Markus Hengstschläger

At the tender age of 24, Markus Hengstschläger was awarded his PhD in Genetics in record time after being able to shorten the duration of his studies. Subsequently, he took a post at Yale University in America where he was appointed an Associate Professor at the age of 29 and became a University Professor for Medical Genetics at 35.

He is currently Director of the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Medical University Vienna and is also an entrepreneur in the fields of genetic diagnostics, research, development and innovation consultancy. This multi-award winning and internationally recognised scientist has been a student lecturer for over two decades as well as treating patients and consulting with governments and companies.

He has been presented with the Grand Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria, has been elected to sit on numerous supervisory boards and he is, among others, Vice Chair of the Austrian Bioethics Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Austrian Council for Research and Technological Development, Member of the University Council at Linz University and head of the “Think Tanks Academia Superior”.

Dr. Hengstschläger also presents a science programme on Austrian ORF Radio Ö1 and is the author of three books topping the best-seller list („Die Macht der Gene“ (The Power of the Genes), „Endlich unendlich” (Finally Infinite) and „Die Durchschnittsfalle“ (The Average Trap), which were also voted the most popular non-fiction books of the year.