at least 6 months of the year
Not currently pregnant
AND
EITHER Never been pregnant OR Pregnant at least once within the past 10 years
Katie Tastad, MPH
EpiCH
Center for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Translational Research, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Immunology
733 (5)
#HPV messaging on @Instagram: Help us go viral! Young adults ages 18-26 Deanna Teoh, MD
Gynecologic Oncology
1132 (4)
Where Brains Make History: the Human Connectome Project To participate in the studies:
-Ages 8-21
-Ages 36 and older
-In good health
To learn about this exciting new project:
-Everyone!
Melissa Terpstra, PhD
Kamil Ugurbil, PhD
Essa Yacoub, PhD
Kathleen Thomas, PhD
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research; Radiology; Child Psychology
Recruitment
Only
Let Your Genetics Treat Your High Blood Pressure Age 30 to 70
History of high blood pressure (hypertension) or confirmed high blood pressure
Willing to travel to select Fairview clinics
Dang D. Tran, MD
Recruitment
Only
Why do you buy? Ages 18 and over
Involved with making or helping with food purchasing decisions
Uses social or traditional media sources for news/current events
Lisa Trimble, PhD
Debra Freedman, PhD
The Food Protection and Defense Institute
521 (2)
Hair Today Robert Turesky, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry; Pediatrics
176 (3)
Poop..it Happens & We Study That! Ages 18 and over
-Diagnosed with a GI health issue
OR -Have a family member with a GI health issue
OR -Healthy volunteers for GI research
Byron Vaughn, MD
Piet de Groen, MD
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Recruitment
Only
All Aboard the Brain Train! Citizen Scientists at UMN Ages 18-70
Can use an iPad for visual and auditory tasks without help
Fluent in English
Sophia Vinogradov, MD
Psychiatry
279 (5)
How to Build a 21st Century Village Ages 18 and over
Parent/guardian of one or more minor children
Lindsey Weiler, PhD
Family Social Science
425 (3)
Families Living With Technology Age 5-12 with one adult family member
Age 13-18
Age 18 or older
Lana Yarosh, PhD
Sarah McRoberts
Computer Science & Engineering
412 (4)
Your Health, Your Research, Your Choice Age 18 or older
English-speaking
Heather Zierhut, PhD
Genetics, Cell Biology and Development; Educational Psychology
952 (5)

2016 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Investigators / Department Estimated Enrollment
(# of 6-hour shifts)
10,000 Families Study Ages 18 and up
At least one child (or grandchild) under the age of five who lives in MN.
Heather Nelson, PhD
Logan Spector, PhD
Pediatrics
Recruitment Only
ABC’s and One to Threes 1-3 year olds and their parent or guardian Sheri Stronach, PhD
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
135 (8)
Agritourism: The Final Frontier in Agriculture Ages 8 and up Carrie Klumb
Joni Sheftel, DVM
Bruce Alexander, PhD
MN Dept. of Health
Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center
UMN Division of Environmental Health Sciences
1141 (6)
Are Your Hands “Hulk Smash” Strong? Men and women aged 21-49
Men aged 50-69
Men and women aged 70+
Corey McGee, PhD
Occupational Therapy – Rochester
230 (4)
Autism Treatments: Fads and Facts Ages 18 and up
You do not need to have personal experience or knowledge of ASD to participate.
Veronica Fleury, PhD
Educational Psychology
648 (5)
Brain Booth! Ages 8-18
Patient Group: Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression or bipolar disorder
Healthy Control group: No history of any psychiatric diagnoses
Gail Bernstein, MD
Kathryn Cullen, MD
Psychiatry
Recruitment Only
Cancer & U: What Do You Know About This Deadly Disease? Ages 18 and up
No cancer history
Hee Yun Lee, PhD
School of Social Work
725 (9)
Food for Tot Children ages 3-5 and a parent or guardian Amy Gross, PhD
Megan Flynn, PhD
Claudia Fox, MD
Pediatrics
174 (4)
Food Matters Ages 18 and up
English-speaking
Able to complete a survey using an iPad
Mary Jo Kreitzner, PhD
Roni Evans, DC, PhD, MS
Jenny Breen
Center for Spirituality & Healing
660 (4)
Genetics Hide and Seek Ages 18 and up
English-speaking
Bonnie LeRoy, PhD
Heather Zierhut, PhD
Genetics
Cell Biology & Development
864 (5)
Heart of the Matter 2016 Ages 18 and up
Not pregnant
Sara Love, PhD
Fred Apple, PhD
Medical School
300 (4)
How Are You Feeling? Ages 18 and up Mary Butler, PhD
Robert Kane, PhD
School of Public Health
1016 (4)
How Good Are Your Eyes? Ages 18 and up
Smokers and nonsmokers
Andrew Lee, MD
Yao Wang
Medical School
108 (4)
How Well Do You Know Your Body? Ages 65 and up Ann Van de Winckel, PhD
Manda Keller-Ross, PhD, DPT, PT
Physical Therapy
111 (6)
If You’re Happy, How Do You Show It? Ages 18 and up
No history of facial paralysis
Emily Walsechuk, MD
Sofia Lyford-Pike, MD
Medical School
225 (7)
Information Overload Ages 18 and up Chris Weight, MD
Medical School
394 (4)
Looking for ADAPT-able Military Families Has served or is serving in the U.S. military
Has experienced at least one overseas deployment since 2001
Has a child aged 5-12
Abigail Gewirtz, PhD
Amy Majerly
Chris Bray
College of Education and Human Development
Recruitment Only
Make the GRADE in Diabetes Control Type 2 Diabetes patients with less than 10 years duration
Ages 20 and up
Taking only Metformin to treat Type 2 Diabetes
Elizabeth Seaquist, MD
Medicine / Dept. of Emergency Medicine
Recruitment Only
My Doctor Said What?! Ages 18 and up
MN resident
English-speaking
Nicole Theis-Mahon
Shanda Hunt
Bio-Medical Library
273 (2)
Ready-to-Eat or Ready-to-Cook? Ages 18 and up
You regularly shop for groceries for yourself or your household.
Gianna Short, PhD
Hikaru Peterson, PhD
Applied Economics
500 (4)
StudyFinder: Find Research Opportunities and Share Your Perceptions of Health Research Everyone is invited to check out StudyFinder and play trivia!
Must be age 18 or older to participate in the survey
Melissa Mueller
Timothy Presley
Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Recruitment Only
Sun Safety in Children Ages 18 and up
Parent (or guardian) of a child entering K-8th grade
Ingrid Polcari, MD
Erin Dodd
Medical School
409 (4)
The Kid Talk Study Children 3 through 8 years
Typical development
Child and one parent must speak English.
Lizbeth Finestack, PhD
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
292 (10)
The Smile Study: What Matters in a Smile? Ages 18 and up Sofia Lyford-Pike, MD
Medical School
500 (5)
Try Out the Videochat of the Future! Ages 18 and up
Normal or corrected vision
Ability to use at least one hand
Lana Yarosh, PhD
Computer Science & Engineering
114 (4)
Unpack Your Parenting, Get a Backpack Parent of at least one child aged 3-25 Xiang Zhou
Advisor: Richard Lee, PhD
Psychology
866 (5)
What Have You HEARD about the HERD? Ages 18 and up
MN resident for at least 6 months per year
Nicole Basta, PhD
Jacqueline Logan
Fareed Awan
Dawn Nederhoff
School of Public Health
1047 (5)
What Is Wellbeing and How Do You Get it? Ages 18 and up
English-speaking
Pamela Jo Johnson, PhD
Todd Rockwood, PhD
Roni Evans, DC, PhD
Center for Spirituality & Healing
1106 (4)
What We Buy, What We Eat Ages 18 and up
Regularly shops and prepares food for the household
Hikaru Peterson, PhD
Vaneesha Dusoruth
Applied Economics
339 (4)
What’s in Your Glass? (Part 2) Ages 18-74
Parent of a child aged 6-12
Primary responsibility for providing food for the child
Access to a computer or a smart phone
Speak and read English
Arwa Zahid
Marla Reicks, PhD
Food Science & Nutrition
195 (3)
Whether You’re 5 or 95: Help Us Explore the Science of Attention and Memory! All ages welcome
Parent or legal guardian needed for children under 18.
Yuhong Jiang, PhD
Psychology
Recruitment Only
Whoop(ing Cough), There It Is! Ages 1 and up (children under 18 must have legal guardian present)
Minnesota resident
Not immunocompromised
Erinn Sanstead
Shalini Kulasingam, PhD
School of Public Health
104 (3)

2015 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Estimated Recruitment
ABC’s and One to Threes 1-3 year olds and their parents  70
Animals and Human Health, from City to Silo Ages: 21 and older, live in MN, and are not pregnant  626
Blue Ribbon Snacking Study  Ages: 18 and older and have eaten at least one thing at the fair  306
Brain Based Therapy for Motor Recovery after Stroke 3-12 months post-stroke and in stable condition.  Ages: 18-70  NA (recruitment only)
Brain Booth Ages 8-17.  OCD subjects not on treatment.  Control subjects too!  54
Can You Crack the Health Care Code? Ages: 18 and older  371
Can You Detect a Liar? Ages: 18 and older  620
Do You Hear What I Hear? Ages: 18 and older  268
 Do You See What I See? Ages 6-35.  No diagnosis affecting social perception.  46
Eczema, Allergy and the Skin: Itchy Insights Ages: 18 and older.  Parent of a child under the age of 18.  398
Exploring the Exciting World of Science Ages: 18 and older  484
FINDing Connections Everyone is eligible!  NA (recruitment only)
Got Iron? Women, ages 18-45  190
Growing Healthy Kids: Little Sprouts Garden Study Parents: 18 and older.  Kids: 3-5  92
Hand Strength on a Stick Ages 13-30 or Ages: 50 and above  319
Heart of the Matter Ages: 18 and older.  Can’t participate for certain medical conditions  366
Help CONTROL Autoimmune Diseases! Ages: 18 and older.  No autoimmune disorder diagnosis  235
If You’re Happy, How Do You Show It? Ages: 18 and older  1,352
Join us for a Ride on the Reading Railroad! Ages: 8 and older.  No dyslexia  173
Make the GRADE in Diabetes Control Type 2 Diabetes patients < than 10 years duration, ages 20 & older  NA (recruitment only)
Minnesota Risk Preferences Ages: 19-70  400
Minnesota Sibling Support Ages: 9-17 with a sibling.  Does not have developmental disability.  53
MinnWorks: A Job Market Study Ages: 18 and older  490
Musicality Study: Test Your Musical Ability! Ages: 18 and older  368
Sunscreen Dispensers at the Fair Everyone is eligible!  2,187
Path to Math Survey Kids ages 8 and older.  Parents of school-aged kids.  533
POP Quiz: Enlighten your Mind and Save a Life Ages: 18 and older  1,488
Resilience Games Parent/Child pairs.  Kids: ages 4-12.  Parents: ages 18 and older.  320
Safe Schools Survey 2015 Ages 15-23.  Current high school or college student in MN.  956
Shifting Gears: Survey of Service Members’ Reintegration onto American Roads Anyone who served in the military between 2001 to the present  30
 Social Science on a Stick  Ages: 18 and older  1,134
 The Game Buffet  Parents of kids ages 2-4  97
The Gift of Grandparenting Grandparents  220
The Kid Talk Study Kids ages 3-8  232
The Real Life Game of Chance Ages: 18 and older  900
Tickle Your Taste Buds! Females, ages 18-50.  No food allergies.  450
TrainMeUp MN at the Fair Ages 18-40.  BMI > 25.  Sedentary, otherwise healthy.  NA (recruitment only)
UFFDA Study Ages: 18 and older.  Don’t have certain medical conditions.  579
What’s in Your Glass? Ages 18-74.  Parent of kids ages 6-12.  380
Where is My Arm? Ages 18 and younger  229
Wise and Well Ages 55 and older  413

2014 Research Projects

Study Title Eligibility Estimated Recruitment
Safe Schools Survey Ages 14-19  788
The Kid Talk Study Ages 3-7  220
 FIND Your Way. Develop Your Brain  Autistic Spectrum Disorder Patients  67
Choices, Choices, Choices Kids: 4-7, Adults: 18-35  122
Cooking with Kids in Rural MN Parents of 8-12 year-olds.  Live in Rural MN  176
Minnesota Munchkins with Microbes Ages 3-70, at least 2 family members participate  207
Dental Therapists: Tooth or Consequences Ages: 18 and older.  Live in Minnesota  410
Rainbow Heart Health Ages: 18 and older  252
MN Veterans Coming Home Study OEF/OIF/Veterans deployed overseas OR spouses/partners of eligible veterans  91
Take it 2 Heart.  Learn Your Lipids. Ages: 18 and older.  Can’t have certain medical conditions  973
Make the GRADE in Diabetes Control Type 2 diabetes patients with less than 10 years duration. Ages: 20 and older.  15
Mythbusting Unreasonable Entrepreneurship Ages: 18 and older.  Are or intend to be an entrepreneur.  127
R U @ Rsk 4 T1D? First degree relatives of Type 1 Diabetes patients, ages: 1-45  12
State Fair Justice Ages: 18 and older  284
Social Science on a Stick Ages: 18 and older  457
Minnesota Taste 12 Ages 50-80  135
Faces at the Fair Ages 8-30  81
Brain Power Ages: 18 and older  399
Know Your Drink Study Kids: 9-12 and their parents, ages: 18 and older  392
Fitness After Fifty-Five Ages: 55 and older  434
Bipeds and Bad Dreams Ages 20-80  187
Food (Alert!) Ages: 18 and older  47
Spill the Bean Study Parents (ages: 18 and older) of children ages: 5-18  283
UFFDA Study Ages: 18 and older.  Can’t have certain medical conditions.  778
Distracted Driving Simulator Ages 16 and older  203
Colon Cancer. iPrevent. iTreat. iBeat. African American men, ages 18-65  310
Gopher Kids Study Previous participants in Gopher Kids.  207
What’s Behind Your Food? Ages: 18 and older  260
Blue Ribbon Snacking Study Ages: 18 and older  224