I have never really understood why in this country so many people look down on black people.

You sometimes have a very innovative company, and if they come up with one idea, they can come up with many more - if they're successful. If they can't feed themselves, you lose that creativity.

Persevere. That's what I always say to people. There's no easy route.

Peer review is fine, as long as you're making incremental improvements to a technology.

I've always liked to tinker with things.

In 1975, I was called to active duty in the Air Force, studying U.S. space launches that used nuclear power. I felt it was a big deal to be involved in such an important project - we were providing technical support for launch recommendations that ultimately went to the president.