Gilead Sciences

A research-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative medicines.

The Emmy-nominated documentary “Don’t Define Me”, focuses on Wheatley’s work with people affected by HIV in Western New York. Gilead Sciences, Inc. invited her to California in 2019, to create portraits of members of their community after seeing the film.

One person who sat with Wheatley is Alan Wang, former San Francisco ABC7 anchor, and patient-ambassador for the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign.  In his portrait, Wang speaks about his experiences with Hepatitis B, which has taken the lives of three of his Uncles. He refers to the virus as "the silent killer", that is "largely affecting Asian people” - and that infects almost a million Americans, including a disproportionately large number of Chinese Americans.

Another person who sat with Wheatley is Chrissie Chew, a Senior Medical Scientist at Gilead, who is researching a cure for rheumatoid arthritis.  Her work is personal, since her mother was recently diagnosed with it; her grandmother also lived with the disease and she herself experiences pain in her joints.