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.
  - Community Service
    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
Patient Care

Laboratory of James Ahodantin, Msc, PhD

Research Interests

My research focuses on how viral infections and metabolic dysfunction drive chronic liver disease. My lab investigates the interactions among HBV, HIV, metabolic stress, and alcohol exposure in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We use advanced in vitro systems and mouse models to define the roles of innate immune cells—particularly plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and macrophages—in regulating inflammation, fibrosis, and liver cancer. Our long-term goal is to identify immune and metabolic pathways that can be targeted to prevent or reverse chronic liver disease progression.

Ongoing Projects

Mechanisms of HEPLISAV-B Treatment to Overcome HBV-Induced Immune Tolerance
Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis
Immunomodulatory Role of lipids and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in MASH and HCC
Effect of Alcohol on HIV- and HBV-Induced Liver Disease

Lab Personnel

Ashwin Barath Vaidhyalingham, MS

Research Technologist I

Akhilesh Kode

Summer Student 2026

Dhyey Patel

Summer Student 2026

Tolerogenic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis.

American Liver Foundation 2025-Pilot Research Award

AASLD 2026 Pinnacle Research Award in Liver Diseases: HEPLISAV-B Treatment Overcomes Immune Tolerance to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus

2026-2029

Budget: $300,000

Development Startup Package-University of Nebraska Medical Center

2025-2028

Budget: Confidential.

ACORN 2026-Pilot Research Award: Alcohol potentiates HBV-induced mitochondrial dysfunction to enhance immune tolerance

2026-2027

Budget: $25,000.

American Liver Foundation 2025-Pilot Research Award: Tolerogenic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Autoimmune Hepatitis

2025-2026

Budget: $50,000.