Tim Wheeler

Tim oversees Core Bio Services (Core). Core serves the Campus and Biotechnology Lab and Research Communities with cell culture and microbiology products and services. Tim was selected as the 2018-2019 Principal Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year for his leadership on campus and system-wide efforts.

Tim has been at UC San Diego since 1998 and holds a B.A. from San Diego State University.

Get Ready for the Core Bio Initiatives Going Live in 2026

IPPS Core Bio News, 03/05/2026

Core Bio Services (Core) has reaffirmed our commitment to being your on-campus partner in the research supply chain. Our focus remains on delivering value, transparency, and convenience so you can stay focused on your science. Core has developed several key initiatives that will roll out over the next calendar year, and we look forward to partnering with you to ensure these programs meet the unique needs of your labs.

Here's a sneak peek of what's to come

• Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) Sampling: We are developing a facilitation program to streamline the process of sampling and selecting FBS.
• Lab Safety Compliance: We are working closely with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) to provide supplies that make safety compliance easier and more affordable.
• Teaching Labs Network: We are initiating efforts to expand our support for the campus Teaching Labs network.
  Small Business Access: We are enhancing support and access to local and small businesses to diversify your purchasing options.
• Sustainable Cold Chain: We continue to optimize our existing programs, such as the Sustainable Cold Chain program, to minimize environmental impact. 
• As these programs are finalized, we will seek feedback through surveys and provide labs the opportunity to participate in pilot programs. In the meantime, you can continue to browse our current inventory on the Core Bio Services website. If you have any questions about these upcoming initiatives, please reach out to us via Services & Support (About: Buying Goods & Services, Related to: Core Bio Services). 

- Tim Wheeler, Director, Core Bio Services

Message from the Core Leadership Team

IPPS Quarterly, Fall 2025

Core Bio Services’ integration into IPPS over the past year has allowed us to align resources, strengthen partnerships, and bring meaningful value to UC San Diego’s research supply chain. This alignment has helped us rethink how Core can better support the campus community, both in the day-to-day demands of research and the longer-term sustainability of our shared mission.

One early success has been our Sustainable Cold Chain initiative, which has already improved reliability, reduced waste, and demonstrated how thoughtful supply chain design can enhance the research experience. Building on this foundation, we are preparing to expand sustainable approaches to additional items and cold-chain vendors to deliver even greater impact.

Looking ahead, Core is undertaking deeper, more intentional data analysis to understand what truly belongs in a modern research supply center. These insights will guide how we refine product selections, support teaching and research labs, and ensure rapid, dependable fulfillment across campus. We are also committed to transparent pricing - eliminating hidden shipping or tariff charges - so that labs can plan their budgets with confidence in an increasingly unpredictable funding environment.

In these unusual times for research budgets and grant stability, we remain focused on being a true partner to the UC San Diego research community. By strengthening sustainability, speed, and transparency, Core is well-positioned to support the innovation happening across campus and help our researchers navigate today’s challenges with clarity and confidence.

- Tim Wheeler, Director, Core Bio Services

Reimagining Core Bio Services to Better Serve Our Ever-growing Lab and Research Communities

IPPS Quarterly, Fall 2024

I am pleased to share that Core Bio Services has joined Integrated Procure-to-Pay Solutions (IPPS) under the umbrella of Residential, Retail, and Supply Chain Services (RRSS).

While still in the early stages of this transition, Core Bio Services and Strategic Sourcing have identified significant opportunities for alignment and operational improvements that will directly benefit our clients. We are actively evaluating our systems and making strategic changes to create a more cost-effective, sustainable, and real-time supply chain.

As part of this initiative, you can expect:

• Immediate fulfillment options through walk-up service, self-serve kiosks, or same-day delivery.
• Carefully curated supply selections based on utilization data.
• Environmentally conscious procurement and delivery methods that align with UC San Diego’s sustainability goals. 

I look forward to sharing details about upcoming enhancements as we continue to reimagine Core Bio Services to serve our ever-growing lab and research communities better.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

- Tim Wheeler, Director, Core Bio Services