"I'm not a fan of the word 'nerd' because it implies that there's something wrong with being smart. I prefer 'intellectual powerhouse' or 'brainiac.'"

"I'm often asked if I believe in UFOs. I'm open to the possibility, but I need evidence. I need the aliens to land on the White House lawn, or at least in my backyard, and say hello."

"The universe is a stage, and we are all actors in it."

"For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far you can get with those two."

"Science is not a battle between good and evil. It's a battle between ignorance and knowledge."