Every month we focus on an outstanding staff member of the BCM Family. This month, it’s Chris Horaist with the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Chris Horaist

Do you know of a Baylor staff member who exemplifies our values of Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork and Excellence (RIITE)? Nominate him or her to be featured in Spotlight by emailing Dana Benson at benson@bcm.edu.

Name: Chris Horaist

Title: Administrator

Department: Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center

How long have you been at BCM? Only 6 months, but this is my second tour of duty. Total is 8 years and 6 months.

What’s your favorite thing about working at BCM? The awe-inspiring scientists who provide cutting-edge basic and translational research and top-tier clinicians who provide the best medical care available on the planet.

How are you coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, and how has it impacted your job at BCM? Enduring the obvious pain points of not being able to see and interact with people in the ways that we are so accustomed to. Looking forward to the return to “normal” as the vaccine becomes readily available to all.

Where were you born? Lafayette, La.

What is your favorite kind of food? Anything spicy! The only thing I don’t put pepper on is pancakes. I’m growing Carolina Reapers right now and can’t wait for the salsa they will produce.

What is your favorite restaurant in Houston, and at that restaurant your favorite dish? We do tons of cooking at home, cause Cajuns cook really well, but when we eat out – a filet at Pappa’s is always nice.

What’s on your music playlist? Like food, I love all kinds of music. I’m a drummer in a variety band. We play many genres (rock, pop, blues and country dance) from the 70s to current.

What is your dream vacation? I love the water. Either a week at the lake catching largemouth bass or a sunny beach catching speckled trout in the surf.

What have you binged watched recently? I’m not a huge TV person, although I did get sucked into watching the “Outlanders” series recently.

Complete this sentence: Most people wouldn’t know that I … love flying airplanes. I learned to fly when I lived in North Carolina and had the distinct privilege to do my first solo flight landing at Kill Devil Hills where the Wright Brothers so famously launched us into flight.

What are some of your personal hobbies? Outside of flying airplanes and playing drums, I love hunting, fishing and building things.

Last book you read or podcast you listened to? I’m a science fiction fan. My favorite author is probably Isaac Asimov.

Last movie you saw? Can’t hardly remember. COVID-19 has kept us all out of the theaters for too long. Had to be sci fi, though.

Any kids? Pets? Three kids and weekly visitations from our two granddogs (Eva and Archie)

Favorite food on campus? I have to say the cheeseburger and sweet potato fries are hard to beat!

Favorite BCM/Medical Center hangout? As the weather warms, eating lunch out on the courtyard is nice.