Wheeler joined Georgia Tech in 2014. His lab investigates how cognitive abilities are affected by lifestyle factors such as sleep quality and physical activity, as well as how these abilities may change in healthy aging.

Wheeler specialized in functional brain imaging of human memory for his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.

After a postdoctoral stint at Washington University School of Medicine, he joined the University of Pittsburgh. There, he developed functional imaging techniques to study neural dynamics of the accumulation and representation of evidence during decision-making.

Wheeler takes over from Frank Durso, who has served as interim chair since July 1, 2017.

“It is a pleasure for me to thank Professor Frank Durso for his exemplary contributions during his service as interim chair of the school,” says College of Sciences Dean and Sutherland Chair Paul Goldbart. “Under Frank’s leadership, the school has developed relationships that will be of enduring value to the school, both across the campus and beyond.”