Univ. of Iowa opens Cedar Rapids research hub to diversify research subjects

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – For any type of research, the people you’re testing can have a big impact on the findings. And nobody knows this better that one University of Iowa Researchers Bob McMurray and Bruce Bartholow.

Having spent years studying children’s cognition and alcohol use in Iowa City, they say they’re thrilled to finally be doing it in a new place.

We wanted to reach a more diverse a more real world population. We want to get people from all walks of life, we want to get people from different types of employment, different types of environments, different types of schools. And Cedar Rapids just seemed like a perfect place to do it.” said McMurray, a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Both McMurray and Bartholow are two of the new inhabitants in the university’s new research hub in Cedar Rapids. And after years of testing primarily college students, they’re hoping to find different types of people.

“Everyone who pays taxes is paying for this research… We’re trying to involve as many different types of people as we can in the research process so that they derive direct benefits, hopefully, from their tax dollars funding this work.” said Bartholow, a UI Ketchel Family Chair and Professor.

By doing research with Cedar Rapids’ more diverse population, their findings will likely be more general, covering groups across different ages, races, sexes, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Meaning they could impact the greater good of not just Iowans, but the nation as a whole.

For those interested in learning more or potentially being a test subject in some of their research, more information can be found here.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.