Jamie Hyneman appointed Professor of Practice at LUT University

Inventor and product developer Jamie Hyneman, also known for his work on the TV show MythBusters, has been appointed as LUT University's Professor of Practice for a five-year term from November 15, 2021 to November 14, 2026.

"I'm truly honored by the appointment. I am happy to help LUT by contributing what I know about technology and business and am looking forward to future projects and challenges," Hyneman says.

Hyneman was awarded an honorary doctorate at LUT University in 2017. In addition, LUT named its prototype lab in Lappeenranta after him: the J. Hyneman Center (JHC) is a workshop where students can develop new ideas and solutions to problems and build and test prototypes. It is open to all students and staff members of the university group LUT Universities.

Encouraging students to tap into their creativity

Hyneman has been actively involved in projects at JHC since its foundation. He has weighed in on what technologies to select for the workshop, supervised student projects and helped students design an electric superbike and a telepresence robot that opens up new possibilities for distance learning. 


"As a Professor of Practice, I plan to encourage and support student innovations at JHC. I also hope to participate in the university's activity on a wider scale. For instance, environmental issues and different types of vehicles are especially close to my heart. These are things I've been delighted to find that LUT and I are very much aligned with," Hyneman outlines.

"However, when it comes to innovation, you can never anticipate every possible aspect. In other words, I do not want to limit my collaboration with LUT by setting detailed goals. People understand what out-of-the-box thinking means, but if you are going to do that, you need to be able to move around competently both in and out of the box to actually be effective," Hyneman adds.

First lecture on prototypes

LUT University is a community where curious people inspire others of their kind. Members of the LUT community influence the world in a new way: they question, come up with solutions to future problems and boldly show the way. According to Associate Professor Markku Ikävalko, Hyneman and LUT are a good fit.

"Hyneman is a bold entrepreneur and trailblazer who never tires of trying something new and developing the old. That's what we at LUT do every day," Ikävalko analyzes.

Also Project Manager Terhi Virkki-Hatakka is eagerly looking forward to productive collaboration at JHC. She says Hyneman focuses on making things happen and going forward and does not dwell on his previous achievements.

"Cooperating with Jamie is very inspiring. He always seems to have good ideas or experiential knowledge of how to proceed," Head of Development Marko Kasurinen says.

Hyneman will visit LUT's Lappeenranta campus November 16–19 and will give his first lecture on Thursday, November 18 from 10:00 to 11:00 on the topic "Peeling the Onion: How to Start Prototyping". Follow the lecture at https://lut.zoom.us/j/69077806875
 

Jamie Hyneman

• Inventor and product developer
• Best known as the co-host and executive producer of the science series MythBusters on the Discovery Channel (2002–2016). MythBusters was filmed at M5 Industries, Hyneman's company. He currently uses the facilities for his private research and product development.
• Has also owned and operated a pet store, gone through formal survival training, and worked as a charter boat captain, divemaster and special effects expert.
• Has built special effects for many well-known movies and collaborated with national agencies and businesses in the US.
• Is currently an advisor to the startup Zeroavia, which is building the world's first aircrafts that utilize hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
• Has invented and developed off-road and on-road vehicles and related technologies, notably a remote-controlled, fireproof forest fire fighting vehicle. Hyneman is also one of the developers of the Wavecam robot camera system.
• Graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Russian linguistics.
• Lives with his family in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. 
• LUT University's honorary doctor since 2017 and Professor of Practice for the term Nov. 15, 2021––Nov. 14, 2026. Professors of practice serve a fixed term.