Physicist, pilot, entrepreneur, publisher, and parent, alum Elaine Hyde has worn many hats throughout her remarkable career. Her latest achievement, however, is truly out of this world.

To infinity and beyond

Elaine’s fascination with space began at age 10, sparked by an astronaut’s visit to her school. That moment led her to Space Camp in the U.S. at 16, and later to the University of Melbourne, where she pursued undergraduate degrees in both science and commerce, further fuelling her cosmic ambitions.

Her time at university was transformative. “My first semester was filled with happiness and joy,” she recalls. “I met so many friendly people and I was astounded by how smart everybody was. I went into a blitz of meeting people, and I made a lot of good friends... that was a fantastic start to my university life."

The best of both worlds

Elaine's dual background in physics and commerce reflects her diverse interests and gives her a unique lens through which to view the world. "I've always been a little bit of a generalist and I could tell that I wanted a breadth of experience and not just to be studying very specifically one thing,” she explains. “I can now speak on both science and commerce, and the intersection of that is very powerful."

Her university experience extended far beyond the classroom. From student societies to early morning shifts in campus kitchens, Elaine embraced every opportunity. "I worked at the coffee shop, I scrubbed the floor, I washed the dishes. I worked at the kitchens under Union House. I woke up at 4:50 to get the tram in. University here is about so much more than academia. It's about [being] a well-rounded individual."

These experiences laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial journey.  In her twenties, she founded Chicago Star Media, personally delivering newspapers to hundreds of locations. Under her leadership, the publication evolved into a global communications firm. Today, she leads XPLR Fund and Eastside Enterprises, a research and development company focused on AI-assisted media products.

Balancing act

As a scientist, entrepreneur, licenced pilot, and parent of five, Elaine has mastered the art of juggling multiple responsibilities.

"I do so many things, but I didn't do them all at once,” she explains. “Understand that there are phases in life... if you are smart enough to keep yourself alive and healthy, you are going to have the chance to do everything you want. Put them in a list and do one after the other."

Given her unconventional career path, Elaine offers valuable advice for those looking to forge their own way. “I had to blaze my own trail and work with my own personality,” she says. “The best advice I can give is to get to know yourself really well… and where your strengths are because you might not fit into this mould or that mould, or this corporation or that corporation.

Reach for the stars

Now that Elaine is back on Earth after her historic space flight, she’s channelling her energy into uplifting the next generation. She regularly volunteers her time to speak with students and aspiring scientists, encouraging young people to pursue careers in STEM.