Right now, I am interested in how water, gas, and rock interact to produce different types of minerals on Mars. Why I became a scientist is a very long story. One of the most important prerequisites for being a scientist is simple curiosity. I went into science because I wanted to understand everything I could about how the natural world works. Another important quality is liking to solve problems.
Most young children are naturally curious and many like to solve puzzles.
I was certainly no exception. My parents are both chemists and were in graduate school when I was in elementary school. I learned at a very young age that curiosity is a good thing, and that science is a life-long process of learning. The Early Years I didn't know exactly what I wanted to be at first. In kindergarten I remember that I wanted to be a ballet dancer and work in a lab like my Dad.