Wheeler is a decision scientist whose research focuses on understanding and improving cancer care access, equity, quality, value and outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
She leads the national, multicenter, Centers for Disease Control-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, which focuses on dissemination and implementation of evidence-based cancer-focused interventions. She also co-directs the National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Care Quality Training Program and the NCI-funded Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program.
Her work has resulted in 85 peer-reviewed publications, more than 100 public presentations at national conferences, symposia and other venues, and more than $10 million in grant funding.
“Stephanie’s strong passion for conducting policy-relevant public health research to reduce disparities among patients with cancer is palpable,” said Morris Weinberger, chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management. “Her research has spanned cancer care from screening to treatment and survivorship.”
Wheeler earned a doctorate at the Gillings School of Global Public Health before joining the health policy management faculty in 2010. Earlier this year, Wheeler received the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Early Career Public Health Research Award.
Jo Anne L. Earp, research professor in the Department of Health Behavior, said Wheeler is becoming a nationally known “behavioral science interventionist” dedicated to closing racial divides in cancer treatment. “On top of her scholarly brilliance, she has superior management skills, budgetary savvy and a deep familiarity with working with large-scale secondary sources of data,” Earp said.
This piece was featured in the University Gazette on September 26th.