Critical Care, Palliative Care & Neuroanesthesiology Research
Our mission
To improve patient care, advance scientific knowledge, and promote health equity by conducting diverse and impactful research in anesthesiology, critical care, and pain medicine, encompassing pre-clinical, clinical, translational, and communitybased research. We foster a collaborative and inclusive research environment that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, embraces cutting-edge methodologies, and promotes the translation of discoveries from bench to bedside to community.
Critical Illness & Palliative Care Research
Studies focused on the care of critically ill patients help improve our clinical practice and our communication with patients, their families and caregivers.
Financial hardship
Dr. Nita Khandelwal aims to reduce financial hardship for critically ill patients and their families, and improve patient outcomes.
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Neuroanesthesiology Research
Our researchers are engaged in projects to develop clinical practice guidelines for physicians treating patients with neurological disorders and brain injuries with the goal of improving patient safety and outcomes.
TCD Simulator
Dr. Deepak Sharma’s team developed a simulator to train physicians to use transcranial Doppler (TCD) to treat patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage …
Neurocritical care guidelines
Dr. Abhijit Lele is developing clinical practice guidelines to improve care for neurocritically ill patients.
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Improving TBI care guidelines
Dr. Monica Vavilala is developing guidelines to address racial and ethnic disparities in care of patients with traumatic brain injury.
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Neuroanesthesiology Investigators
Deepak Sharma, MBBS, MD, DM
Past-President, Society for Neuroscience in Anesthesiology & Critical Care
Chair, Neuroanesthesia track, American Society of Anesthesiologists
Director-at-large, Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists
Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Association of University Anesthesiologists
Monica Vavilala, MD
Dr. Vavilala is a highly experienced clinical neuroanesthesiologist, bringing over 25 years of expertise with both adult and pediatric patients. Her dedication to advancing neurological care is demonstrated by a distinguished career as an NIH-funded investigator, with over 25 years of research focused on traumatic brain injury. Dr. Vavilala is committed to medical education, having mentored more than 40 trainees and clinicians pursing scholarships.
Mike Crowder, MD, PhD
Dr. Crowder received his medical degree and graduate degree (PhD-Neuroscience) at Washington University in St. Louis, his anesthesiology residency training at University of Washington, and his neuro-anesthesiology fellowship and research fellowship training at Washington University. He has worked as an attending neuro-anesthesiologist for 30 years and has been continuously funded by NIH as a principal investigator for 27 years. His research interests are focused on identification of novel mechanisms to protect cells from hypoxic injury.