Andy was one of the first group leaders I met at the IGC. I did a two month rotation in his group and without his and his groups encouragement I never would have taken up bioinformatics. Those two short months were two of the most formative months of my career so far. Andy then became the chair of my thesis committee and we kept in touch over the course of my PhD. As a fellow outdoor enthusiast I found a kindred spirit in Andy, sharing mountaineering stories and dreaming of the next adventure. He made me believe that choosing a career in science did not have to be the end of the outdoor adventures. His smile and enthusiasm were infectious and you always came away from any interaction with him feeling like you could take on the world. You will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting you Andy. Becka