This announcement was sent on behalf of Drs. Michael Avidan, Rob Gereau, and Jose Moron-Concepcion.
The department is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Wayland Cheng as the Associate Division Chief of the Division of Basic Research (DBR), effective March 1, 2026.
In this inaugural role, Dr. Cheng will partner closely with division and departmental leadership to help shape strategy, strengthen operations, and advance the division’s research mission. He will support faculty growth, expand research opportunities, and help align resources and funding to position DBR for continued success in a rapidly evolving research landscape.
A central focus of Dr. Cheng’s leadership will be supporting DBR investigators at all career stages. As an NIH-funded principal investigator with a strong track record in mentorship, he brings deep experience guiding trainees, junior faculty, and physician-scientists. His collaborative approach and broad engagement across the department and institution position him to foster new partnerships, enhance cross-disciplinary research, and help investigators navigate funding strategies and opportunities.
Dr. Cheng earned his MD/PhD from WashU Medicine, where he studied molecular and cellular biology, and completed his doctoral work with Dr. Colin Nichols. He then completed residency training in anesthesiology, a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesiology, and postdoctoral research with Dr. Alex Evers. He is currently an associate professor of anesthesiology and leads a research program focused on the mechanism of drugs that target neuronal ion channels, with implications for treating chronic pain and psychiatric disease.
Dr. Cheng brings a clear vision for strengthening DBR as a collaborative and innovative research community. He is committed to supporting and developing junior faculty, recruiting diverse talent, and fostering the partnerships and funding opportunities needed to sustain long-term growth and impact.
Dr. Cheng’s leadership marks an exciting step forward for the Division of Basic Research, reinforcing its commitment to innovation while fostering a collaborative culture that supports excellence in science and mentorship.