5 Scientific Studies You Can Volunteer for Today
The world may be at a standstill, but science marches on
Along with practically everything else, the pandemic has put a moratorium on countless field studies and clinical trials that aren’t Covid-19-related. For example, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies’ fieldwork involving mapping the disrupted circadian rhythms of night-shift workers like firefighters had to be put on hold because firefighters are needed as first responders to viral outbreaks now. At Cornell University, a study on how insects fly involving genetically engineered fruit flies came to a halt when the physics labs were shuttered, and a month’s worth of fly breeding had to be thrown out.
Some of these setbacks could cause lasting and even irreversible impacts on vital scientific research.
Many other studies, however, have been able to progress because the work and research can be done away from the lab or field. Those that are perhaps most primed to weather the coronavirus storm are the ones that call on average people to lend a hand from wherever they happen to live — not necessarily as study subjects but as research analysts.
There are actually a number of ongoing studies looking for “citizen scientists” to participate. If you’re looking for a new pandemic project, one of…
