Featured Anesthesiology Members

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: April 2024

Bobbie Brown is a graduate student in the DBBS program, training under Dr. Rob Gereau and Dr. Bryan Copits. Bobbie moved from her hometown Little Rock, Arkansas, to St. Louis to begin her undergraduate studies at WashU in 2013. Throughout undergrad, she researched voltage-gated potassium channels with Dr. Larry Salkoff and Dr. Celia Santi. In 2017, she earned her bachelor’s degree in physics.

For her graduate research, Bobbie is working on optogenetic tool development. Optogenetics involves the use of light-sensitive proteins (opsins) that allow for light-mediated modulation of cellular processes; her research is focused on using opsins to regulate neuronal activity. Along with research, she has helped teach undergraduate classes including “Molecular Biology of Genetic Disorders,” “Neurophysiology Lab,” and “Biophysics of Consciousness.” Bobbie is also involved with leadership in the department’s ASSURE summer research program.

Outside of the lab, Bobbie enjoys listening to music, playing instruments, exploring outdoors, watching scary movies, teaching (or attempting to teach) her cat Momo to walk on a leash, watching basketball, facilitating local queer-Christian community, discovering new personal allergies, and architectural photography.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2025

Joel Brown is a Research Nurse Coordinator with DoCTR. He graduated from SIU-Carbondale and went on to work with the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at WashU. He then went back to school and graduated from Goldfarb School of Nursing in December 2020. He started his nursing career in the cardiothoracic surgery step-down unit at BJC. He is from Mascoutah, Illinois, is a huge Marvel junkie, loves golfing, and is a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Cowboys!

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: May 2021

Dr. Brown-Shpigel is an instructor in trauma and general divisions under the Department of Anesthesiology. She is the Center for Advanced Medicine Outpatient Surgery Center’s POD leader. In this capacity, she manages the operative board schedule, coordinates with surgeons on what cases are appropriate for the location, and works with the nursing management on perioperative process quality improvement programs. She has a special interest in trauma anesthesiology and critical care. She will be taking a sabbatical to return to training for a Critical Care Medicine Fellowship in 2021-2022 with anticipation of rejoining the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology.

Brown-Shpigel notes, “Did you know there are well over 60 different hikes you can do within 60 miles of St. Louis? I find my life balance by spending as much time as possible outdoors when I am away from work so I’m working my way through these great outdoor experiences. I have an 18 month old toddler and two doggies who love to tag along. Even though I have only been in St. Louis 6 years, I really feel like we have found our home.”

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: January 2025

Jon Bucher earned his undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Missouri and began his career at WashU Medicine in 2010 in the Division of Geriatrics & Nutritional Science. In 2013, he transitioned to the Department of Anesthesiology, where he has since advanced his career. During this time, Jon completed WashU’s PMBA program at Olin Business School, further enhancing his expertise in business management and finance. Currently, Jon serves as the Business Director for Research Finance, overseeing financial operations and supporting research initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, tackling home improvement projects, watching horror films, and biking around Creve Coeur Lake.