College of Medicine

- Admissions Overview
- - MD Program
    UNMC's rigorous academics, diverse clinical experiences and supportive environment put you on the path to becoming a skilled, compassionate physician.
  - How to Apply
    UNMC prepares medical degree students to meet the needs of patients through clinical practice, biomedical science and research, problem-solving and compassion.
  - Contact Us
    Review contact information for the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the College of Medicine at UNMC.
  - Verification and State Licensure
    Review opportunities for state licensure following completion of the MD program in the College of Medicine at UNMC.
- - MD-MBA Program
    A combined MD-MBA degree equips you with the tools you need to become highly skilled in both management and medicine.
  - MD-MPH Program
    Pursue your passion for public health and medicine with a combined MD-MPH and help solve complex health problems.
  - MD-PhD Program
    Do you have a passion for caring for patients and for research? Consider the dual MD-PhD degree.
- Education Overview
- - Curriculum
    Our curriculum produces physicians whose foundation in basic, clinical, and health systems sciences prepare them to promote health and reduce patient suffering.
  - Graduation Requirements
    Review requirements for students pursuing an MD at the UNMC College of Medicine to graduate and receive their degree.
  - Objectives
    The objectives of UNMC's medical degree program are to prepare you for success in primary care or specialty fields.
  - Service Learning
    Active participation in community service provides critical opportunities to apply skills and knowledge gained in medical school and develop a sense of empathy.
- - Enhanced Medical Education
    Enhanced Medical Education Tracks offer medical students an opportunity to perform an in-depth study of an interdisciplinary field of medicine.
  - MD Honor’s Thesis Program
    The MD honors thesis encourages students to engage in scientific research during medical education and become eligible to graduate with honors.
- Research Overview
- Internal Grants
  The College of Medicine has a variety of research-related grant and award opportunities available to UNMC faculty.
- Comparative Effectiveness Research
  The Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) program identifies knowledge gaps in the effectiveness of clinical care and improves CER in these areas.
- Great Plains IDeA-CTR
  The Great Plains IDeA-CTR is a collaborative effort between nine regional institutions that provides training, resources. and funding to regional researchers.
- Research and Development Committee
  The Research and Development Committee handles funding opportunities for faculty, including the Bridge Funding program, and student research opportunities.
- Student Opportunities
  The College of Medicine provides a variety of research opportunities for both current and prospective UNMC students.
- Residencies & Fellowships Overview
- Graduate Medical Education Programs
  UNMC's dozens of programs--including nearly 20 in internal medicine--allow residents and fellows a variety of specialties.
- House Officer Resources
  Find information for residents and fellows, including salaries, benefits and nearby housing.
- House Officer Wellness
  Wellness resources for residents and fellows include an assistance program and a private wellness lounge.
- Research
  We aim to facilitate house officers’ involvement in research in the areas of patient safety, quality improvement, healthcare disparities and education research.
- Salary and Benefits
  Paid vacation and professional leave, health insurance and meal allowances are just a few of the benefits residents receive in addition to their yearly salary.
- Contact Us
  Reach out to the Graduate Medical Education office for information about benefits, contracts, orientation or graduation.
Departments

— College of Medicine — Department of Internal Medicine — Divisions — Gastroenterology and Hepatology (GI) — Our Faculty — Natalia Osna, PhD

Natalia Osna, PhD

Professor, UNMC Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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Phone: 402-995-3735

Natalia Osna, PhD

Dr. Osna's research involves the role of inflammation, innate immunity, apoptosis, proteasome dysfunctions and extracellular vesicles in the mechanisms of liver disease development; alcohol-induced liver injury; HIV-triggered liver injury; HCV, HBV and HIV-co-infections; second hits (co-infections, alcohol) in potentiation of HIV-induced liver and fibrosis progression.

Research Interests

Role of inflammation
Innate immunity
Apoptosis, proteasome dysfunctions and extracellular vesicles in the mechanisms of liver disease development
Alcohol-induced liver injury
HIV-triggered liver injury
HCV, HBV and HIV-co-infections
Second hits (co-infections, alcohol) in potentiation of HIV-induced liver and fibrosis progression

Active Grant Support

Active

"New generation of long acting nucleos(t)ides and immune stimulant for treatment of chronic hepatitis B" Co-Investigator (Poluektova), DHHS/NIH/NIAID
"Extracellular vesicles as the vehicles for promoting liver injury induced by HIV and alcohol" Principal Investigator, DHHS/NIH/NIAAA

Pending

"Alcohol Center Of Research-Nebraska (ACORN)" Other (Casey), DHHS/NIH/NIAAA
"Nanoformulation Development and Evaluation in Liver Fibrotic Mouse Models" Co-Investigator (Mahato), DHHS/NIH
"Extracellular vesicles in alcohol -induced HIV-1 pathogenesis and neuronal damage" Co-Investigator (Gorantla), University of Tennessee Health Science Center
"Sorting of non-ISGylated HIV proteins to hepatic exosomes promotes liver fibrosis development: role of alcohol" Principal Investigator, DHHS/NIH/NIAAA
"Role of Lysosome Damage in ALD Pathogenesis" Co-Investigator (Thomes), DHHS/NIH/NIAAA

Education

MD: Riga Medical Institute, Riga, Latvia, 1978,
PhD: 1984, Immunology, Latvian Medical Academy, Riga, Latvia, 1978