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USDA-ARS Summer Faculty Nutrition and Aging Fellowship

*Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis.

ARS Office/Lab and LocationA research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), located in Albany, California.

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.

Research Project This research project will provide the participant with the opportunity to learn to conduct memory tests in mice using the Morris Water Maze. The object of the study is to determine if high fat diets known to induce low level chronic inflammation affects memory with age. Aging will be accelerated by the galactose method known to induce inflammation in the brain. In addition to comparing the effects of high fat diets with a low fat diet, high fat diets will be supplemented with food components known to reduce inflammation and characteristics of obesity related metabolic disease.  

Learning ObjectivesAs a result of this training the participant will learn the experimental procedures of performing the Morris water maze test on mice. The training will include hands-on handling of mice, preparation of the water maze apparatus, use of camera and tracking software. An important part of the training will be learning to analyze the data and prepare a report suitable for publication. The participant will also learn to prepare diets based on best nutritional practices and make daily observations to assure their health and wellbeing. The participant will also learn to analyze food composition using high-pressure lipid extractor, combustion nitrogen analyzer, and high performance liquid chromatography.

Mentor(s)The mentor for this opportunity is Wallace Yokoyama (wally.yokoyama@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 18, 2022.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for five weeks, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.

ORISE InformationThis program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email USDA-ARS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (Food Science, Nutrition) and be a faculty member in a department of food science and/or nutrition.

Degree must have been received within 15 years of the appointment start date.

Experience with use of mice in nutrition research is preferred.