Interview: Dr. Graham Randall, BioCamp Houston

This Saturday, Houston will see its first BioCamp. While the name may invoke imagery of a distant group of radioactive children paddling a canoe in an undisclosed location, the truth is Houston finally has a great interactive forum for researchers, investors, and anyone interested in the future of life science and Bio Tech in our fair city. Houstonist spoke with Dr. Graham Randall, one of BioCamp’s organizers to get the skinny.

BioCamp is unique in that it is an ‘open forum.’ What does this mean?

In the past Houston has seen a BarCamp, PhotoCamp, GreenCamp, ArtCamp and all of these events fall into the category of an “unconference.” The format grew out of the anarchistic tendencies of the IT industry. There is no set agenda. The attendees are also the presenters. When the attendees arrive the morning of the conference, they volunteer to give talks on any life-science-related subject they want to.

Sounds like controlled chaos. What is the objective of BioCamp?

Our hope for BioCamp is to get a good mix of academics, entrepreneurs, industry experts, service providers, etc. to come together and exchange ideas. Some of these ideas will be a) improving the biotech startup scene in Houston, b) how to start a biotech company, c) the future of academic publishing, etc.

If one chooses to attend BioCamp, is there a requirement to present material?

Contrary to popular belief, the last rule of BioCamp isn’t:

“If this is your first BioCamp, you have to present.”

We recognize that not everybody wants to get up in front of a crowd of people and start talking. That said, the format of BioCamp doesn’t work unless a non-trivial fraction of attendees volunteer to present something.

One would also assume that the first rule of BioCamp IS NOT “do not talk about BioCamp.” A thoughtful exchange of ideas in a welcoming setting is far better than a Fight Club. (and far less painful) What other events are being planned in addition to the actual forum?

There will be a BioCamp Happy Hour tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Saute Bistro. On Friday, we have the BioHouston Chili Cook-Off - that begins at noon at BioHouston, and finally the BioCamp itself will start up at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 4th at 100 Keck Hall, Rice University. The event will go until 4 p.m. and we plan a little after party at Valhalla. You can also follow BioCamp through Twitter.

Speaking of Rice University, and since you just graduated with graduate degrees from both Rice and Baylor College of Medicine last year, what is your opinion of the recently announced potential merger?

I think the Rice-Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) merger is a great idea for all involved: Rice, BCM, and Houston. Rice benefits from the prestige of having a top-tier medical school. BCM benefits from the stability that comes from being associated with a university. And Houston benefits from any deal that strengthens the Texas Medical Center. I only wish they could complete the deal before graduation because Rice's Ph.D. regalia is much nicer than BCM's.

Houstonist welcomes any opportunity to wear a dress, er, regalia...

Event: BioCamp
Location: 100 Keck Hall, Rice University
Time: April 4th, 9 a.m.

Photos courtesy of BioCamp/Graham Randall