Eligibility: Individuals 18 years and older who use drugs and are willing to be interviewed.

Project Description: This is a qualitative study of the perspectives of people who use drugs to build a foundation for an overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program that directly addresses the needs of people who are most affected by opioid overdose, people who use drugs.

Project Contact: Amesika Nyaku, amesika.nyaku@rutgers.edu  

Eligibility: We’re looking for adults 18 years and older with or without a history of opioid dependence (e.g. heroin, fentanyl, oxycontin).

Project Description: The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation treatment. Participants will be asked to complete two computerized tasks while we record brainwaves (EEG) and apply transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires about themselves, and their drug use history.

Project Contact: If you are interested in our study and want to learn more, please contact us at: cognitivestudy@newark.rutgers.edu

Eligibility: We’re actively recruiting social drinkers.

Project Description: This is an online study exploring the effects of a hangover on bodily sensations. You can earn $75 for your participation.

Project Contact: Please reach out to Nandita: 732-743-5414. Study posted by Mateo Leganes-Fonteneau (mateo.leganes@rutgers.edu).

Eligibility: Actively recruiting individuals ages 18-34 years with various tobacco-using statuses

Project Description: Young adults’ initiation and use of e-cigarettes are on the rise in the U.S. E-cigarette use produces toxicants, is addictive, and is associated with future use of combustible tobacco products among young adults. The situation is compounded by aggressive e-cigarette marketing, which often features flavors, models, marketing claims, and price promotions. The proposed project will examine the influence of four e-cigarette advertisement features (flavors, models, marketing claims, etc.) using eye-tracking and in-depth interview methods among young adults with various tobacco use statuses.

Project Contact: To inquire about the study, email Dr. Julia Chen-Sankey, jc.sankey@rutgers.edu.

Eligibility: We are looking for adults age 18 and older

Project Description: We are recruiting for a number of paid research studies related to decision neuroscience and computational psychiatry. Our studies involve at least one visit to Rutgers University. You will be compensated for your time. 

Project Contact: If you want to learn more, please visit www.konovalab.com/get-involved.

Eligibility: Actively recruiting individuals between the ages of 18-35 years

Project Description: The aim of this project is to examine whether a brief behavioral intervention of slow breathing paced at a resonance frequency of the cardiovascular system can enhance attention and cognitive control in young adults. Results from this study may provide evidence of novel brain-body prevention and intervention targets to improve physical health.

Project Contact: To inquire about participating, email Dr. Brandon Alderman, alderman@rutgers.edu.

Eligibility: We are actively recruiting adults ages 18-55 who currently smoke at least 8 cigarettes daily and smoke within 30 minutes of waking.

Project Description: In this study, investigators are examining a novel puff topography biofeedback paradigm informed by autonomic psychophysiology to attenuate stress-precipitated smoking reinforcement in emotionally vulnerable smokers.

Project Contact: Dr. Teresa Leyro, teresa.leyro@rutgers.edu

Eligibility: We are actively recruiting adults ages 21-50 who currently smoke at least 5 cigarettes daily and are interested in quitting.

Project Description: Through this project, investigators seek to develop and pilot test heart rate variability biofeedback as a treatment adjunct to standard smoking cessation treatment including nicotine replacement therapy patch and individual cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation counseling for smokers high in emotional distress.

Project Contact: Dr. Teresa Leyro, teresa.leyro@rutgers.edu

Eligibility: Females between the ages of 18-40 who consume alcohol regularly (4 days per week; 7 drinks per week)

Project Description: This project examines the role of fluctuations in progesterone and estradiol (ovarian hormones) as biological mechanisms of affective dysfunction that maintain the rewarding effects of alcohol in females with heavy drinking. This study involves a within-subjects, observational design with prospective daily assessment over the course of the menstrual cycle.

Project Contact: Dr. Samantha Farris, samantha.farris@rutgers.edu

Eligibility: Click here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fyYjmEEVQiOZbE to learn more about this study and see if you’re eligible to participate.

Project Description: There is an emerging body of literature highlighting the impact of gun violence on the general population. However, there is a dearth of research regarding how gun violence is enacted among SGM, especially in New Jersey, despite evidence that SGM are more likely to experience IPV than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. The goal of this mixed-methods study is to collect pilot data on the role of guns in occurrences of interpersonal violence (IPV) among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in order to address current gaps in the literature. The specific aims of this study are to: 1) describe the intersection of gun access, possession, and violence with interpersonal partner violence among SGM in NJ using semi-structured interviews; 2) assess the extent to which gun access, possession, and/or violence victimization/perpetration is explained by (a) sociodemographic factors and (b) history of IPV victimization and/or perpetration among SGM in NJ; and 3) understand the role of mental health, substance use, and psychosocial factors in relation to gun access, possession, and/or violence victimization/perpetration among SGM in NJ.

Project Contact: Kristen Krause, kristen.krause@rutgers.edu

Eligibility: Click here to learn more about this study and see if you’re eligible to participate: https://bit.ly/3xP3lG4

Project Description: In the United States, Sexual and Gender Minority (e.g., LGBTQ) individuals experience a preponderance of health disparities. These health challenges are predicated on the chronic marginalization and discrimination, some of which are state sanctioned, experienced by the population, and are coupled with a healthcare workforce that is inadequately prepared to effectively address the specific health needs of the population. The myriad health challenges faced by SGM individuals are magnified due to hardships in accessing adequate and competent healthcare that serves the unique needs of this population. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, these disparities have been amplified with emerging reports suggesting that SGM individuals may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the virus. While increasing access to the COVID-19 vaccine is critical to inoculation efforts, there is widespread vaccine hesitancy among adults in the United States, particularly among African American and Hispanic individuals. There is limited information on vaccination attitudes and hesitation among SGM communities, and most of what is available is focused specifically on Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-vaccination uptake. As such, the proposed study seeks to expand knowledge on overall vaccine hesitancy (including COVID-19) and the role of medical mistrust in vaccine uptake among SGM adults in New Jersey.

Project Contact: Kristen Krause, kristen.krause@rutgers.edu