Olivier Wenker, Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of Technology Discovery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, will discuss the major mistakes made by entrepreneurs during the early vulnerable stages and critical expanding phases of startup companies.

 

 

Since 2001, Dr. Wenker is M. D. Anderson Cancer Center's Director of Technology Discovery. In this function, he has created a novel support mechanism for clinical and research faculty. The fund he manages created within a few years a multiple of 4 on value creation for the institution. Dr. Wenker also teaches entrepreneurship classes in collaboration with The University of Texas System.

Dr. Wenker started his career as an anesthesiologist in 1985. He is triple European board certified in anesthesiology, critical care medicine and emergency/disaster medicine and holds the title Professor of Anesthesiology. Dr. Wenker served many years as emergency/trauma physician on board rescue helicopters, ICU airplanes, ambulances, and emergency physician vehicles. He worked as a trauma field physician, rescue diver, disaster medicine triage and lead physician, and served many years as chief of a medical team for special police forces. He was involved in over 700 rescue missions. In 2004, Dr. Wenker earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Jones Graduate School for Management at Rice University in Houston, Texas, receiving the prestigious Jones Award for Academic Excellence.

Dr. Wenker's special interests involve electronic publishing and the use of digital information for education. In 1996, he founded "Internet Scientific Publications, LLC." This online platform became the world's largest electronic medical publishing house. Approximately 15,000 daily readers enjoy the free medical content offered by the site. Dr. Wenker created and launched 64 online journals in the past nine years. He assembled over 1,000 international editors and reviewers and closely collaborates with over 60 editors-in-chief. For two consecutive years he won the esteemed ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) "Exceptional Merit for Outstanding Education in Anesthesia Award." In addition, he won over 20 awards for his online journals. Most recently he received the Golden Web Award presented by the International Association of Webmasters and Designers.