Greg Brennan, DVM, PhD
Associate Dean of Research and Basic Sciences
Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park
Dr. Brennan’s research focuses on how viruses adapt to evade host immune defenses and cross species barriers. His work integrates immunology, infectious disease biology, genetics, and integrative functional genomics and proteomics to investigate the role of host restriction factors and viral evolution in zoonotic emergence.
Using experimental evolution, primarily with vaccinia virus, Dr. Brennan has demonstrated that gene amplification of weak viral antagonists provides a molecular foothold for adaptation, enabling viruses to overcome species-specific immune barriers. His research also suggests that the poxvirus RNA polymerase may play a central and previously unrecognized role in poxvirus adaptation.
Current work in his lab combines RNA-seq and proteomic analysis to define how gene duplications and adaptive mutations rewire viral transcription and host response. He also studies natural variation in antiviral genes such as PKR among non-human primates to uncover genetic factors influencing susceptibility to infection.
As Associate Dean, Dr. Brennan leads the development of LMU-OPCVM’s research enterprise, including student research training, research infrastructure, and interdisciplinary One Health initiatives.