He single-handedly devised and built an instrument made out of nylon, padding and electronic thermometers that measured both sea temperature and heat emanating from the ocean floor's rock surface. He did all the design, construction and testing, and was so successful, the Japanese asked him to build one for them. And he did. Hutnak's work helped record the first-ever measurements of heat coming from bare rocks near seafloor volcanoes. Scientists are using this data to create computer models of the heat coming from deep within the Earth.
Grad students have sound footing on theory and a background of looking at a particular problem.
They are also taught to think in a different way. But I was able to come into Paul's office at any time to ask questions, go over things, go get a bite and work things out. Students here are not passive receptors. They make major contributions. This is not a government or industrial lab, after all.