Gary Pickard

Gary Pickard is a distinguished Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. With a career spanning over four decades, he has made significant contributions to the understanding of neuroinvasion and neuroanatomy. His research primarily focuses on the neuroinvasive mechanisms of simplexviruses and varicelloviruses, with a particular emphasis on Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV1) and Pseudorabies Virus (PRV). Since 1997, Pickard has been collaborating with Dr. Lynn Enquist to utilize PRV as a transneuronal neuroanatomical tracing tool. This collaboration has been instrumental in advancing the field of neuroanatomy, providing new insights into the pathways and mechanisms of viral transport within the nervous system. His work has been pivotal in elucidating the complex interactions between viruses and neuronal structures, contributing to a deeper understanding of viral pathogenesis. In addition to his work with Dr. Enquist, Pickard has also collaborated with Dr. Patricia Sollars and Dr. Greg Smith at Northwestern University. Together, they have explored the roles of tegument proteins pUL36 and pUL37, uncovering their neuroinvasive-specific functions that are crucial in neurons. These findings have significant implications for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting viral infections of the nervous system. Pickard's expertise in circadian rhythm organization further complements his research endeavors. His extensive experience in this area has provided valuable insights into the temporal regulation of viral infections and their impact on neuronal function. His work has been recognized for its innovative approach and its potential to inform the development of novel therapeutic interventions. The collaborative environment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, coupled with Pickard's access to state-of-the-art facilities, has fostered a productive and exciting research atmosphere. His contributions to the field of neuroscience continue to expand our understanding of neuroinvasion and retrograde transport of viruses in axons, paving the way for future discoveries in the field.