Researchers Want You to Spit for Science

Eight students in Human Evolutionary Biology 1418: “Endocrinology and Behavior” are practically drooling over the possibility of you giving them your saliva.

Over the next two weeks, HEB 1418 aims to explore the relationships between hormones and the prevalence of certain traits in men and women, according to Susan F. Lipson ’75, an HEB lecturer. Results of the study go towards the students’ individual research projects, which could make headway in identifying factors associated with disease prevalence.

But to get that data, the researchers need you. More specifically, they want you to drool in front of a mirror, filling up two tubes with your precious saliva. From there, your finger size will be evaluated in addition to your shoulder span and hip and waist measurements.

It’s a painless process and comes with free gum and treats. Their doors are open between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays on the fifth floor of the Peabody Museum, so if you’re interested in donating your slobber for science, the researchers would be more than happy if you dropped by.

Photo by Meghan M. Brockmeyer/The Harvard Crimson.