Welcome to the NAMRL 

Research Opportunities Page!

 

 

 

The Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory at Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) Dayton conducts human-subject research to better understand and mitigate challenges and threats aerospace operational environments pose to service members. Research areas include visual and auditory sciences, acceleration, altitude effects, motion sickness, vestibular function, en route patient care, back and neck pain injury, virtual reality and more.   

 

  • Opportunities are open to the public and military community, provided individual study qualifications are met.
  • We are located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Area B, Building 851.
    • A visitor pass may be provided for base access. Requirements include U.S. citizenship or a I551 green card, and no disqualifying legal offenses.
  • Each flyer below represents an open research study currently seeking participants. Email the specific study contact for questions and enrollment.
  • Compensation is generally provided for the participants’ time.
    • DoD and Federal employees must be on leave or off-duty to receive the full compensation and bonus. Exception: On-duty (during working hours) participants may receive $50 per blood draw if it’s required for the study. Select studies are eligible for Military Hazard Duty Incentive Pay.
  • This is a great opportunity to increase professional development and earn joint mission experience while supporting Naval research that benefits the warfighter.
    • Participation qualifies as volunteer experience.
    • Active duty may list participation as a bullet on performance reports

*Tricare is a health program for military members (active duty, reserve, guard, retirees, etc.) and their family members. Select studies require participants to be on Tricare health insurance; both the military member and their dependents are eligible for participation.

Studies that do not require TriCare

 

 

Visual-Vestibular Characteristics of Motion Sickness Susceptibility (VCMSs)
This study explores the association between visual-vestibular function and motion sickness susceptibility.
Compensation: up to $400
Time: 2 visits, ~6 hrs
Qualifications: Aged 18-50; No history of vestibular dysfunction; No current use of any psychiatric, anti-nausea, or motion sickness medications; See flyer for more details
Vection study Vection
You will view several visual displays that may or may not elicit a visual illusion and respond if you do experience it.
Compensation: $50
Time: 1 visit, ~1.5 hrs
Qualifications: Age 18-45; Normal or corrected-to-normal vision; Must pass prescreening for certain medical conditions

MPT VR-Study 2

Help researchers create aviator assessments in Virtual Reality. You will perform several tasks in VR while we assess performance and physiology, then answer questions about your experience.

Compensation: $30/hr, $90 total
Time: 1 visit, 3 hrs total
Qualifications: Normal or corrected-to-normal vision with contact lenses; No regular tobacco usage in the last 6 months; No color vision deficiencies (i.e. color blindness); See flyer for more details.
Effects of Aircraft Vibration on the Neck
This study explores the effect that military helicopter vibration has on neck muscle activity and head/helmet motion.
Compensation: $75 total or Hazard Duty Incentive Pay
Time: 1 visit, 3 hrs total
Qualifications: Must be Active Duty or Government Civilian; Must pass flight physical (DD2992); No back injuries or surgeries; See flyer for more details.

 

 

Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise (AFTE)
This study evaluates the effect of AFTE as a strategy to mitigate cybersickness.
Compensation: up to $480
Time: 5-7 visits, 2-3 hrs each
Qualifications: Age 18-45; No significant experience with virtual reality; Current medications are subject to medical consultant approval for participation; See flyer for more details
Meteorological Transitions
You will perform a flight-related task while brain activity is recorded non-invasively via EEG.
Compensation: $25
Time: 1 visit , ~1 hr
Qualifications: Age 18-45; Normal or corrected-to-normal vision; Must pass prescreening for certain medical conditions

Visual Context and Flight Behaviors

We are studying how people respond to different visual cues during flight. You will fly a series of flights in VR under different visual conditions.

Compensation: $75 total
Time: 1 visit, ~2 hrs total
Qualifications: Age 18-40; Comfortable wearing a VR headset; Flight experience NOT required; See flyer for more.
Hesperidin
This study evaluates the effects of a dietary supplement to mitigate motion sickness
Compensation: $250
Time: 1 visit, 3-5 hrs
Qualifications: Age 18-54; No history of vestibular dysfunction; Current medications are subject to medical consultant approval for participation; See flyer for more details.
IV Insertion Under Degraded Vision
Participants will perform IV catheter insertions via training arm under various visual conditions (e.g. Night Vision Devices) with and without the use of an FDA-approved eye drop that constricts the pupil and impacts focus.
Compensation: $700 
Time commitment: 8 sessions, ~2 hrs each
Qualifications: IV insertion experience; Ages 18-39; 20/40 (near) visual acuity or better; US citizen; Meet medical requirements. See flyer for more details. 
Contact: namru.dayton.visionscience@us.af.mil

Symbolic Processing and Flight Instruments

We are studying how different flight instruments affect cognitive processing. You will fly multiple flights under different conditions in a flight simulator.
Compensation: $50 total
Time: 1 visit, ~1.5-2 hrs total
Qualifications: Must have soloed in an aircraft; Any vision correction must be compatible with our eye tracker; See flyer for more

Studies that do require TriCare

 

 

SWAN
Help researchers evaluate a potential motion sickness treatment device. You will complete a series of motion sickness and vestibular function tests before and after a 1-hour spin in the 711th HPW centrifuge.
Compensation: $50/hr, $50 completion bonus
Time: 2 sessions, ~8 hrs total
Qualifications: Age 18-55; Valid up-chit or current FAA Medical Certificate; Not be prone to significant motion sickness; See flyer for more details
IVIVE
 
Participants will breathe different oxygen levels while completing short cognitive tasks, wearing an EEG cap, and undergoing several blood draws.
Compensation: $50/blood draw, 9 total blood draws
Time: 6 visits, ~4.5 hrs total
Qualifications: Age 18-45; Certain medical/psychological conditions excluded; See flyer for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out-of-Area Studies

CHAN

Help researchers investigate the effect of low oxygen exposures within the brain. You will wear an EEG cap, perform cognitive tasks, and undergo a 1-hr MRI scan.
Compensation: $40/hr, $120 completion bonus, $400 total
Time: 2 visits, ~7 hrs total
Qualifications: Age 18-45; Be MRI eligible (no metal implants); See flyer for more details