Cara Santa Maria quotes:

Science is actually, I think, a very creative venture. It requires thinking outside of the box. It requires an ability to be open to new experiences and an ability to change course in the middle, try a different path, or go about things in a new way.

The minute that you make the discussion in the room more well-rounded, multicultural, and of course having differences in gender, you're going to have a different approach.

Ultimately, the main reason that you want more women in the sciences is the same reason you want more gay men in the sciences. It's the same reason you want more Latinos or African Americans; it's because if you come at a problem from a different perspective, you will be offering a creative vision that wasn't there before.

For some people, the way that they're perceived by the outside world is not a priority.

It's funny to hear how much certain people resist the lip ring. Sometimes I'll do a piece on an important topic and all the YouTube comments will be about the lip ring. I don't really have a good answer for why I got the lip ring. I just wanted it! But I've had it for a million years. I got my lip pierced when I was like 15.

It's important to be able to be a girl and be a scientist and have neither of those things affect each other.

That's a male pornographic fantasy that we're buttoned-up all day and let our boobs hang out at night. The truth is, some girls are very girly and feminine, and they love to wear makeup and high heels. Other girls are more tomboyish, and they don't.

Good skin makes me feel pretty, and it makes me feel healthy, and it makes me feel happy.

I like the fact that people are surprised by my age. I like the fact that I get carded.