We all know that the Yankee Texan wouldn't exist without the efforts of one man in particular. Mr. Andrew Beck, a Maryland native and aspiring scientist, was a key decision maker in the early stages of "Yankee" development. After months of discernment, Beck threw aside suggestions of more meager locations like State College, PA and Boston, MA and high tailed it to the Great Republic. We, at the Yankee Texan, had a chance to sit down with him recently on the year anniversary of his move. Here's what he had to say.
YT: Andrew, thank you so much for sitting down with us today. Its been a year since you packed up your Subaru and headed to Galveston. What are your impressions of your first year as a Yankee Texan.
AB: Texans have received me with open arms. That is to say, most seem to be heavily armed.
YT: So you're working towards a PhD. Tell us a little bit about your work. I would specifically like to know the title of a few journal articles that I can throw out at cocktail parties. As I am sure you can understand, I prefer to sound ridiculously intelligent and make everyone feel rather inferior when in these situations. What would you suggest?
AB: I study the pathology of viral infections. It's a fascinating topic from several dry-sounding perspectives. I'll leave it to say that every infectious disease process has many moving parts, and it's important to study each of them. In this manner, we gain insight into far-ranging topics like vaccine design, ecology, and public health policy. There's plenty of real-life application. If you're really in the mood to take a nap, try the link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and search "viral pathogenesis." You'll get back enough papers to fill a dump truck.
YT. Excellent! I look forward to putting these to good use. I also understand that you are going for a degree in "Texan Barbecue". Two degrees in just five years, Andrew! Not for the faint of heart. What are you working on in the "Barbecue Lab?"
AB: A successful rib smoke is my eventual goal. It requires exquisite control of a charcoal fire, to hold a 200 degree temperature for 5 hours. This is not for the weak or impatient. Let's just say I need some practice.
YT: So, whats on the horizon for the coming year, your second, both at UTMB and the School of Smokin' Hot Ribs?
AB: I'll have to design some type of independent research, on a reasonable topic. This is exciting because it's an opportunity to be creative, and maybe to answer an interesting research question. Hopefully I'll pass the qualifying exams at the end of this academic year. There will be lots of hoop jumping on the way to the end. As for the ribs, I'll be spending some time learning the complexities of temperature control.
YT: And your wife, Courtney. You two are quite the power couple. She is also going for her PhD at the prestigious "School of Martial Bliss." I was bummed she could not be here today but I know she is preparing to present to her colleagues on her recent publication - "Blood, Sweat and Tears. A Tasty Addition to Tonight's Chicken Cacciatore." How is she handling the pressures?
AB: She's handling it better than expected. This paper must be pretty significant. I saw it last month in The Journal of Why Your Wife Deserves Some Kind of Medal.
YT: She's quite a lady. Well, thanks so much for taking time with us today. We know you are a busy busy man. We look forward to talking again soon.
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