As part of the Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) program, a collaborative venture between Syracuse University’s Falk College, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Upstate Medical University, volunteers are sought for a research study regarding veterans. Participants (18-64 years old) who are veterans are needed to answer online questionnaires and provide small samples of hair and saliva for testing. The purpose of this study is to find links between genetic biomarkers and measures of stress and well-being in veterans.
Participants will receive up to $75 as compensation. No travel is required. Surveys may take up to 3 hours to complete, and participants can stagger their time spent on the surveys for three weeks. The questionnaires will not include names or personally identifiable information. The questionnaires will be labeled only with an ID code on all data, collection samples, questionnaires or results. Identities will not be included in any publications or reports about this research and will not be connected to participant data.
The REU program, now in its fourth year, is funded by the National Science Foundation. Its goal is to improve access to undergraduate research experiences in trauma for groups typically underrepresented in this research, including veterans. It draws on personal experiences of veterans who understand the nature and context of traumatic events. By gaining a scientific understanding of trauma, students who complete the program gain essential tools to improve the quality of life for themselves and others, including veterans.
The REU program is directed by Brooks B. Gump, Ph.D., MPH, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, and co-directed by Karen Wolford, Ph.D., Professor Department of Psychology and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Trauma Studies at SUNY Oswego and includes other faculty from these institutions as well as SUNY Upstate Medical University. This program brings together veterans and non-veterans in a safe environment to pursue trauma research activities.
The program is purposefully structured to span one full year. Following a month-long summer immersion program on the Syracuse University campus, students continue their research under the mentorship of REU faculty during the Fall semester.