Anger, depression and excitement — human behaviorisms have intrigued many for centuries. What triggers these emotions and why do people react differently? These questions and more are what sparked the founding of UW Medical Center's Clinical Trials Unit, a research center dedicated to conducting experiments with humans.

"The Clinical Trials Unit has been funded by the National Institutes of Health for over 45 years," said Dr. Nora Disis, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology.

According to the Health Sciences Web site, "this facility has diverse research programs that study specific diseases, new treatments, prevention methods and other research to understand human health and behavior."

Researchers at Hall Health and the Health Sciences Center specialize in studies regarding food and nutrition, alcoholism, human behavior and vaccinations. These on-campus branches enable college students to partake in the UW Medical Center's desire to inquire.

"Undergraduate campuses are number one for a lot of our studies," said Dr. Connie Mao, assistant professor in assessment and gynecology. "Undergraduates are fun and willing."

Mao said the Clinical Trials Unit is where the community comes in and gets intimately involved. The community becomes part of the process.

Depending on each specific study, volunteers, blood donors and hospital patients are welcome to participate. Prior to each study, participants fill out paperwork and undergo an examination or physical.

"We do research with volunteers to discover new genes associated with health and metabolism. There is a nutrition laboratory at the med-center to study feeding of set foods, fat requirements and how food affects metabolism," Disis said.

Studying the effects of metabolism can reveal answers about weight gain and nutrition. Studies often lead to breakthrough discoveries on what ignites diseases and ways to prevent the flame from spreading.

UW scientists reach students and other potential volunteers via email, letter or telephone. In many cases students are randomly selected to participate in various studies.

"We have enrolled hundreds, probably thousands, for these research trials," Mao said.

If researchers are looking for a specific age group or a particular weight class, admission into the study is limited.

"Many of the investigators would love to have undergraduates help them or potentially have part time jobs with them," Disis said.

This opens the door to anyone interested in a career in bio medics. Students focusing on pre-med, nursing or pharmacy degrees can benefit from these on campus facilities.

"I was randomly selected out of 3,500 students at UW to be a part of the MC2 Project on studying alcoholism," sophomore Benjamin Lealofi said.

Drinkers, non-drinkers and casual drinkers are randomly selected for the MC2 Project study. Alcoholism is the dependency and addiction of alcohol.

"They sent me a letter asking if I want to be a part of this research," Lealofi said. "All I had to do was log onto the personalized MC2 Project Web site to do an online survey."

Various results about one's health can stem from conducting these research studies.

"If I didn't do the menopausal study, I would have never found out I have lower thyroid disease," said Vicky Gezon, Registered Nurse at Foster High School. "The doctors were able to give me a small dosage of medicine to treat the disease."

One achievement resulting from a series of studies is the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine.

"We've had incredible success with the HPV vaccine. For the past nine years, we have been doing vaccine trials," Disis said.

According to the HPV vaccine Web site, "abnormal cells caused by HPV, can become cervical pre-cancers and then cervical cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both male and female."

In addition to new methods of contraception, the HPV vaccine assists in safer sex.

"There is a 70 percent chance that women who are sexually active will contract this disease," Gezon said.

The Clinical Trials Unit is focusing on developing a stage II vaccine for HPV and future HPV vaccines for males. As for future trials, Mao stresses the importance of public participation in order for studies to continue.

"We couldn't do it without our volunteers, for sure," Mao said.

[Reach reporter Chenelle Tyack at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]