Participate in Research

Our research programs include studies on taste, smell, and sensory perception, as well as research to understand human health, development and behavior.

This page lists Monell studies that currently are seeking volunteer participants. We invite you to look below for studies that may interest you.

Questions about individual studies should be addressed to the research coordinator listed and general questions about this page and its content should be addressed to Dennis at 267-519-4813 or researchstudies@monell.org.

All studies have been approved by the University of Pennsylvania Institutional Review Board.

General Public

Characterizing the Sense of Smell in Humans

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is looking for volunteers for a smell study to be conducted remotely in the greater Philadelphia area.

The purpose of these studies is to characterize the sense of smell in humans.

Eligible to adults 18 – 55 years of age. Subjects will be asked to detect, identify, discriminate, and evaluate various smells.

The total estimated time of your participation in this study is up to 2 hours per visit and may include multiple sessions.

We will compensate subjects for participation and travel costs for each study visit. Compensation based upon completion of tasks
and length of participation.

Some exclusion criteria apply; please contact the lab for more information.

Contact Matt by e-mail at: Smellmonell@gmail.com

Ad posted 12/9/2020 and recruitment is open until 02/01/2021.

Sense of Smell and COVID-19

Do you want to test your sense of smell from home?

Have you recently experienced any flu symptoms?

You may qualify for a scientific study, performed by the Monell Chemical Senses Center, about the sense of smell and how the flu/COVID affects it.

Information about the test:

You will receive by mail a set of scratch and sniff odor cards with instructions on how to use them and how to access the website where you will write your answers.
It will take about 15-20 minutes to perform the odor test and complete few demographic and health questions.
The test will be performed online at your convenience.
You will need access to the internet and a physical address so we can snail mail the scratch and sniff odor cards.

Who to Contact:
If you would like to participate in this study or have any questions, please send an email to smellstudy@monell.org.

Ad posted 05/11/2020.

Subjects Needed for Taste Research

What: Sample solutions (mostly food and flavor ingredients) and make judgments regarding sensory properties.
Where: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street
When: Study Starting Now
Contact: Natasha at (267) 519-4777 or tastesensitivitystudy@gmail.com for details.

Ad posted 1/24/2019 and recruitment is open until we reach a sufficient number of participants.

Adults Needed for Research Study

Adults are needed for a research study on the taste of medicines for children. There will be multiple test sessions each lasting 1 hour and will require you to do smell and taste testing, complete questionnaires, and provide a saliva sample. You will be compensated for your participation.

If interested, call 267-519-4888 for more information.

Cranial Nerve Stimulation Study

Currently not recruiting due to pandemic.

The Monell Chemical Senses Center is looking for volunteers for a smell study to be conducted at the Center. This research explores the role of cranial nerve stimulation and how it impacts your sense of smell.

Eligible to adults 18 – 50 years of age. Subjects will be asked to detect, identify, discriminate, and evaluate various smells. Subjects may be asked to wear a small ear clip that contains an electrode that delivers a mild electrical impulse to stimulate cranial nerves.

The total estimated time of your participation in this study is up to 3 (three) hours over separate visits.

We will compensate subjects for participation and travel costs for each study visit. Compensation based upon completion of tasks and length of participation.

Some exclusion criteria apply; please contact the lab for more information.

Contact Kristen at lundstromlab@monell.org.

Ad posted 03/03/2020.

Ethylene Exposure Study

Adults between the ages of 18 – 55 may qualify for a research study looking at the effect of exposure to ethylene, a compound commonly used in the chemical and agricultural industries. This study involves 12 sessions involving the Monell Center and Thomas Jefferson University.

The first 2 session may last up to 60 minutes. Sessions 3-11 will last up to 8 hours and the last session will last up to 9 hours. If you qualify you will be asked to:

Sit in a room filled with Ethylene
Ride a stationary bike in a room filled with Ethylene
Breath into a device that records lung function before and after exposure
Donate samples of blood, saliva, mucus, and breath

You will receive $1500 following the completion of the study.

Who to Contact:

Any questions that you may have about this research study can be answered by emailing daltonlab@monell.org.

Ad posted 3/28/2019 and recruitment is open until 4/19/2021.

Studies for Men

Men are needed for research study on the taste of medicines for children

There will be multiple test sessions each lasting 1 hour and will require you to do smell and taste testing, complete questionnaires, and provide a saliva sample.

You will be compensated for your participation.

If interested, call 267-519-4888 for more information.

Studies for Women

There are no studies at this time.

Studies for Children

Moms and their children are needed for a paid research study!

Moms whose child is 3 to 10 years old may join the study. The goals of this research study being conducted at the Monell Center are to learn how diet and taste preferences affect the composition of hair and levels of chemicals in blood in healthy adults and children.

There is no cost to participate. We will compensate subjects for participation and travel costs for each study visit.

The Snacks and Smiles Study

Mothers and their children (3-6 years) are needed for a research study. Compensation for time and travel will be provided.

The goals of the 5-month research study being conducted at Temple University [3223 N. Broad Street] and Monell Center [3500 Market Street] are to learn how children grow to like new foods and have healthy smiles.

If interested, please text or call 267-428-7883.

Studies for Pregnant Women, New Mothers, and their Babies