Instructor in Dermatology
Research Description
My research involves using big data to examine patterns of skin cancer risk among patients already at high risk. Specifically, I focus on organ transplant recipients, who are known to have a 30-100-fold increased risk of skin cancer compared to patients without transplants. There is a wide range of the number of skin cancers they will get, though. Most will have zero, one, or just a few, while some can develop more than one hundred. My research seeks to determine causes for the difference in this risk, and tries to identify ways to reduce it.
Dr. Wheless grew up in Durham, North Carolina and attended Davidson College. From there, he pursued a combined MD/PhD program at the Medical University of South Carolina. He earned his PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, as well as a Masters in Clinical Research while there. He then completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in dermatology at Vanderbilt University. When not working, he is an avid runner, and he and his wife enjoy trying new restaurants and finding live music.
Education
MD - Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
PhD- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
MSCR – Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
Relevant links
Clinical interest
Dermatological Surgery
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Immunosuppressed Patients
Organ Transplant Patients
Chief Resident, Society for Investigative Dermatology PhD Retreat