Noted Genomics Researcher to Give 2016 Farfel Distinguished Lecture

J. Craig Venter Created World’s First Synthetic Lifeform

Genomics researcher J. Craig Venter will present the 2016 Farfel Distinguished Lecture next week, the latest in a series of world-renowned scientists, artists and thinkers to deliver the University of Houston’s most prestigious lectureship.

 Venter, author of “Life at the Speed of Light: From the Double Helix to the Dawn of Digital Life,”  is founder, chairman and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute, which focuses on human, microbial, plant, synthetic and environmental genomic research, as well as the social and ethical issues that surround that work.

He announced in 2010 that his team had created the world’s first synthetic lifeform, an achievement that could affect human existence in myriad ways, including new chemical and energy generation and advances in human health and medicine.

Venter is best-known for sequencing the human genome, starting with his development of Expressed Sequence Tags, a new strategy for rapid gene discovery, while at the National Institutes of Health. 

The Farfel Distinguished Lecture series was created to honor those who envision the future for beneficial change. It honors the vision of Aaron Farfel, the longest serving Chair of the UH Board of Regents.            

 WHAT:                   Genomic scientist J. Craig Venter will present the 2016 Farfel Distinguished Lecture at the

                               University of Houston. Venter is founder, chairman and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute.

WHEN:                     6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8.

WHERE:                   UH Student Center Theater, located on University Drive.  (Entrance 1 off Calhoun Road.)        

RSVP:                      The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. RSVP at

                               eventsreply@uh.edu or call 713-743-0332.

PARKING:                 Available across the street in the Welcome Center garage or at the Hilton University of Houston.

                                Map: http://www.uh.edu/maps/

MEDIA CONTACT:      For information, contact Jeannie Kever, 713-743-0778, jekever@uh.edu.