Donald Pickert @ VU

Donald J. “Don” Pickert

Program Specialist

Physics & Astronomy Department

Since 2002, I have been working as an Administrative Assistant for the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Vanderbilt University. My primary duties are to assist the Department Chair Julia Velkovska, Ph.D., and the Directors of Graduate Studies, Alfredo Gurralo, Ph.D. (Physics) and Jonathan Bird, Ph.D. (Astrophysics) and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Robert Scherrer. Ph.D.

Prior to this, I worked at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a year for Peter Konrad, M.D., Ph.D. in Neurosurgery, who has done pioneering work in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery, and prior to that for the General Surgery Division (Drs. Sharp, Richards & Holzman) for 5 years. Before that I worked as a supervisor in the Cafeteria for 4 years. I did take a year off in 1994 to travel on the road to play music.

A member of the University Staff Advisory Council from 2003 to 2020 and recipient of the 2006 Commodore Award, Vanderbilt’s highest staff honor.