Staff: Christopher Wheldon, PhD

Christopher  Wheldon

Christopher Wheldon, PhD

Former Fellow, Transitioned Outside of the Program

Cancer Prevention Fellow
Former Organization:

Christopher Wheldon, Ph.D., is a behavioral scientist working on reducing cancer disparities in underserved and socially marginalized populations. Central to this focus is his consideration of how individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors influence cancer-related risk (e.g., tobacco use) and preventive health behaviors (e.g., HPV vaccination, cancer screening). He also studies the experiences and psychosocial needs of cancer survivors in an effort to improve the quality of life of survivors and their families.

Dr. Wheldon completed a Cancer Prevention Fellowship with the Behavioral Research Program and is currently serving as a Special Volunteer. As a Cancer Prevention Fellow, he planned to extend his program of research to include a focus on novel theoretical and methodological approaches to health behavior and education across the cancer control continuum. The role of social media as a source of public health data and a mode of intervention delivery was a particular interest.

Dr. Wheldon completed a Ph.D. in community and family health from the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida. As a doctoral student he received the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award from the National Cancer Institute to support his training and research in cancer disparities.

In August 2019, Dr. Wheldon became an assistant professor in Temple University's College of Public Health.


"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated May 2020

Current Title
Assistant Professor
Temple University College of Public Health

How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
My time as a fellow in the Behavioral Research Program provided me with many opportunities to address cancer disparities among underserved populations at the national level and to establish productive collaborations with researchers across the NIH.

Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
I have so many fond memories from my time in the BRP. The comradery among the program staff is infectious. They go out of their way to make all of the fellows feel welcomed and supported. I left the program with amazing collogues and life-long friends.

Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Temple University College of Public Health. My research focuses on improving cancer prevention and cancer care delivery for sexual and gender minority populations.

Awards, Honors, and Recognitions

  • Sexual & Gender Minority Community and Ally Leader Award, National Institutes of Health, 2019

Publications from Fellowship Work



Current and/or past BRP mentors include Richard Moser.

To request edits to this profile, please contact us at ncidccpsbrpadvances@mail.nih.gov.