Participants

The HNRU really values the experience of our study participants. We couldn't do our work without you! Check our our Participating in HNRU Research video to see what it's like to be a participant in an HNRU study. 

0:00-0:02 [Cheerful music plays throughout video. White screen background appears with logo of the University of Guelph (on the left-hand side); College of Biological Sciences in red text (on the middle right, on the same line as the logo); Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences in black text (directly below the College of Biological Sciences text).]

0:02-0:04 [Screen changes to show logo of the University of Guelph (on the left-hand side); abbreviation HNRU in red text (on the middle right, on the same line as the logo); Human Nutraceutical Research Unit in black text (directly below the HNRU text).]

0:04-0:05 [Screen changes to show an image of outdoor University of Guelph sign by the Gryphon Statue.]

0:05-0:07 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright speaking directly to the camera, inside the HNRU reception area. Black text on a white background slides into the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): Being in a study at the University of Guelph is a great way to see what’s happening on campus. Text: Dr. Amanda Wright, Ph.D. HNRU Director & HHNS Faculty.

0:07-0:13 [Screen changes to show show a participant and a student walking towards the entrance of the HNRU.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): In the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, or HNRU, for short, we study foods and natural heath products.

0:13-0:18 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright speaking directly to the camera at the reception area.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): To truly validate products for the marketplace we need human level research.

0:18-0:30 [Screen changes to show Dr. Alison Duncan speaking directly to the camera while sitting in front of the Metabolic Test Kitchen. While she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom left hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. Alison Duncan): The research process really is a team, community process, and community members who serve as human participants are probably the most important part because we can’t do it without them. Text: Dr. Alison Duncan, Ph.D., R.D. HNRU Associate Director & HHNS Faculty.

0:30-0:34 [Screen changes to show an image of the Apple Study recruitment flyer on the notice board.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): There are many opportunities for community members to get involved in the research happening in the HNRU.

0:34-0:44 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amy Tucker speaking directly to the camera in the HNRU kitchenette. While she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom left hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Text: Dr. Amy Tucker, Ph.D. HNRU Manager. Audio (Dr. Amy Tucker): Before a study begins, we receive approvals from the University of Guelph’s Human Research Ethics Board, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and any required regulatory bodies. Text appears on screen: Studies receive approvals from: -The University of Guelph’s Human Research Ethics Board -The Department of Environmental Health and Safety -Any required regulatory bodies.

0:44-0:55 [Screen changes to show a student greeting an incoming participant with a handshake before they sit down and read a study consent form.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): As a volunteer, you would always be told about all aspects of your participation before starting a study and reminded that you are free to withdraw your consent to participate at any time.

0:55-1:05 [Screen changes to show a participant being greeted by a student and then walk together to the sampling bay area.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): Potential study participants go through a screening and selection process with study coordinators to ensure that they meet the needs of each particular study. This process will usually require answering health history questions with a student researcher.

1:05-1:13 [Screen changes to show a student measuring the height of a participant and a phlebotomist preparing to take a blood sample.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): It may sometimes require body measurements or providing a blood sample with our medically trained phlebotomists.

1:13-1:18 [Screen changes to show Dr. David Mutch speaking directly to the camera, in the student work area. While he is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom left hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Dr. David Mutch): Participants can be involved in a variety of different ways, in the various studies we have in the HNRU. Text: David Mutch, Ph.D. HNRU Associate Director & HHNS Faculty.

1:18-1:24 [Screen changes to show participants in the food sensory booths completing food sensory questionnaires.] Audio voiceover (Dr. David Mutch): Some of our studies are only survey based and require a one-time visit or a completion of an online questionnaire.

1:24-1:33 [Screen changes to show a phlebotomist helping one participant with his intravenous line in the kitchen area. A research student brings the test food sample to the participant.] Audio voiceover (Dr. David Mutch): Other studies may require participants to consume specific food products, either at home or directly in the HNRU and then provide blood samples.

1:33-1:39 [Screen changes to show a phlebotomist taking a participant’s blood sample in the lounge area.] Audio voiceover (Dr. David Mutch): Our longest study visits are those that require larger volumes of blood collected at multiple time points during a day.

1:39-1:47 [Screen changes to show the lounge area. One participant is watching the TV, while another is reading a book.] Audio voiceover (Dr. David Mutch): We have a comfortable lounge for this purpose, where participants have Wi-Fi access or can just relax and watch a movie, read a book, or work.

1:47-1:50 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amy Tucker sitting at the kitchen table, speaking directly to the camera.] Audio (Dr. Amy Tucker): All of our participants in the HNRU are compensated for their time.

1:50-2:01 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright presenting a PowerPoint presentation. The projected screen is titled “Disseminating Our Work”.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): Participants will also receive feedback about the group and their individual results from the study, once all the analysis has been completed. It’s a nice way to capture the investment from our participants and provide some value back to them.

2:01-2:02 [Screen changes to show Premila Sathasivam talking to two research students, in proper lab attire, inside the HRNU lab.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): This is our classroom in action.

2:02-2:12 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright standing by the HNRU reception desk, speaking directly to the camera.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): When community members work with us on our research teams they’re helping us to train our students to apply the concepts they’re learning in the classroom, in real life, professional scenarios.

2:12-2:19 [Screen changes to show Premila Sathasivam in sampling bay, speaking directly to the camera. While she is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom left hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio (Premila Sathasivam): I truly enjoy watching the participants and the students interacting in the clinical studies. Text: Premila Sathasivam HNRU Lead Phlebotomist & Manager of HHNS Human Anatomy Program.

2:19-2:24 [Screen changes to show a student talking to the participant and writing down notes in the sampling bay.] Audio voiceover (Premila Sathasivam): Our students actually create a very inspiring and cheerful scientific environment.

2:24-2:36 [Screen changes to show a student writing. Screen changes to show another research student organizing serum samples in the lab. Screen changes to show a different research student speaking to a participant in the kitchen area.] Audio voiceover (Premila Sathasivam): I really enjoy observing our students explaining the science in their projects to the participants in a way that they public actually benefit from the knowledge and understand what’s going on at the University.

2:36-2:48 [Screen changes to the HNRU seminar room, where a student is speaking to Philip, a study participant. Then to show Philip speaking directly to the camera. While he is talking, black text on a white background slides into the bottom left hand corner of the screen and then slides off the screen again.] Audio voiceover (Philip): I got a huge amount of satisfaction being helpful to these students accomplishing their goals. They worked hard, they were very professional. Text: Philip Study Participant.

2:48-2:50 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amy Tucker sitting in the HNRU kitchenette area, speaking directly to the camera.] Audio (Dr. Amy Tucker): A lot of our participants really enjoy being part of the study team.

2:50-2:56 [Screen changes to show the title of a study poster "Understanding the importance of human participation for clinical research in the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit."] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amy Tucker): At the HNRU, that’s something that we really value and we care a lot about the experience that our participants have.

2:56-3:02 [Screen changes to show a close-up of a student’s gloved hands, transferring labelled blood samples to a test tube rack. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the video.] Text: “There was always a student ensuring all my needs were met. Everyone is very friendly and my time at the HNRU went by so quickly! I almost didn’t want to leave.” Linda Study Participant.

3:02-3:08 [Screen changes to show a video of two research students, in proper lab attire, working in the lab. Black text on a translucent white background appears on top of the video.] Text: “The Staff and students of the HNRU were wonderful. They were very professional, supportive and informative. Kudos to the HNRU for all their hard work and dedication to ongoing research!” Joanne Study Participant.

3:08-3:13 [Screen changes to show Philip speaking directly to the camera, in the sensory booth area.] Audio (Philip): I have actually advocated to all my friends to get involved.

3:13-3:19 [Screen changes to show two research students examining data in a binder.] Audio voiceover (Philip): I would say the biggest fear is people say, “well it would take too much time”, and the thing is, it didn’t take that much time.

3:20-3:28 [Screen changes to show the kitchenette where a participant is sitting at the table while a student is giving instructions on how to consume the food samples which have been packed in a bag.] Audio voiceover (Philip): Since having done my first volunteer here, I’ve continued on and done a whole lot more because it is rewarding.

3:28-3:31 [Screen changes to show Dr. Alison Duncan speaking directly to the camera while sitting in front of the Metabolic Test Kitchen.] Audio (Dr. Alison Duncan): Participants can really help to create new knowledge about how food and natural health products affect health.

3:31-3:36 [Screen changes to show some two books from Dr. Alison Duncan on the counter, “Functional Foods for Healthy Aging: A Toolkit for Registered Dietitians” and “Recipe Resource for Healthy Aging” standing up next to decorative jars containing lentils and barley.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): So many foods and natural health products are developed with health conditions in mind.

3:36-3:44 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright standing by the HNRU reception desk, speaking directly to the camera.] Audio (Dr. Amanda Wright): We need to be able to draw community members in that would stand to benefit and help us to validate the claims that are being made for those populations.

3:44-3:48 [Screen changes to show Dr. Amanda Wright presenting a PowerPoint presentation in the seminar room to a few students. The projected screen is titled “Thank You!”] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): When you participate in a clinical trial in the HNRU, you truly are a member of our research team.

3:48-3:54 [Screen changes to show an image of the entrance to the HNRU that is gradually faded out behind black text.] Audio voiceover (Dr. Amanda Wright): Thank you for contributing to research at the University of Guelph. We look forward to seeing you in the HNRU soon. Text: For more information visit our website www.uoguelph.ca/hnru or contact us at hnru@uoguelph.ca

3:54-3:56 [Screen changes to show a white background with the University of Guelph logo (on the left-hand side); Improve Life appears in black text (on the right-hand side); both gradually fade out along with the music.]

 

 

If you are looking for studies to participate in, please check out our page for Prospective Participants.

If you are currently enrolled in one of our studies, please check out our pages for Current Participants.