Volunteers
Interested in becoming a research subject in an UCD Institute of Food and Health study? Just call us on 01 716 2808 to find out more about any of our projects, or send an email or write a letter expressing your interest to:
Dr Geraldine Quinn, Operations Manager
UCD Institute of Food and Health
UCD
Belfield
Dublin 4
Volunteering for Human Nutrition projects
Welcome to the Human Nutrition Unit at the UCD Institute of Food and Health in UCD. Here, we run a variety of human nutrition studies for which volunteers are needed. Find out more about our latest food and nutrition projects.
This group is comprised of a number of world class researchers, conducting detailed and exciting nutrition research. If you are interested in participating in one of our studies please email nutritionresearch@ucd.ie.
Please note: Although we are a nutrition research unit, we are unable to provide advice on diet to individuals. If you are concerned about your diet, please consult your GP. You may find these websites useful:
Frequently asked questions
What information will I get about my health?
On most studies you will get an accurate measurement of your height and weight and therefore your Body Mass Index.
- Resting Metabolic Rate: measures how many calories you will require to maintain your current weight
- DEXA scan - measures your bone density
- BodPod - measures the amount of fat in your body
- Skinfold thickness; also measures the amount of fat in your body
What feedback will I get about diet?
Food intake: you record your food intake in a diary, or we interview you to find out what you normally eat. We then analyse the information and can calculate the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate you eat in an average day.
What if I start a study and then want to leave?
When you express an interest in a study we will give you a volunteer information leaflet that will explain all about the study and give specific details of what will be involved. This leaflet states that you may leave a study at any time if you so wish to do so, you do not have to give a specific reason. Most people who start the studies are happy to complete the full study, and often sign up for further studies in the future.
I am not sure I am suitable, but I would like to be involved in something. Can I register for anything?
A lot of people are interested in a particular study but find that perhaps they are not suitable or that they don’t have time to participate. This is fine. It is important for you to ask as many questions as you want, so that you find out if the study suits you, and also that you are suitable for the study. If one particular study does not suit, another one may. We will be able to guide you as to the most suitable study for you and can keep you up to date with future studies also. Just email us at nutritionresearch@ucd.ie for more information
