Kirk Johnson (scientist)
Kirk Johnson (scientist)
Kirk Richard Johnson is an American paleontologist, author, curator, and museum administrator, and is currently serving as Sant Director of Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
"I am stubbornly optimistic and that helps me take on challenges of all sizes. During my life, I have witnessed breathtaking scientific discoveries and situations where single individuals have driven positive change. I am also a big believer in the power of teams and the ability of small groups of committed people to achieve great things."
"It has been science that has greatly accelerated the human endeavor over the last few centuries and it will be science that will meet the challenges of the present century."
"Once you see what science is, then theres no stopping you. If you have curiosity, if you keep your childhood curiosity, then every day is amazing."
"“Most people think about, at most, an election cycle,” he says. That can lead to shortsightedness on issues such as climate change: “How do we, as humans with our rapidly growing populations, not destroy all the natural ecosystems?” he wonders."
