Research participation opportunities
Contributing to the central mission of USC – the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit – our faculty and staff are leading the way in groundbreaking research – and you can participate! Below are research studies currently seeking participants.
If you have a research opportunity that should be shared with all our faculty and staff, click here.
Regulating Affect and Physiology in Depression Study
The Cognition and Affect Regulation (CAR) Lab is recruiting young adults between the ages of 18-27 for the Regulating Affect in Physiology in Depression Study (RAPID). Eligible participants will either have a history of depression or no psychiatric history.
Paid StudyContact: carstudy@usc.edu
Research on hearing and hearing loss
USC Auditory Research Lab is currently running an NIH-sponsored study of hearing and hearing loss and you are invited to participate.
For more information:
Proximal Affect Regulation and Cognition Study
The Cognition and Affect Regulation (CAR) lab is recruiting young adults between the ages of 18-30 for the Proximal Affect Regulation and Cognition Study (PARCS). Eligible participants will have experienced thoughts about death or suicide recently.
Paid StudyContact: parcstudy@usc.edu
Harassment Prevention Training Survey
USC managers who have completed the Harassment Prevention training are invited to participate in a short, anonymous survey that explores experiences with the USC Harassment Prevention training program and its application in the workplace. Results will be aggregated and used to identify recommendations on how to improve learning and behavior in relation to the program.
Child language development study
Researchers at the USC Language Development Lab in the Dornsife Psychology department are studying how children learn about different aspects of language. Parents with infants under the age of 12 months and children 2-6 years old are invited to participate in the studies.
Email: langdev@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-2396
Facebook use research study
Researchers at Dornsife Psychology are studying how and why people use Facebook and other social media sites. The study is seeking currently active Facebook users, posting publicly to Facebook at least twice a week on average.
Paid Study ($10)Email: hupshaw@usc.edu
Down syndrome dental cleaning study
Researchers at the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in collaboration with the Dental Clinic at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) are looking for 16 children with Down syndrome (DS) ages 6-12 to receive a free dental cleaning at CHLA in a special sensory friendly environment.
Paid StudyEmail: sade2@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-1864
Menopausal therapy and hardening of the arteries
The Atherosclerosis Research Unit at Keck School of Medicine is studying whether a new FDA-approved menopausal therapy can slow hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease in women. If you are a woman between 45-59 years of age, have not had a hysterectomy and do not have heart disease or diabetes, you may qualify for the NIH-funded study, Advancing Postmenopausal Preventive Therapy.
Email: appt@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-2257
Omega-3 supplements and Alzheimer’s Disease risk
The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Keck School of Medicine is studying if omega-3 supplements can help those at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Adults ages 55-80 who have at least one of the follow: high blood pressure, high cholesterol or little to no weekly exercise, or who are overweight – are eligible to participate.
Paid StudyEmail: cic_341@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-0209
All of Us research program
Researchers at USC are working on a historic NIH-funded program called “All of Us” that hopes to enroll one million participants. The purpose of the program is to collect data that will accelerate research and improve health over time. We are looking for adults 18 and over who reside in the U.S. to complete a health questionnaire, give a blood and urine sample and provide access to the participant’s electronic health record.
Paid Study ($25)Email: AllOfUs@USC.edu
Phone: (323) 572-5740 (Call or text “AOU”)
Smoking and mood study
The Psychosocialbiology of Women’s health and Emotion Research (POWER) Lab is seeking smokers over the age of 21 to participate in a study about understanding the effects of depression or mood on smoking behavior. The study focuses on depression as it may increase smoking dependence. Participants do not need to exhibit depressive symptoms in order to participate. Participants can earn up to $255 in compensation.
Paid StudyEmail: powerlab@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-2788
Impact of culture and genetics on Hispanics with multiple sclerosis
The Keck School of Medicine is seeking Hispanics who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis within the last two years to participate in a study examining the impact of acculturation, cultural perceptions and genetics on disease severity.
Email: andrea.martinez@med.usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-6817
Diet & HIIT study arrangement
The Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California is currently recruiting young adults (18-30 years old) that are recreationally active (2-4 times per week), have not participated in high intensity interval training within the past 6 months, and a non-obese BMI to participate in the Diet & HIIT Study. The project involves 5 visits to the lab on the Health Sciences Campus. Compensation is available
Email: jaredmoo@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-0175
Lung cancer early detection study
The department of Radiology at Keck School of Medicine is seeking current and former smokers ages 50-80 who have smoked at least one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years, to receive free low-dose CT scans for early detection of lung cancer once a year for three years in exchange for blood samples and questionnaires.
Email: radstudy@usc.edu
Phone: (323) 442-7672
USC Brain and Creativity Institute and Brain and Music Lab Study
The USC Brain and Creativity Institute and Brain and Music Lab is seeking participants (ages 65-85) for an eight-week research study on music listening and management of agitation and anxiety associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Participation involves a 1-hour online survey on Zoom with one of our research staff followed by listening to music or audiobooks via a tablet and speaker at home. Participants will be given $30 per hour for their participation.
Email: SoundAndMindStudy@usc.edu
Phone: (213) 740-3588
Stress and aging Study
The study examines whether short instances of stress can increase or decrease the naturally occurring biomarkers that behave abnormally in Alzheimer’s disease. We are looking for non-pregnant, non-lactating, healthy adults who are 18-30 or 50-65 years old, who weigh at least 110 pounds, who don’t have cognitive impairment, who have no conditions incompatible with completing a stressful task, and who are not afraid of needles or giving blood. Participants will be eligible to receive up to $300 upon study completion.
Email: alzstudy@usc.edu
Multiple Sclerosis & Diet
The Department of Neurology is conducting a clinical trial at Keck School of Medicine to study periods of a medically designed low-calorie diet (modified fasting) for patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. There is evidence that the diet can impact symptoms of MS and may help to improve neurological status and quality of life. This is a 12-month study with 3 periods of a modified fasting diet.
Email:
Frida.Hovik@med.usc.edu
Brain Imaging Study
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is conducting a brain imaging study to learn how the brain of youth reacts to alternative treatments for social anxiety disorder. We are looking for youth (ages 16-22) who may have social anxiety AND youth who do not have anxiety (ages 16-22). Participants are compensated up to $200 for their participation.
Email: Brainimaginglab@chla.usc.edu
Phone: (323)361-6456