Dr. Osier, PhD, RN
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
Dell Medical School Department of Neurology
DIRECTOR
Biobehavioral Core of St. David's CHPR
Phone:
512-232-4755 (please leave a detailed voicemail)
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Email:
Office Address:
1710 Red River Street, Room 3.442, Austin, TX, 78701
Laboratory Address:
1701 Trinity Street, Room 5.222, Austin, TX, 78705
Hello! I'm Dr. Osier
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I am an early stage investigator fascinated by the mechanisms underlying neurological symptoms.
I hold a joint appointment at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing (primary) and Department of Neurology (secondary). My research interests surround how genomic and protein biomarkers can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of therapeutic response in neurological disorders; I am especially interested in the relationship between biological markers and symptoms (for example, those related to sleep, fatigue, stress, and depression). During my graduate studies and post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, I conducted both pre-clinical and clinical research examining changes in the neuroendocrine system (primarily the melatonergic system), inflammatory proteins (e.g. interleukin 6; tumor necrosis factor), neurodegenerative proteins (e.g. amyloid beta, tau), and single nucleotide polymorphisms and their association with symptoms and recovery-related outcomes after brain trauma. As a new assistant professor, I am continuing to expand my research and focus primarily on clinical traumatic brain injury; I am also working with collaborators to expand my program of research to study multiple sclerosis. As a nurse scientist, I am interested in combining genomic and protein information with key demographic, personal, and health data to holistically understand the underpinnings of symptoms. The overarching goal of this line of inquiry is to predict individuals most likely to develop debilitating symptoms known to negatively impact quality of life so that improved screening, monitoring, and treatments can be pursued.
EXPERIENCE & VISION
2005-2010
BS in Nutritional Science (2008)
BSN in Nursing (2010)
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
As an undergraduate I honed my research skills in several pre-clinical and clinical laboratories. I also volunteered at a hospital and decided to pursue a second degree in nursing
2010-2016
PhD in Nursing (2016)
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
As a graduate student, I received trans-disciplinary training in genomics, neuroscience, and nursing working with mentors at the School of Nursing, Brain Trauma Research Center, and Safar Center for Resuscitation Research
2016-2017
Post-Doctoral Fellowship
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
As a postdoctoral fellow, I further developed my clinical research skills examining protein and genomic biomarkers of brain trauma
2017-present
Assistant Professor
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
I am an early stage investigator expanding my program of research to study molecular biomarkers of brain injury and multiple sclerosis
For more information about
my research, please visit:
RESEARCH TEAM
Nico Osier
The One with the Ph.D.!
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The One Who Fixes Things! Masters of Mechanical Engineering Roles: Temporary lab manager, helping Dr. Osier get her equipment calibrated. He recently installed a new RAM chip into the centrifuge, and set up the computer associated with the Luminex Bioplex! He also oversees video recording to train future employees.
Post-Undergraduate Research Assistants
The Legit Nurse One!
The Supportive One!
The Blunt One!
The Caffeinated One!
The Kind One!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
The Cool One! Neuroscience Junior ---- University Leadership Network Goal: Become a PA specializing in surgery Roles: Running Assays, Programming Pipettes Fun Fact: Can Solve a Rubix Cube
The Nice One!
The Ambitious One!
The Compassionate One!
The Eager One!
The Savvy One!
The Creative One!
The Organized One! Sophomore studying Biochemistry Fun fact: Emily is from Chicago!
The Positive One!
The Jolly One!
The Persistent One!
The Quiet One!
The Determined One!
The Purposeful One!
The Eco-friendly One!
The Magical One!
The Balanced One!
The Goofy One!
The Encouraging One!
The Lively One!
The Smiley One!
The Sarcastic One!
The Chill One! Neuroscience major
The Spunky One!
The Diligent One!
The Earnest One!
The Sharp One!
The Caring One!
The Ninja One!
The Perceptive One!
The Enthusiastic One!
The Observant One!
The Inquisitive One!
The Loyal One!
The Excited One!
The Adventurous One!
The Friendly One!
The Running One!
The Quirky One!
The Empathetic One!
The Opalescent One!
The Passionate One!
Osier Alumni
RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Laboratory Methods
Protein Quantification
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis
Clinical Populations
Traumatic Brain Injury
Multiple Sclerosis
Military Populations
CURRENT PROJECTS
We are thrilled to announce that we are launching a new study at Dell Children’s Medical Center; our goal is to add important evidence to support precision care initiatives for brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury
-Currently planning a pediatric TBI study
-Ultrasensitive protein biomarker quantification
-Recruitment at DCMC (Spring 2018)
-Many data-based and review papers in progress
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Multiple Sclerosis
-Ultrasensitive protein biomarker quantification
-Recruitment by mail (Spring 2018)
-Grants & Review manuscript in development
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PUBLICATIONS
Claire Slote
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Class of 2018
Variation in candidate TBI biomarker genes are associated with gross neurological outcomes after severe TBI.
Journal of Neurotrauma
Osier, N., Conley, Y., Okonkwo, D. O., & Puccio, A. (2018). Variation in candidate TBI biomarker genes are associated with gross neurological outcomes after severe TBI. Journal of Neurotrauma
Animal Models in Genomic Research: Techniques, Applications, and Roles for Nurses
Applied Nursing Research
Osier, N. D., Pham, L., Savarese, A., Sayles, K., Alexander, S. A. (2016). Animal models in genomic research: Techniques, applications, and roles for nurses. Applied Nursing Research, 32, 247-256.
The Controlled Cortical Impact Model: Applications, Considerations for Researchers, and Future Directions
Frontiers in Neurology
Osier, N. D., & Dixon, C. E. (2016). The Controlled Cortical Impact Model: Applications, considerations for researchers, and future directions. Frontiers in Neurology, 7, 134. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00134
Chronic histopathological and behavioral outcomes of experimental traumatic brain injury in adult male animals
Journal of Neurotrauma
Osier, N. D., Carlson, S. W., DeSana, A., & Dixon, C. E. (2015). Chronic histopathological and behavioral outcomes of experimental traumatic brain injury in adult male animals. Journal of Neurotrauma, 32(23), 1861-1882.
Exosomes in Acquired Neurological Disorders: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Treatment.
Molecular Neurobiology
Osier, N. D., Motamedi, V., Edwards, K., Puccio, A., Diaz-Arrastia, R., Kenney, K., & Gill, J. (2018). Exosomes in Acquired Neurological Disorders: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Treatment. Submitted to Molecular Neurobiology
Corrigendum to "Moderate blast exposure results in increased IL-6 and TNFa in peripheral blood"
Brain, Behavior and Immunity
Gill, J., Motamedi, V., Osier, N., Dell, K., Arcurio, L., Carr, W., Walker, P., Ahlers, S., LoPresti, M., & Yarnell, A. (2017). Moderate blast exposure results in increased IL-6 and TNFα in peripheral blood. Brain Behavior & Immunity, 65, 90-94. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.02.015
Brain injury results in lower levels of melatonin receptors subtypes MT1 and MT2
Neuroscience Letters
Osier, N., Pham, L., Pugh, B., Puccio, A. M., Ren, D., Conley, Y. P, Alexander, S., & Dixon, C. E. (2017). Brain injury results in lower levels of melatonin receptors subtypes MT1 and MT2. Neuroscience Letters, 650, 18-24.
Found in translation: Understanding the biology and behavior of experimental traumatic brain injury.
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Bondi, C. O., Semple, B. D., Noble-Haeusslein, L. J., Osier, N. D., Carlson, S. W., Dixon, C. E., Giza, C. C., & Kline, A. E. (2015). Found in translation: Understanding the biology and behavior of experimental traumatic brain injury. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 58, 123-146.
Melatonin as a Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review of Published Evidence.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Osier, N., McGreevy, E., Pham, L., Puccio, A., Ren, D.; Conley, Y.P., Alexander, S., Dixon, C.E. Melatonin as a Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Review of Published Evidence. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2018, 19, 1539.
Moderate Blast Exposure Alters Gene Expression and Levels of Amyloid Precursor Protein
Neurology Genetics
Gill, J., Cashion, A., Osier, N., Arcurio, L., Motamedi, V., Dell, K., Carr, W., Kim, H.-S., Yun, S., Walker, P., Ahlers, S., LoPresti, M., & Yarnell, A. (2017). Moderate blast exposure alters gene expression and levels of amyloid precursor protein. Neurology: Genetics, 3(5), e186. doi: 10.1212/NXG.0000000000000186.
Variation in PPP3CC Genotype Is Associated with Long-Term Recovery after Severe Brain Injury.
Journal of Neurotrauma
Osier, N. D., Bales, J. W., Pugh, B., Shin, S., Wyrobek, J., Puccio, A. M., Okonkwo, D. O., Ren, D., Alexander, S., Conley, Y. P., & Dixon, C. E. (2017). Variation in PPP3CC is associated with long-term recovery after severe brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 34(1), 86-96. doi: 10.1089/neu.2015.4343
The Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Experimental Brain Trauma: Overview, Research Applications, and Protocol
Methods in Molecular Biology
Osier, N., & Dixon, C.E. (2016). The Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Experimental Brain Trauma: Overview, research applications, and protocol. Methods in Molecular Biology, 1462, 177-192.
Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and psychosocial predictors of attrition across behavioral weight-loss trials.
Eating Behaviors
Goode, R. W., Ye, L., Sereika, S. M. Zheng, Y., Mattos, M., Acharya, S. D., Ewing, L. J., Danford, C., Hu, L., Imes, C. C., Chasens, E., Osier, N., Mancino, J., Burke, L. E. (2016). Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and psychosocial predictors of attrition across behavioral weight-loss trials. Eating Behaviors, 20, 27-33.
POSTERS & PRESENTATIONS
DR O'S STAR STUDENTS
Highlights
At the 2018 Sustainability Showdown, Dr. Osier spoke passionately about the environment and their efforts to empower nursing students to be key contributors to a sustainable future by minimizing waste and maximizing patient outcomes.
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Dr. Osier is generously donating $250 from their speaker's fee to create a scholarship for a student with an interest in sustainability. To learn more about this scholarship, click here.
The Green Fund Grant Program at UT Austin will support a project led by Bethaney Watson, Nicole Osier and Dean Wilcox to establish a styrofoam, plastic film and cold pack recycling program at Dell Med's Health Discovery Building.
Dr. Osier was featured in the September issue of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Bulletin. A former member of the GNSA Leadership Council, Dr. Osier is recognized for their positions in the School of Nursing (Holistic Adult Health Division) at the University of Texas at Austin and at Dell Medical School (Department of Neurology). They are also the Director of the Biobehavioral Core of St. David's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research in Underserved Populations (CHPR).
In 2015 the GNSA hosted a video competition titled "My Vision for Nursing."Nicole Osier, PhD, RN, a graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, won the video competition by focusing on the collaboration between nursing researchers and practitioners for improved patient outcomes. To view her winning video, click here.
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To see how Dr. Osier is currently living her dream, click here to view their updated video.
See what we're up to!
@osierlaboratory
Dr. Osier was featured in the September E-update for the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG). The newsletter highlighted the process of moving in to the new lab space at Dell Medical School. To watch the process unfold, you may find the video here.
Dr. Osier will also be giving a poster presentation at the 2018 ISONG World Congress entitled: "Method to the Madness: Advice for Setting up a Molecular-Genomics Laboratory." Be sure to catch Dr. Osier's presentation in October 26-28, 2018 in Orlando, Florida!
Watch Dr. Osier's Philosophy on Teaching
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Dr. Osier's CHPR Biobehavioral Laboratory is committed to conducting high-quality research and securely storing our data. To facilitate achieving our high-standards for research integrity, our laboratory recently switched to using SciNote, an electronic lab notebook (ELN) system that offers security, encryption, and many other features in a user-friendly interface. With a free account, members of our team can plan experiments, track progress on projects, and securely store results. Our team loves that we can use SciNote to securely store everything in one place, so we never have to search for the most updated version of the protocol or the associated plate maps, data files, and other documentation! If you want to join our team, you're going to need to learn how to use SciNote, but don't worry--it's the most intuitive ELN system we have found, and there are a lot of helpful tutorials and resources to get you started, including this list curated by Dr. Osier.