As a kid, I was obsessed with space. Well, I was obsessed with nuclear science too, to a point, but before that, I was obsessed with space, and I was really excited about, you know, being an astronaut and designing rockets, which was something that was always exciting to me.

If you look at the scientists who really make a difference, they think boldly. They're not afraid to question what they see.

I started out with a dream to make a star in a jar in my garage, and I ended up meeting the President of the United States!

When I was 10 years old, that nuclear spark hit me. Whatever it may be, I really don't know what it was about nuclear science, but whatever it was that triggered that interest, it stuck. I went after that one with a passion.