René Wenzel studied medicine in Essen (Germany) where he subsequently specialized in inner medicine and nephrology (the study of the function and diseases of the kidney). Between 1995 and 1996 he worked in the research group of Prof. Noll at the “Insel” Hospital Bern (Switzerland) investigating cardiovascular diseases. In his research, he showed for the first time the mechanisms of endothelin antagonists in the human skin and in the coronary circulation. He also characterized how calcium antagonists and an ACE inhibitor interact with the sympathetic nervous system in patients with high blood pressure. Subsequently, René Wenzel became Assistant Medical Director at the University of Essen, followed by an appointment to Head of Department for Inner Medicine at Zell am See (Austria).