Our success is intimately linked to the accomplishments of each and every member of our department.
Each month, four members are nominated and featured to celebrate their commitment to patient care, education, and research.
Current Featured Anesthesiology Department Members
Andrew Griesbaum, ACNP
Nurse Practitioner
Qin Liu, PhD
Professor of Anesthesiology
Jake Meinkoth
Clinical Informaticist
Sydney Tyler, MD
Resident Physician
Featured Anesthesiology Department Members Archive
Muthuraj Kanakaraj, MD, MBBS
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2024
Muthuraj Kanakaraj, MD, MBBS, is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Tirunelveli Medical College in India and completed his anesthesiology training at Madras Medical College, India, and in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) and holds the European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine (EDIC).
Dr. Kanakaraj worked as an attending anesthesiologist in the UK for four years before joining the faculty at WashU Medicine in 2018. His professional focus is on patient safety, quality improvement, and education. He leads educational initiatives for residents, student nurse anesthetists, and nursing staff. Additionally, he serves as a physician leader for POD-5 and prioritizes patient safety and staff well-being as essential aspects of care.
Outside of work, Dr. Kanakaraj enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. A passionate supporter of Arsenal Football Club, he firmly believes they are destined to win the Premier League.
Evangelos Karanikolas
Clinical Research Coordinator
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: December 2023
Evangelos is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Anesthesiology, currently involved with the Anesthesiology Control Tower projects and the THRIVE study.
Evangelos was born in St. Louis but grew up in Greece after his family moved overseas. From a young age, he knew he wanted to become a physician, following his father’s footsteps. He studied medicine at the University of Athens School of Medicine and graduated with high honors. Post-graduation, he worked as a primary care physician in the Greek Army for six months. After completing military service, he started collaborating on clinical research projects with the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital of Patras. Wishing to care for patients in remote and underserved areas of Greece, he worked in the emergency department of the General Hospital of Sitia on the island of Crete.
Evangelos joined the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine to pursue his interest in clinical research. In the future, he aspires to pursue residency training in anesthesiology and follow a path in academic medicine.
Outside of work, Evangelos enjoys outdoor running, trying new restaurants, watching movies, and traveling. He is excited to experience the rich culture of St. Louis and explore the city.
Fun fact: Evangelos has three sisters he considers his best friends despite being grumpy about not having a brother growing up.
Menelaos Karanikolas, MD, MPH
POD 5 Leader; Professor, Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: August 2024
Menelaos Karanikolas is Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and works mostly in POD 5 and in the Division of Trauma Anesthesiology. He was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and obtained his MD from the University of Athens School of Medicine. He then completed his anesthesiology residency, cardiothoracic anesthesia fellowship, and pain management fellowship at WashU Medicine and received an MPH degree from the St. Louis University School of Public Health. He has practiced cardiac anesthesia in Athens, Greece, pain management at WashU Medicine, and had a faculty appointment at the University of Patras, Greece, before returning to WashU Medicine in 2010. He met Areti, his wife, while in medical school, got married during residency, and he is now the proud father of three daughters and one son.
In his free time, he enjoys playing chess, watching European basketball, and listening, DJ-ing, and dancing to Argentine Tango music.
Fun fact: Menelaos has studied Argentine Tango for several years, is a founding member of a non-profit dedicated to promoting Argentine Tango in the St. Louis area, and enjoys opportunities to dance while traveling out of state or overseas.
Clayton Karimi, CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2023
Clayton Karimi is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. He graduated from Goldfarb’s Nurse Anesthesia Program in 2014 and thereafter accepted a position with the Department of Anesthesia. Clayton works primarily with the Acute Critical Care and Trauma Service. He appreciates the variety that this offers and the comradery amongst the team. Having the ability to offer clinical support for this patient population is a privilege that Clayton enjoys. Outside of the hospital, Clayton spends his time with his wonderful family – his wife, Melissa, and their two beautiful daughters, Layla and Lillian. They love traveling the country in an RV; last year, they visited five national parks and spent a total of three months traveling. Clayton is also an avid fisherman who thoroughly enjoys his time on the water.