Volunteer for Research Studies

Supporting the University of Michigan's research and academic mission is an important component of MHealthy. MHealthy is currently helping recruit participants for select health and wellness related research studies. Volunteering provides an opportunity for you to play a role in important health and wellness research happening within our community. If you would like to volunteer as a study participant, please contact the U-M researcher listed for the study.

Study: YO MI-CARES (HUM00220902)

YO MI-CARES (Young-Onset Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study) is focused on understanding the risk, outcomes, and survivorship of breast cancer among young women.

Our goal is to learn how to better prevent breast cancer and how to improve the quality of life and survival for young women with breast cancer.

Who can participate?

You are eligible to join YO MI-CARES if:

  • You are aged 18-49 years old.
  • You were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the past 12 months.
  • You live in Michigan.

What is involved?

Enrollment and participation can be completely remote.

Participants in the study will:

  • Complete an online questionnaire at enrollment.
  • Complete an online questionnaire one year after breast cancer diagnosis and thereafter annually.
  • We will also ask for your consent to collect information from your medical records.
  • You will receive a $10 gift card as a thank you after you finish the questionnaire at enrollment.

For more information:

Email: yomi-cares@umich.edu
Visit: https://yomi-cares.sph.umich.edu/  

This study has been approved by the University of Michigan Internal Review Board.

Study: Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity in University IT Workers

Sedentary behavior and low physical activity are known to pose several health risks such as metabolic syndrome, which can lead to long-term conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The information learned from the study will give critically important insights into the impact of different work arrangements, like working only from home or the office, on workers’ movements. It will also tell how certain behaviors are linked to metabolic syndrome risk factors. The ultimate goal of the research is to establish strategies that will help IT workers enhance movements and reduce their risks of metabolic syndrome.

Who can participate?

Participants must be:

  • affiliated with the UM IT department

  • able to speak and comprehend English

  • willing to give a voluntary, small blood  sample

  • willing to wear two accelerometer devices for 7 days

Exclusion criteria:

  • Known skin sensitivity or allergic reaction to tape

  • Disease or injury that limits physical activity

  • Compromised immune system

  • Skin conditions on lower extremities

  • Blood disorders or history of side effects to drawing blood

  • Pregnancy

What is involved?

Participants in the study will:

  • Use this link to access and complete the eligibility screening questionnaire. If eligible, you will be asked to complete an online consent form.

  • Complete a one-time, 1-hour survey, mainly related to your sedentary behavior and physical activity

  • Wear two devices for 7 days and maintain daily logs

  • Give a blood sample for a metabolic syndrome test at a clinic

  • Return the devices and be compensated for your time with an electronic Amazon gift card worth $60

For more information:

Call: (734) 707-1616
Email: sungwonp@umich.edu
Visit: https://redcapproduction.umms.med.umich.edu/surveys/?s=LRWP8JCRHDAAC7DK

This study has been approved by the University of Michigan Internal Review Board.

Study: MI-CARES

The Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study is a state-wide study of 18-49 year-olds designed to understand the impact of the environment on our health. The environmental exposures being studied include air pollution, metals (like lead and arsenic), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), noise, and chemicals in personal care products (like shampoo).

Who can participate?

Men and women aged 18-49 years old who live in Michigan.

Incentive:

Participants will get a $10 visa gift card as a thank you for completing the survey. After completing the surveys you will also receive a code that you can share with friends and family - you’ll get an additional $5 for anyone who completes the survey using your code.

For more information:

Visit the MI-CARES website: https://www.micares.health/

Study: MyBestGI Study (HUM00197337)

This research evaluates methods that help people eat in healthier ways. It is seeking volunteers who have risk factors for either colon or rectal cancers.

Study participants will receive information about ways to manage their eating habits and the results of the measures taken at the study visits. Study participation could impact how diet recommendations are made for future generations.

Who can participate?

You may be able to participate in this study if you:

  • Have a family history of colorectal cancer, a genetic risk factor for colon or rectal cancer, or you have had polyps or colorectal cancer in the past (with cancer treatment completed at least 12 months ago)
  • Are interested in learning healthier ways of eating
  • Are 19 years or older
  • Have a BMI of 25-45 kg/m2
  • Have a smartphone
  • Willing to log foods eaten

What is involved?

Participants in the study will:

  • Follow one of three eating plans for one year as best they can
    • Two of these eating plans will use the MyBestGI app
    • Study participants can choose the foods they prefer within healthy food groups
  • Attend three study visits over the course of 12 months with a small blood sample each time
  • Participants will be compensated up to $175 depending upon completion of study tasks.

For more information:

Call: 1-800-865-1125 Cancer AnswerLine™ (M-F: 8am-4:30pm)
Email: MyBestGIstudy@umich.edu
Visit: https://www.mybestgi.org

This study has been approved by the University of Michigan Internal Review Board.

Study: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Research Study (HUM00106883)

You may be eligible to participate in a research study investigating the effects of continuous and interval exercise on health and fitness!

Who can participate?

  • Men & women 18-40 years of age
  • Classified as overweight  (Body Mass Index 30-40 kg/m2)
  • Weight Stable (+/- 6 pounds for past 6 months)
  • Non-smoker who is relatively healthy
  • Do not currently participate in regular exercise

You will undergo/receive:

  • 12 weeks of supervised exercise training (4x/week)
  • Body composition analyses
  • 1 overnight hospital visit before and 2 overnight hospital visits after training with blood sampling and metabolic testing
  • Up to $550 compensation upon completion the study
  • A free Activity Monitor to track your physical activity

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.kines.umich.edu/research/sml/sml-studies

Study Coordinator: Suzette Howton, RDN
Email: suzetter@med.umich.edu
Telephone: 734-647-9850

More research volunteer opportunities:

Visit the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) site, which connects volunteers to U-M health research studies in need of participants.

Please note: Most research studies have rules about who can participate. It is the researcher's responsibility to fully inform research participants about all the procedures, alternatives, risks, and potential benefits before someone makes a decision to participate. Research participants are never under any obligation to participate in a study. Additionally, if you contact a researcher or if a researcher contacts you, there is no guarantee that you will be eligible.