"Typically, when you look for role models, you want someone who has your interests and came from the same background. Well, look how restricting that is. What people should do is take role models a la carte. If there's someone whose character you appreciated, you respect that trait."
American astrophysicist and science communicator. He serves as director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York and has hosted and produced science programming and media. He is widely known for public education work in astronomy.