People

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2026

Jeff is a research technician in the Creed Lab at the WashU Medicine Pain Center. Across multiple institutions, Jeff has contributed to research on how the brain works in motivation and decision-making. Before coming to St. Louis, Jeff graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Kansas in 2023, where he did research on stress and social anxiety. Then, he completed a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health studying risk-taking and addiction. He joined the Creed Lab in July 2024, and studies how the brain is affected by chronic pain and how that leads to symptoms of depression. He hopes to stay in St. Louis and continue his research career by joining a neuroscience PhD program. Outside of the lab, Jeff enjoys reading, rock climbing, and spending time with his partner and their two cats.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: February 2023

Janice has worked in the Department of Anesthesiology for 44 years -- it will be 45 in December 2023. She attended college at Drake University in Des Moines, IA, but returned to back to University City — her hometown where she still resides. Outside of work, Janice enjoys spending time with her grandkids and loves the beach.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2025

Cesar Gonzalez, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and clinical psychologist at the Washington University Pain Center. He specializes in pre-surgical psychological evaluations, psychological assessments, and outpatient psychotherapy, with a focus on pain psychology. In addition to chronic pain, Dr. Gonzalez provides evidence-based care for anxiety, depression, insomnia, adjustment to chronic illness, and stress management, drawing on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies.

Outside of work, Cesar can usually be found at a Cinema St. Louis screening, hunting for records, checking out new restaurants, or trying to land a first serve on the tennis court.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: November 2020

Vivian is an Instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology. She grew up in Cuba where she graduated from the University of Havana with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She moved to Chile in 2003 and later obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from University of Valparaiso.

During her graduate program in Chile, she became engaged in studying fundamental biophysics of potassium channels which lead to joining the laboratory of Dr. Christopher Lingle at Washington University's Department of Anesthesiology in 2010. In the Lingle Lab, she has been studying the physiological roles of Ca2+ and voltage-regulated BK-type potassium channels and their regulatory subunits. Her current research focus is to understand how ion channels impact epithelial homeostasis and inflammation. This has led to the discovery that a particular form of BK channel is selectively expressed in goblet cells and protects against inflammation.

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, traveling, reading, visiting family and friends. She is a fan of St. Louis Cardinals. Fun fact: “This is the first time in my life that I am able to vote for a President (so excited!)”

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: September 2024

Emily is the Associate Chief CRNA for Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. She graduated with a BSN from Truman State University and a degree in Nurse Anesthesia from Webster University.

During her collegiate career, she has played soccer for both Division 1 and Division 2 schools, where she served as team captain and all-region selections.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, ages 7 and 9, who are currently very active in many sports (including soccer!) She also enjoys cooking, attending City games with her husband, and planning family trips.

Department of Anesthesiology Featured Member: August 2025

Dr. Burel Goodin is a Professor of Anesthesiology in the Washington University Pain Center. He is also the current President of the U.S. Association for the Study of Pain (USASP). Trained as a clinical health psychologist, he began his tenure track faculty career as an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), rising to the rank of full professor and Co-director of the Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention (CAPPI). He relocated to WashU Medicine in 2023.

Dr. Goodin’s career integrates cutting-edge translational pain science with a profound commitment to equity, mentorship, and community engagement. He merges quantitative laboratory methods with social-contextual awareness to inform pain treatment that is inclusive, precise, and culturally competent. Concurrently, his credentials reflect academic excellence through sustained NIH funding, leadership roles in professional societies, and exemplary mentorship of emerging scholars.

When not working, Dr. Goodin can usually be found chasing his two young daughters (ages 4 and 2 years old) while his lovely wife yells at them to “stop running in the house." He enjoys fishing, cycling, and playing simulated golf, none of which he is actually any good, but mostly he enjoys sharing good food and conversation with the people he loves most.

Medical School: Ohio State University