I get curious about new things. My real strength is going into a field that has not been investigated before, and finding new approaches to it.

By the time I was 12 or 13, I was studying biochemistry textbooks.

The single biggest threat to man's continued dominance on the planet is the virus.

All of civility depends on being able to contain the rage of individuals.

I have many shortcomings. I feel very lucky to have been able to have what I've had.

Try hard to find out what you're good at and what your passions are, and where the two converge, and build your life around that.

If we have isolated individuals able to inflict enormous harm, imagine what a single lunatic can do with a nuclear weapon. I think the whole base of civil society is at risk.

If it takes you 20 or 25 years to establish yourself in one field, you really ought to be careful not to stray too far.

I certainly saw science as a kind of calling, and one with as much legitimacy as a religious calling.

I'd like to put in a vote for the intrinsic fascination of science.

When I was in high school, I became interested in cytochemistry: chemical analysis under the microscope, and trying to understand the composition of cells.

Music is often the spark that lights the fire of the soul.

If you are going to start, don't quit. But if you are going to quit, don't even start!

I'm always excited when I make it on anyone's list - even if it's for affirmative action. My attitude is, 'Am I the token woman on this list? Because I'll take it.'

Relax yourself from one job by doing a different one.

I enjoy yoga a lot, not even for the workout.

It's very personal in its politics, very bitter and very negative.

Reading Stephen King's book, On Writing, was like being cornered and forced to have a long, drawn out mental enema.

I try to always be open to what the actors want to try. I don't storyboard and try to be intuitive and open on the day of filming.

Truth in our ideas means their power to work.

Sometimes I think that kids who are given junk food then don't crave it as adults in the same way. I don't know. I'm trying to figure out what the psychology is behind it before I have children.