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On April 4, the Department of Biostatistics in the VCU School of Public Health hosted its inaugural Dr. David Wheeler Memorial Lecture in Spatial and Cancer Statistics, featuring renowned biostatistician Lance Waller, Ph.D., from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

The lecture series honors David Wheeler, Ph.D., a longtime member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center who passed away in June 2024 after a lengthy and courageous battle with brain cancer. Wheeler served in the Department of Biostatistics for 13 years, beginning as an assistant professor in 2011 and rising to the rank of full professor in 2023. A prolific researcher, his pioneering contributions in statistical methods have advanced spatial epidemiology and cancer research.

Among Wheeler’s many research efforts include an investigation into how specific neighborhoods may contribute to stress and prostate cancer in African American men; the long-term effects of neighborhood exposures and racial segregation on cancer risk; identifying environmental risks for bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; studying the links between tobacco retailers and smoke exposure in pregnant women and children; and more.

“If you had the chance to work with David, or be mentored by him, you would quickly learn how brilliant and innovative he was, but he also had a humility about his successes,” said Bernard Fuemmeler, Ph.D., M.P.H., the associate director of population science at Massey, who collaborated with Wheeler on many research projects over the last decade. “We all had so much more to learn from him, and his memory will live on. This lecture series is just one of the many ways his legacy will leave a lasting footprint here at VCU and beyond.”

Waller’s talk explored how the location of data points affects patterns and outcomes, using geography to enhance statistical methods like data visualization and model evaluations. Waller is widely recognized for his expertise in spatial statistics, disease mapping and environmental epidemiology. Waller also served as Wheeler’s postdoctoral mentor, making his role as the inaugural speaker especially significant.

Nearly 40 people attended in person, including members of Wheeler’s family, in addition to 60 attendees who joined virtually.

Robert Perera, Ph.D., interim chair of the Department of Biostatistics and member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at Massey, welcomed the crowd and introduced Waller. After the discussion, Perera presented Waller with an award as a thank you and recognition for his contributions to the field.

“It was a special moment for our department and school to be able to remember David and honor his contributions,” said Perera. “It was especially meaningful to have Lance Waller, David’s postdoctoral mentor, with us to share his insights and reflections on the field that David so passionately advanced.”

This was repurposed from an article originally published by the VCU School of Public Health.

Written by: Maggie Christ, Blake Belden