Wesley graduated from Downey High in 1965. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Southern California in 1969 and immediately started graduate school there in cellular and molecular biology. USC awarded him his PhD. in 1974.
He found a research position at the School of Pharmacology at the University of Virginia and conducted research there until 1979. He also taught at the School of Pharmacology. His research addressed the metabolism of cyclic nucleotides, and resulted in three patents, including a betaadrenergic blocker and a machine to automate immunoassays.
Terasaki entered a special program at the University of Miami (FL) School of Medicine, in which all students are holders of doctorate degrees. The program compressed medical school into two years; he graduated in 1981. (His completion of medical school in 2 years inspired his youngest brother, Carey, to complete law school in 2 years.)
Terasaki’s medical career took him to the Seattle area; he served his residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, and practiced as an Internist for more than 30 years, retiring in 2016.
He recorded “Waves Upon the Sand” in 1985 and “An Evening with Wes Terasaki and Friends” in 1997; both are compilations of his faith-inspired songs. He has written approximately 100 songs total.