His clinical interests include reconstructive surgery of the genitourinary tract, acute injury management and complex surgery for male sexual dysfunction. His research interests are in urogenital trauma epidemiology and management; the physiology and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction; reconstructive surgery; crash injury mechanics; and urological complications of diabetes. A proerectile melanocortin agonist developed by Dr. Wessells and his collaborators at the University of Arizona is in clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. He currently serves as a permanent member of the UKGD Study Section of the National Institutes of Health, is a member of the Advisory Committee for Urology of the American College of Surgeons and is an ad hoc editorial reviewer for numerous peer reviewed journals.