Get Involved
The mission of the Pepper Research Network on Aging (PRNA) is to promote and foster inclusion of older adults living in the community and across the continuum of care in University of Pittsburgh research studies. The PRNA maintains two registries that recruits and enrolls older adults who are willing to be contacted about potential research opportunites.
For Community Members
Community Research Connection
Are you or someone you know over the age of 60, still living independently, and interested in participating in age-related research?
You or they may be eligible to enroll in the Community Research Connection (formerly the Pepper Center Research Registry) for older adults. The National Institutes of Health and the University of Pittsburgh have developed the Claude D. Pepper Research Center to study mobility and balance in older Americans.
The purpose of this Community Research Connection is to collect a list of volunteers interested in participating in research studies on aging, balance and mobility.
Participants will be contacted about potential research studies they may be eligible for in order to decide if they want to participate in those studies. Studies may include physical therapy, fall and fracture prevention, medications, and age-related issues.
Interested in enrolling? Please contact the Community Research Connection Team at 412-692-2843 or e-mail them here.
Platinum Senior-Living Registry
Are you or someone you know over the age of 55 and currently residing in a senior-living facility or attending an adult day program?
You or they may be eligible to enroll in the Platinum Research Registry for Senior-Living Residents. The Platinum Registry enrolls residents of any kind of senior-living community, including senior apartments, high-rises, independent-living communities, personal care, and skilled nursing facilities. The Platinum Registry enrolls residents who are willing to consider participating in research studies, as well as Senior-Living communities and Adult Day Programs interested in participating as a site for future research studies.
Participants will be contacted about potential research studies they may be eligible for in order to decide if they want to participate in those studies. Studies may include physical therapy, fall and fracture prevention, medications, sleep, and age-related issues. The Platinum Registry facilities studies on-site, or provides transportation to Oakland for participants to make sure residents with mobility and transportation issues are still able to participate.
We currently have over 40 sites participating in our registry. For more information about joining the registry or to find out if your residence is an active participant, please contact the Pepper Registry Team at 412-692-2843 or e-mail them here.
Community Advisory Board (CAB)
The Pepper Community Advisory Board is made up of Pepper Investigators, research coordinators, community stakeholders and community members who have participated in Pepper studies.
The CAB provides advice and feedback for Pepper activities including the Pepper Research Network on Aging research registries. Investigators can present research ideas to gauge CAB interest and receive advice about implementation. The CAB may also make suggestions to improve the study processes.
If you are a past or present research participant who is over 55 years old, and you are interested in providing feedback to the CAB regarding your participation, please contact Dr. Steven Albert at 412-383-8693 or e-mail him here.
Pepper Center and the Community
Our staff is available for presentations and tabling events in the community. Please contact us if you are interested in having someone from our organization attend your next event.
Contact us at pepperoa@pitt.edu
Live in a Senior Living Community?
Learn more about us by playing the video below!
To find out if your Senior Living Community is already a part of the Platinum Research Registry, or if you would like to take part, email us at pepperoa@pitt.edu.
Dr. Susan Greenspan and coordinator Maddie Rigatti present to the residents of Cumberland Woods Village on February 10th, 2020 about osteoporosis and updates in aging research.
October 24th, 2019: Drs. Greenspan, Rodakowski, and Brach presented alongside coordinator Maddie Rigatti to the residents of Sherwood Oaks on various age-related topics; including osteoporosis, healthy brain aging, and fall prevention. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for research studies. This team is available for community presentations.
Please contact Dr. Steven Albert at 412-383-8693 or e-mail him here, if you are interested in having them present at your next event.