Texas Medical Center Names New Director of Innovation Institute

Today the Texas Medical Center (TMC) announced the appointment of Erik M. Halvorsen, Ph.D., as the director of the TMC Innovation Institute.

Halvorsen will be responsible for inspiring and managing the innovation and commercialization processes. He will oversee the day-to-day activities at the accelerator, which encompasses every stage of the innovation process, harnessing breakthroughs from fundamental ideation to commercialization of a viable product.

“As the Innovation Institute and our TMCx accelerator program continue to grow, we are excited to have Erik on board,” said Robert C. Robbins, M.D., president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center. “His track record of outstanding leadership makes him the ideal candidate for this position, and we expect great things from him in the years to come.”

Halvorsen brings more than 10 years of experience in health care startups, technology transfer and business development sectors to the TMC Innovation Institute. He has held leadership positions at many notable institutions including Tufts University, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University, among others.

“Building and launching the Innovation Institute has been very exciting,” said William McKeon, executive vice president and chief strategy and operating officer of the Texas Medical Center. “We now look to Erik to refine and grow the program to ensure its continued success.”

“I am very excited to join the Texas Medial Center team and build upon this incredible platform,” said Halvorsen. “The Houston-area innovation ecosystem is a vibrant one with an incredible network of educational, research and clinical institutions. Finding new and better ways to support early stage entrepreneurs, companies and the translation of health care and life science innovations into products that can benefit the public is what we are all about.”