Ian Wheeler

California Department of State Hospitals

Research Data Specialist II (Feb. 2024 – Present)

Works and provides insight on specialized and complex research projects involving investigation of hospital and patient data, including: developing and maintaining dashboards; developing cohort studies and methodologies; and specializing in geographic data visualization. 

Research Data Specialist I (May 2022 – Feb. 2024)

The Orange County Register | Southern California News Group

Data Reporter (March 2018 – April 2021)

Point person in interpreting and reporting stories found in data. Conducted original studies by collecting and analyzing data, distilled complex findings to build helpful, interesting visualizations and led ambitious projects for stories on local, regional and statewide issues. Navigate to Published Work for three of my favorite data-driven articles.

Head of Research (June 2014 – March 2018)

Managed newsroom library, handled all research requests — often involving deep investigations of public records and historical information — and oversaw content copyright and permissions agreements between the Register and other organizations. Began specializing in data analysis to supplement research.

Reporter (June 2013 – June 2014)

Expanded coverage of local and international businesses within city beats.

Reporting Intern (Sept. 2012 – Dec. 2012)

Covered local politics and business, launching a professional portfolio of informative and hard-hitting journalism.

The Daily Titan

Managing Editor (Dec. 2012 – May 2013)

Oversaw a staff of about 60 writers, editors, designers and photographers.

News Editor (Aug. 2011 – Dec. 2012)

Organized and edited hundreds of articles for Cal State Fullerton's acclaimed student newspaper.

Coursera

Certificate (2021) | Google Data Analytics Certificate; navigate to Case Study to read my final analysis project for this course.

California State University, Fullerton

Bachelor of Arts (2010 – 2013) | Communications: emphasis in Journalism; minor in Spanish

Fullerton College

Associate of Arts (2008 – 2010) | Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Sciences

Best COVID-19 Investigative Story or Series | 3rd place

Placed third in the 2021 Orange County Press Club Awards for stories about how COVID-19 data input glitches at the state level caused Orange County's case metrics to appear better than they were at a critical moment in the coronavirus pandemic.

Best Use of Data | 1st place

Placed first with Orange County Register colleagues in the 2021 Orange County Press Club Awards for a story and graphics showing how Orange County residents voted in the 2020 presidential election.

Land-Use Reporting | 3rd place

Placed third with a Long Beach Press-Telegram colleague in the 2019 California Journalism Awards for the "Rising Up" series on development projects in Long Beach.

Enterprise News Story or Series | 1st place

Placed first with Orange County Register colleagues in the 2018 California Journalism Awards for a project detailing California's evolving local cannabis laws following the passage of Prop. 64.

Enterprise News Story or Series | 3rd place

Placed third with a Los Angeles Daily News colleague in the 2018 California Journalism Awards for a series on rising emergency room usage in Southern California, reported in partnership with USC’s Center for Health Journalism.

Investigative/Series | 2nd place

Placed second with Orange County Register colleagues in 2018 Southern California Journalism Awards for "Rehab Riviera" series about the proliferation of drug rehab centers in Southern California and the spectrum of issues caused by a lack of regulation.

Project Reporting | 1st place

Placed first with Orange County Register colleagues in 2018 Best of the West contest for "Rehab Riviera" series about the proliferation of drug rehab centers in Southern California and the spectrum of issues caused by a lack of regulation.

Watchdog Award | 1st place

Placed first with Orange County Register colleagues in 2018 Orange County Press Club Awards for "Rehab Riviera" series about the proliferation of drug rehab centers in Southern California and the spectrum of issues caused by a lack of regulation.