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

Healthy female volunteers needed to smell odor-filled pens 6 times a week for 6 weeks

Healthy females between the ages of 50 – 65 may qualify for a research study looking at the effect of odor training on olfactory performance. This study involves 2 visits to the Monell Center which will involve smelling odors and making ratings about those odors for the purpose of testing sensitivity and (on first session) instruction on the at-home sessions. These visits are separated by 6 weeks of at-home sessions, 6 sessions per week, each lasting ~10 minutes, with half of the sessions occurring under the supervision of an experimenter using video-conferencing technology.

You will receive $300 following the completion of the study. If you would like to participate in this study or have any questions, please send an email to daltonlab@monell.org.

Ad posted 3/25/2021

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact us at 267-519-4888 for more information.

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

There are no studies at this time.