This announcement was sent on behalf of Drs. Michael Avidan and Rob Gereau.
The Department of Anesthesiology is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Meaghan Creed as Associate Division Chief of Basic Research for the WashU Medicine Pain Center, effective March 1, 2026.
In this role, Dr. Creed will partner closely with departmental and institutional leaders to help shape the vision, strategic direction, and operational excellence of the WashU Medicine Pain Center. She will advance its research mission by supporting strategic growth, expanding research opportunities, guiding faculty recruitment and promotion, and stewarding research resources and funding.
Dr. Creed will also play a central role in fostering a collaborative and high-performing research environment. She will provide guidance on research strategy and funding, drawing on her deep understanding of funding mechanisms and the evolving research landscape. In addition, she will contribute to program development and financial planning, ensuring alignment between strategic priorities and responsible fiscal stewardship.
Dr. Creed brings a servant leadership approach—prioritizing the growth and success of faculty and trainees while advocating for the needs of investigators. She will work closely with faculty to identify new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and scientific advancement.
Dr. Creed earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto. Since establishing her laboratory at WashU Medicine in 2018, she has led a highly impactful research program focused on understanding vulnerability to chronic pain and opioid misuse. Her work integrates animal and human studies to develop circuit-guided therapies for these disorders and is supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Rita Allen Foundation, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, and the Whitehall Foundation. An active leader in the field, she serves on national committees and NIH study sections, and is deeply committed to education and mentorship through graduate training and curriculum development.
We are confident that Dr. Creed’s leadership and vision will further strengthen the WashU Medicine Pain Center and advance its mission. She will help foster and model a culture that is respectful, inclusive, and collaborative —one that drives excellence in discovery, mentorship, and translational impact.