Spencer Wells
Keynote Speaker: Geneticist, Anthropologist, Author, CEO of Insitome
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Travels From:
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Speaking Fee:
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Categories:Technology, Authors, Genetics, Healthcare, Adventure, Social Sciences, Inspirational, Disruptive Thinking, Philosophy, Faith & Religion, Environment, Sustainability, Futurism, Health, Nutrition, Science, Social Media, Marketing, Political, Government, Economy, Literary, Culture, History, Relationships
Spencer Wells Biography
Spencer Wells is a geneticist, anthropologist, author, and entrepreneur. For over a decade, he served as an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and was the Director of the Genographic Project, which collected and analyzed DNA samples from hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to understand how our ancestors populated the planet. This initiative spearheaded the consumer genomics industry. Wells earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin as a Phi Beta Kappa graduate, received his Ph.D. from Harvard University, and conducted postdoctoral work at Stanford and Oxford.
He is the founder and CEO of the personal genomics company Insitome and the co-founder of Shambhala Expeditions, a travel company. Wells has also ventured into the music scene as a co-owner of the iconic Austin blues club Antone’s. As an author, he has written three books: "The Journey of Man," "Deep Ancestry," and "Pandora's Seed." His extensive fieldwork has brought him to more than 100 countries, where he has engaged with a diverse range of groups, from heads of government to tribal chieftains in remote regions like Chad, Tajikistan, and Papua New Guinea.
Currently residing in Austin, Texas, he also enriches the academic community as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas, where he contributes to both scientific research and education. His multifaceted career spans across various disciplines and industries, reflecting his commitment to integrating scientific knowledge with practical applications in society and culture.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Spencer Wells and other top speakers and celebrities.
Spencer Wells Speaking Topics
The consumer genomics industry is a product of the past decade. The Genographic Project, which launched in 2005, is widely credited with its creation, and companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA now collectively sell more than 1 million DNA testing kits a year. In this talk, Wells presents a broad view of the industry from its “cottage” roots to its broader acceptance by the general public in North America. Topics covered include ancestry testing, the viability of testing for health-related traits, and the regulatory environment in which consumers for the first time in history have a means to read their own genetic blueprints. A rare first-person account of the dawn of a new industry, presented by one of its founders and leading advocates.
It has been said that the only certainty is change. Today this seems to be truer than ever, as we deal with economic and ecological upheaval our ancestors never could have imagined. Or could they? Creator and director of National Geographic and IBM's Genographic Project and author of three popular books on humanity's ancient past, Wells takes a much broader view. From the evolutionary origins of human innovation to our modern preference for technologies that appeal to hunter-gatherer minds, Wells provides lessons that resonate in today's rapidly changing world.
To find the answer we need to go back ten millennia, to the wheat fields of the Fertile Crescent and the rice paddies of southern China. It was then that our species made a radical shift in its way of life, progressing from a largely hunter-gatherer society to controlling our food supply by domesticating animals and plants. Journey with Dr. Wells on a 10,000-year tour of human history as he charts the rise to power of Homo agriculturis and the effects this radical shift in lifestyle has had on our species, and speculates on where we might be headed in the future.
Join Wells on an epic journey that spans the globe, using DNA to trace the migration routes of our ancient ancestors and revealing the incredible tapestry of human diversity created along the way.
Spencer Wells Videos
How do I book Spencer Wells to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Spencer Wells for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Spencer Wells, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Spencer Wells or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Spencer Wells for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Spencer Wells, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Spencer Wells are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Spencer Wells, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Spencer Wells speak about?
Spencer Wells is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Authors, Genetics, Healthcare, Adventure, Social Sciences, Inspirational, Disruptive Thinking, Philosophy, Faith & Religion, Environment, Sustainability, Futurism, Health, Nutrition, Science, Social Media, Marketing, Political, Government, Economy, Literary, Culture, History and Relationships.
Where does Spencer Wells travel from?
Spencer Wells generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Spencer Wells?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Spencer Wells for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Spencer Wells for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Spencer Wells or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Spencer Wells is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Technology, Authors and Genetics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Spencer Wells for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Spencer Wells generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Calvin Trillin, Sir Richard Branson and Ray Kurzweil. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Spencer Wells for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Spencer Wells Speaking Topics
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Consumer Genomics: The 30,000-foot view
The consumer genomics industry is a product of the past decade. The Genographic Project, which launched in 2005, is widely credited with its creation, and companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA now collectively sell more than 1 million DNA testing kits a year. In this talk, Wells presents a broad view of the industry from its “cottage” roots to its broader acceptance by the general public in North America. Topics covered include ancestry testing, the viability of testing for health-related traits, and the regulatory environment in which consumers for the first time in history have a means to read their own genetic blueprints. A rare first-person account of the dawn of a new industry, presented by one of its founders and leading advocates.
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Innovation: An Evolutionary Imperative
It has been said that the only certainty is change. Today this seems to be truer than ever, as we deal with economic and ecological upheaval our ancestors never could have imagined. Or could they? Creator and director of National Geographic and IBM's Genographic Project and author of three popular books on humanity's ancient past, Wells takes a much broader view. From the evolutionary origins of human innovation to our modern preference for technologies that appeal to hunter-gatherer minds, Wells provides lessons that resonate in today's rapidly changing world.
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Pandora's Seed: The Unforeseen Cost of Civilization - Terrorism, pandemic disease, and global warming -- what do these have in common?
To find the answer we need to go back ten millennia, to the wheat fields of the Fertile Crescent and the rice paddies of southern China. It was then that our species made a radical shift in its way of life, progressing from a largely hunter-gatherer society to controlling our food supply by domesticating animals and plants. Journey with Dr. Wells on a 10,000-year tour of human history as he charts the rise to power of Homo agriculturis and the effects this radical shift in lifestyle has had on our species, and speculates on where we might be headed in the future.
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The Human Journey: A Genetic Odyssey
Join Wells on an epic journey that spans the globe, using DNA to trace the migration routes of our ancient ancestors and revealing the incredible tapestry of human diversity created along the way.
VIDEO
Spencer Wells Videos
BOOKS
NEWS
Spencer Wells News
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A Q&A about Our DNA with Geneticist Spencer Wells
We recently spoke with one of the panelists, Dr. Spencer Wells, a population geneticist who as a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence is leading the Genographic Project, a not-for-profit, multi-year, global research initiative that works to uncover our collective past by advanced analyses of DNA.
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Spencer Wells on George’s Deep Ancestry
On the show tonight: As Director of the Genographic Project, population geneticist Spencer Wells is in the process of charting new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species. His team has collected DNA samples from half a million people around the world - including George's! In this clip, Spencer shares some rather surprising test results with our unknowing (and admittedly nervous) host....
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Geneticist Spencer Wells tells Springfield Forum audience interest in ...
Wells answered questions from students in the scholars program organized by Wilbraham & Monson Academy.
FAQS
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How do I book Spencer Wells to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Spencer Wells for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Spencer Wells, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Spencer Wells or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Spencer Wells for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Spencer Wells, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Spencer Wells are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Spencer Wells, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Spencer Wells speak about?
Spencer Wells is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Authors, Genetics, Healthcare, Adventure, Social Sciences, Inspirational, Disruptive Thinking, Philosophy, Faith & Religion, Environment, Sustainability, Futurism, Health, Nutrition, Science, Social Media, Marketing, Political, Government, Economy, Literary, Culture, History and Relationships. -
Where does Spencer Wells travel from?
Spencer Wells generally travels from Austin, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Spencer Wells?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Spencer Wells for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Spencer Wells for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Spencer Wells or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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