My undergraduate training in physics and engineering brought me experience in nanotechnology through my work on NASA’s Chandra Observatory and its X-ray spectrometers. While in medicine residency, I noticed the similarity between the slit-shaped structures of Chandra’s diffraction gratings and the slit diaphragm of the glomerular podocyte. This led to the hypothesis that a membrane of uniform, slit-shaped pores might have advantages over conventional polymer membranes. To pursue this hypothesis, I trained with H. David Humes, M.D. at University of Michigan, and my early publications reflect work on Dr. Humes’ large-scale bioartificial kidney.