USDA-ARS Postgraduate Fellowship in Rice Utilization and Cancer Prevention

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-ARS-SEA-

New Orleans, Louisiana

The participant will conduct research on the anticancer properties of rice and other plant‑derived bioactive compounds. The project integrates analytical chemistry, natural products isolation, and cell‑based bioassays to identify and characterize compounds that inhibit breast cancer cell growth and reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

• Assess cytotoxicity and anticancer potential of plant extracts and purified compounds derived from rice, soybean, and sugarcane using breast cancer cell lines.
• Evaluate the ability of extracts and isolated bioactives to inhibit ROS formation and other stress‑related pathways in cell‑based models.
• Collaborate with chemists to perform bioassay‑guided fractionation to isolate, purify, and characterize active compounds.
• Support project goals by screening additional phytochemicals and extracts from other plant materials for anticancer and antioxidant activities.

• Mammalian cell culture and viability assays, including maintenance of cancer cell lines, execution of cytotoxicity assays, and quantification of growth inhibition.
• Mechanistic cell‑based assays, including measurement of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation, apoptosis markers, and other pathways affected by bioactive compounds.
• Analytical chemistry techniques for screening and characterizing phytochemicals, including extract preparation, chromatography, and bioassay‑guided fractionation in collaboration with chemists.
• Data analysis and interpretation, including statistical evaluation of dose–response effects, comparison of extract fractions, and integration of biological and chemical datasets.
• Scientific communication and collaboration, including preparation of manuscripts, presentation of research findings, and coordination with researchers at Tulane University’s cancer biology laboratories.

Stephen Boue (steve.boue)

Anticipated Appointment

Start Date:

2026 (start date flexible)

Appointment Length:
Initially one year, may be renewed upon recommendation and contingent on funding availability.

Level of Participation:
Full time

Monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Annual range: $36,000 – $43,000.

U.S. citizen only.

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field within the past four years.

• Knowledge of basic biochemistry and molecular biology laboratory techniques.
• Background in mammalian cell culture, including maintaining breast cancer cell lines and performing cell viability, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress assays.
• Experience with biochemical and molecular biology techniques, such as qPCR, Western blotting, colony formation assay, cell imaging, and apoptosis/ROS assays.
• Familiarity with natural products chemistry or phytochemical analysis, including extract preparation, chromatographic separation, or bioassay‑guided fractionation.
• Experience analyzing complex biological data, including dose–response modeling, statistical comparisons of treatment effects, and integration of chemical and biological datasets.