Geek of the Week: Andrew Hyde (Super Senior, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering)

Enjoyably nerdy as Mines can be, many geeks spend their time here trying desperately to escape this school as fast as possible. Some succeed, some do not. Others take their time in the academic realm, get the most they can out of their education, and pass on as much hard-earned wisdom as they can to underclassmen. Somewhere in the middle of those lies Andrew Hyde.

[Oredigger]: What made you choose Chemical and Biochemical engineering as a major?

[Hyde]: Originally, I wanted to go to medical school. The real question is why did I stay with that major? The answer to that is…I don’t know. Something about biosciences and making people’s lives better through biotechnology.

What has been your favorite class so far?

Possibly Genetics with Dr. Ogg. Not only…[are] both lecture and lab…applicable to most biotechnology…unlike so many other courses at this school, [but] you get to make mutants! And grow them in a petri dish while listening to Ogg’s sarcasm and general attitude of sunshine.

Are you a geek and why?

Let’s parameterize “geek” for a start. A nerd is someone with above average intelligence, in my view, who gets wrapped up in his own intelligence. A geek is someone who is obsessive about a certain individual, non-mainstream concept. I guess the fact that I distinguish between the two makes me a geeks. The fact that I work [at the Geology Museum] as a Chem-E says I’m a geek because this is a hobby and a line of work that is beyond my own personal intelligence or line of work.

Do you know what free time is and if so, how do you spend it?

Free time is time that is not taken up by homework, classes, or exams. I spend my free time working two jobs, taking care of my family, sleeping, playing classical guitar, [doing anything involving] rocks. I write poetry, I compose classical music, I make jewelry, and I write calligraphy.

What is your favorite thing about Mines?

Hah! Yeah, next question.

What are some of your greatest accomplishments?

I’ve designed, prototyped, and field tested an intra-arterial stent. I’ve supervised a team that came up with a new formula and delivery system for a thrombolytic drug used to replace surgical treatments in patients with heart failure. I’ve helped revamp the club sports program at Mines. I created their sideline medical protocols [and] trained over eight hundred people in the program in CPR and first aid. I’ve kept myself alive.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

The ability to turn off my emotions because [the ability to evaluate] an option completely rationally is a valuable tool in life for making decisions that benefit others.

Who would win in a fight between a “Star Wars” stormtrooper and a “Star Trek” redshirt?
The stormtrooper because although he cannot hit the redshirt, the redsirt is gonna die anyways. [Speaking realistically,] the stormtrooper’s going to win because he has armor and training…Stormtroopers have six years of training at the Academy whereas redshirts have approximately one semester of tactical training, so yeah, the stormtrooper wins.

If you could be dropped into any fictional universe, what would it be and why?

Probably the Lego universe simply because the way it’s portrayed in all of the games, movies, comics, etc, malice exists, but it has no major impact on people, which makes [that universe] one of the most free places you can be. You can be what you want to be and feel what you want to feel and really it’s only the positive things that are long-lasting and matter. Ultimately, you can only do so much damage before you reduce [someone] to a pile of bricks, which you can’t hurt.

How would you handle things if Mines was invaded by a horde of rabid Bronies?

With prejudice. Friendship is bullets.

Do you have any plans for the future?

I plan to work in biotechnology and medicine because they occupy my time and I enjoy them. [I plan to] live frugally, care for others, [and] not die for a little while.

Do you have any advice for fellow geeks and Mines students?

Don’t go to Mines.

Do you have a favorite quote?

“If you wake up and you’re not in pain, you’re dead.” -Russian proverb.