Inclusive Attitude
That men disproportionally represent the scientists, engineers and people in technical positions in the commercial quantum technology sector is already a widely known fact. The good news is that this is changing, slowly. Many women now hold jobs in the engineering, software and hardware fields for some of the bigger players like Google, Microsoft and IBM etc. Yet, it’s not just the multinationals that are playing their part, startups are doing what needs to be done, too.
TQD has come up with a list of 52 women working as engineers or in positions requiring technical competence in quantum computing (QC) startups. The list, as usual, is non-exhaustive — it’s just a general map of what it’s like out there, a rough compass to how women are changing the QC landscape.
A shout-out first must go to companies like 1QBit, ColdQuanta, HQS Quantum Simulations, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, and Riverlane for having three or more women on their books in these positions (or from what we know about). Okay, we know these figures look insignificant compared to the women Google and the other multinationals employ as engineers, but TQD believes they have a great inclusive attitude that is great for the industry.
Because of this, the last four entries, 49–52, have been dedicated to women working for the Big Companies, though we realize the figure is many, many times higher. I omitted them as I didn’t want a list as long as The Yellow Brick Road and I sometimes like to sleep.
You may also like:
- 12 Women Pioneering The World Of Quantum Computing
- 23 Individuals Building Quantum Strategies For Multinational End-Users
- Women in Quantum: Christine Johnson of Ingenii
*All data correct as of early August 2021
1. Maritza Hernandez-Gaete: Lead Scientist, 1QBit
A Lead Scientist in the Quantum-Inspired Optimization Division at quantum computing software company 1QBit, Maritza Hernandez-Gaete’s duties entail delivering solutions to various industry partners by leveraging novel quantum computing and quantum-inspired technologies.
Her more than a decade of industry and academic research experience in quantum computing, as well as her work in the performance of quantum hardware, including D-Wave Systems’ quantum annealer and Microsoft and Fujitsu’s respective quantum-inspired devices, means Hernandez is a valuable asset for the Vancouver-based company.
Before working for 1QBit, Hernandez held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. She obtained her Ph.D. in Quantum Optics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
2. Shengru Ren: Lead, Hardware Innovation Lab, 1QBit
Another employee of 1QBit, Shengru Ren earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia. With experience working in the fields of hardware, ASIC design, and FPGA development, at the Hardware Innovation Lab Shengru Ren oversees a successful team of scientists and software developers in the full stack of quantum computing, software development and algorithm design at 1QBit.
One interesting fact is before entering the quantum computing industry, Shengru Ren knew almost nothing about it. To get the ball rolling, she started learning by herself from textbooks, lecture notes and online courses — covering subjects on math, physics and computing.
3. Maliheh Aramon: Optimization Lead, 1QBit
Maliheh Aramon is yet another female employee of 1QBit (respect due), where she takes on the role of Optimization Lead. With a love for optimization, probability, algorithms, and data analysis, Aramon’s role at 1QBit on developing algorithms and tools for solving business problems is a match made in heaven.
Aramon obtained her Ph.D. in Operations Research from the University of Toronto.
4. Anna Hughes: Quantum Software Engineer, Agnostiq
Anna Hughes is a Quantum Software Engineer at Canadian quantum computing startup Agnostiq where she develops, tests and benchmarks the company’s quantum software products. Hughes does this by assisting in the implementation of new algorithms using PythonTest and benchmark software applications, contributing to and maintaining Agnostiq’s existing (proprietary) codebases and packaging and polishing software for distribution.
She received her Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy from the University of British Columbia.
5. Caterina Foti: Researcher, Algorithmiq
A researcher at Finnish QC startup Algorithmiq, Caterina Foti is also Coordinator of QPlayLearn, an online platform containing multimedia resources for learning about quantum science and technologies in a playful way, founded by members of the Algorithmiq team.
Foti — who has a Ph.D. in Physics from The University of Florence and postdoc research experience from Aalto University — assists her colleagues at Algorithmiq to combine their expertise in quantum information, complex systems and computational physics to develop algorithms that run on near-term quantum devices to develop new and effective drugs, solve important problems in life sciences and discover new materials.
6. Natalia Pankratova: Quantum Scientist, Alice & Bob
Natalia Pankratova is a Quantum Physicist at Paris-based QC startup Alice & Bob, a spin-off from the ENS Paris and ENS de Lyon set to revolutionize the industry with its self-correcting quantum bits that enable fault-tolerant quantum computing.
A quantum device engineer by training specialized in quantum super-/semiconducting device design, low-temperature measurements and characterization techniques, Pankratova has a Ph.D. in Physics and substantial research experience at the Superconducting Circuits Lab from the University of Maryland. Her academic background and engineering skills, then, will be vitally needed for Alice & Bob to follow through with its quantum error correction strategies for superconducting circuits.
7. Ivana Petkovic: Researcher, Alice & Bob
In the job since the start of the year, Ivana Petkovic is a Researcher at Alice & Bob. Prior to Alice & Bob, Petkovic was a researcher at Microsoft Station Q where she was part of a team of theoretical and experimental condensed-matter physicists seeking to develop and optimize the numerical simulations of topological qubits, taking responsibility for understanding and calculating electron transport in superconductor/semiconductor systems, contributing to the design and improvement of qubits, working with experimentalists, and providing guidance for qubit measurement and interpretation — now, luckily for Alice & Bob, she brings these traits to their research efforts.
Petkovic has a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed-matter Physics from the Paris-Sud University and postdoc research experience from both the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Yale University.
8. Rhonda Wittels: VP Engineering, Aliro Quantum
Rhonda Wittels is VP of Engineering of Aliro Quantum, a quantum networking platform startup and spinoff from the NarangLab at Harvard University developing quantum networks for ultra-secure communication.
At Aliro she combines her technical skills in tools and infrastructure with her passion for leading teams of engineers to help build Aliro’s Quantum Entanglement as a Service (EaaS), enabling 100% secure networks.
Wittels holds an AB in Engineering from Harvard University.
9. Robin Coxe: Chief Control Systems Engineer, Atom Computing
Robin Coxe is Chief Control Systems Engineer at Atom Computing, a startup building quantum computers out of optically trapped neutral atoms.
Specialized in Software Defined Radio, RF system design and V&V, debugging, hardware/software integration amongst other things, prior to Atom Computing Coxe spent almost two decades as a principal research scientist, an independent consultant implementing and integrating embedded microprocessors in reconfigurable FPGAs and designing and verifying DSP algorithms in FPGAs, a product manager, senior design engineer, a project lead, chief R&D manager in Software Defined Radio, as well as being the founder of a company that provides contract SDR and FPGA design services.
It’s safe to say with this much experience Atom Computing has got itself a top-notch employee.
Coxe gained her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago where her focus was in experimental elementary particle physics.
10. Kayleigh Cassella (She/Her): Quantum Engineer, Atom Computing
Another employee at Berkeley-based Atom Computing is Quantum Engineer Kayleigh Cassella.
With a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley, Cassella spent over a decade there not only as a Ph.D. candidate, but as a graduate student instructor, a postdoctoral researcher, and a graduate research assistant where they were developing an atom interferometer with laser-cooled lithium at super-recoil temperatures.
11. Alex Tingle (She/Her): Product Manager, Quantum Devices, ColdQuanta
The first of four female employees at ColdQuanta, Alex Tingle is a Product Manager of Quantum Devices, a leader of cold atom quantum technology.
Tingle has almost a decade of industry experience as an R&D/systems engineer intern, test design engineer and vacuum engineer before taking on their current role this summer.
Tingle has an MSc in Physics from the University of Colorado Boulder.
12. Hannah North: Engineer and Project Owner — Albert Quantum Design Platform at ColdQuanta
With a BS in Engineering Physics from the Colorado School of Mines, Hannah North is an Engineer at ColdQuanta and the owner of Albert: Quantum Design Platform, a project that is the first-ever design platform for quantum sensing and network applications that eventually will be used to design Quantum Accelerometers, Quantum Gyroscopes, and Quantum Signal Processors, and other quantum devices.
Before ColdQuanta, North worked as a research assistant and engineer.
13. Judith Olson: Head of Atomic Clock Division, Senior Physicist, ColdQuanta
Judith Olson heads the Atomic Clock Division at ColdQuanta that is working on delivering a state-of-the-art atomic clock. Skilled in laser stabilization, frequency metrology, atom interferometry, vacuum systems, cryogenics, and atomic clocks, she has been in the role since July 2021.
An experienced physicist with nearly a decade working in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, timing services, and the higher education industry, Olson obtained her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Colorado Boulder.
14.Eva Caravaca Crespo: Optical Physicist, Crypta Labs
Eva Caravaca Crespo is an Optical Physicist at London-based quantum encryption solutions startup Crypta Labs. Currently working on the algorithms and development of optics needed for Crypta Labs’ QRNG, and researching new ways to obtain random numbers from photonics sources, Caravaca Crespo has extensive experience with photonics integrated chips, integrated micro-optics and fibre optic technology. She also has experience developing light-based diagnostic techniques such as OCT and OCR.
Caravaca Crespo has a BSc in Physics from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
15. Phattharaporn Singkanipa: Quantum Algorithms Scientist, Entropica Labs
Phattharaporn Singkanipa is a Quantum Algorithms Scientist at Singapore-based startup Entropica Labs, a spinoff from Singapore’s Centre for Quantum Technologies (NUS) that creates algorithms, software tools, methods and models to make quantum computers useful. Here, Singkanipa works on optimization theory, fault-tolerant and near-term quantum computing.
Singkanipa has an MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics from The University of Sheffield.
16. Si-Hui Tan: Chief Science Officer, Horizon Computing
Chief Science Officer at Horizon Computing, a pioneering Singaporean company whose approach to quantum computing allows users to write programs in classical languages that can be compiled and run on conventional or quantum computers, Si-Hui Tan heads the research development of the startup. Her research interests are in quantum information theory, quantum optics and quantum statistics, though with a particular focus on Gaussian states, optimal and near-optimal optical measurements and receivers, bi-photon states, non-classical measures and quantum interferometry.
Prior to joining Horizon, she has worked as a research scientist, initially at A*STAR’s Data Storage Institute, and subsequently at Singapore University of Technology and Design and the Centre for Quantum Technologies, has published extensively in top physics journals, including Physical Review Letters and Physical Review X, and in well-known conference proceedings such as the IEEE Information Symposium on Information Theory and the SPIE International Symposium on Optics and Photonics.
Si-Hui Tan obtained her Ph.D. in Physics from MIT.
17. Jayne Thompson: Technical Product Manager, Horizon Computing
Another employee working for Horizon Computing is Jayne Thompson, the startup’s Technical Product Manager who is an expert in quantum algorithms, with specific interests in the application of quantum technologies to areas such as designing interactive agents, stochastic simulation and time series analysis. She brings these skills to her role at the startup to identify ways to tailor the company’s quantum software suite to meet users’ needs and key areas of growth for such platforms in the quantum software market.
Prior to Horizon Computing, Thompson worked at Singapore’s Centre for Quantum Technologies. She has a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Melbourne.
18. Iris Schwenk: COO, R&D and Co–Founder, HQS Quantum Simulations
Iris Schwenk is COO and the co-founder of HQS Quantum Simulations, a German startup that provides software for material scientists in the chemical industry and academia that incorporates sophisticated quantum-level models of the properties of molecules and materials, giving researchers the deeper insights they need to identify the perfect solution.
At HQS Schwenk is responsible for everything that keeps the company running and oversees the customer-facing software development.
She obtained her Ph.D. in Reconstruction and Verification of Quantum Simulation at the KIT Institute of Theoretical Solid State Physics, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg.
19. Kirsten Bark: Quantum Algorithms Software Developer, HQS Quantum Simulations
Another woman working for HQS Quantum Simulations is Quantum Algorithms Software Developer, Kirsten Bark. She has a keen interest in quantum technologies, with a focus on quantum algorithms in NISQ computing, is an expert in computing, simulations and software engineering, as well as skilled in implementing and using Monte Carlo modelling and Molecular Dynamics simulations.
Bark has an MSci in Quantum and Condensed Matter Physics from UCL.
20. Sonia Álvarez Barcia: Senior Expert — Computational Chemistry, HQS Quantum Simulations
The third woman who holds a technical position at HQS Quantum Simulations, which says much about the company in question, Sonia Álvarez Barcia is currently working in the field of Molecular Simulations at the Karlsruhe-based startup HQS Quantum Simulations. Prior to HQS, Álvarez Barcia held a postdoctoral position in the Computational Chemistry Group at the University of Stuttgart where she worked in the study of enzymatic reactions by means of QM/MM techniques.
Though obviously not an expert in quantum computing, her specialist knowledge will certainly help HQS with the task of creating quantum-level models of materials and their molecular properties.
21. Inés de Vega: Head of Quantum Innovations, IQM Quantum Computers
Inés de Vega is Head of Quantum Innovations at IQM Quantum Computers, a leader in superconducting quantum computers, headquartered in Espoo, Finland, and whose Nordic values and the vibrant ecosystem give the startup a unique advantage in building the future of quantum technologies.
Vega, who is also a research scientist in analyzing and describing the properties and possible technological applications of such complex open quantum systems at the Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, is focused on R&D in physics (quantum noise), intellectual property, patent prosecution, and sustainability.
She has a Ph.D. in Physics from the Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where she was working on the description of how properties of quantum systems can be strongly modified and tailored by controlling their interaction with an environment.
22. Cristina Sanz Fernández : Quantum Software Developer, Multiverse Computing
A Quantum Software Developer since May of this year at Multiverse Computing, a startup based in San Sebastián, the Basque Country that provides software for companies from the financial industry wanting to gain an edge with quantum computing, Cristina Sanz Fernández is an enthusiastic learner of quantum computing who obtained her Ph.D. in Spintronics and Nanophotonics from the Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU).
At Multiverse Computing Sanz Fernández is involved in science outreach and gender equality projects.
23. Ailsa Keyser: Quantum Engineer, Oxford Quantum Circuits
Ailsa Keyser is a Quantum Engineer at Oxford Quantum Circuits, a company that has built the UK’s most advanced quantum computers, the only ones commercially available in the country.
Working in the quantum hardware team, Keyser runs qubit measurements and is developing the startup’s unique superconducting qubit technology.
She has a Ph.D. in Quantum Systems Engineering from Imperial College London.
24. Caterina-Eloisa Mora: Director of Research Operations, PhaseCraft
Director of Research Operations at British company PhaseCraft, Caterina-Eloisa Mora is a theoretical physicist by training and has built a career in research strategy and management.
After spending a year as a postdoc in Waterloo, Ontario, she moved to the UK to work for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as Portfolio Manager for Pure Mathematics.
Prior to joining Phasecraft in the spring of 2021, Mora was Director of Research Strategy Delivery at King’s College London, responsible for developing, monitoring and coordinating the delivery of the College’s strategy.
She obtained her Ph.D. in Quantum Information from the University of Innsbruck.
25. Stasja Stanisic: Quantum Software Researcher, PhaseCraft
Joining Mora at PhaseCraft is Quantum Software Researcher Stasja Stanisic, whose skills will help the startup develop the fundamental quantum theory and software to enable quantum computers to investigate novel quantum materials, simulate chemical reactions and solve hard constraint satisfaction problems.
Stanisic gained her Ph.D. in Quantum Engineering from the University of Bristol with the thesis: On the Quantum Information of Photons: Entanglement and Distinguishability in Linear Optics.
26. Stephanie Simmons: Chief Quantum Officer, Photonic
Stephanie Simmons is the Founder and Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, a Burnaby, British Columbia-based startup designing next-generation quantum technologies in silicon.
Simmons is a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Quantum Nanoelectronics, as well as a Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Fellow in Quantum Information Science, and Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University (SFU). At SFU, she leads the Silicon Quantum Technology research group.
A world-leading expert in quantum technologies, silicon spin-photon interfaces, condensed matter spin dynamics and control, silicon integrated photonics, and quantum optics, Simmons’ efforts for her startup reaching the “silicon tipping point” of stable, identical, scalable, manufacturable, and networkable photonic silicon spin qubits.
She obtained her Ph.D. in Materials Science at Oxford University as a Clarendon Scholar.
27. Jiayin Chen: Quantum Control Engineer, Q-CTRL
Working on the intersection between quantum technology and classical machine learning, Jiayin Chen is a Quantum Control Engineer at Q-CTRL, a Sydney-based startup building infrastructure software to power quantum technology.
In the role since July 2021, she is an expert in statistics, ML, control engineering and quantum computing, Jiayin Chen’s work entails inventing new algorithms on quantum computers to enhance classical ML methods. At the same time, she develops new classical optimization algorithms that can broaden the application of current quantum computers.
Jiayin Chen is a Ph.D. candidate in Quantum Information Processing and Quantum ML at The University of New South Wales Sydney (UNSW). She has a BSc (Hons) in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics with a minor in Physics from The Australian National University.
28. Yasaman Samadi: Researcher & Developer, QBee
Currently a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at the University of Porto (U.Porto), Yasaman Samadi is a Researcher and Developer of QBee tools at QBee, a Belgian startup that develops quantum accelerators for various applications.
With research interests that lie in low-level control electronic systems, FPGAs, and Micro-Architecture for Quantum Accelerators, she is the perfect fit for QBee’s full-stack quantum research.
Samadi has a Master’s in Computer Architecture Engineering from the Islamic Azad University.
29. Alicia Welden: Quantum Chemist, QC Ware
Alicia Welden is a Quantum Chemist at the Silicon Valley-based enterprise software and services for quantum computing startup QC Ware. At the company, Welden works on mixed classical/quantum approaches to practical chemistry simulations on quantum hardware.
She has a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from the University of Michigan.
30. Marta P. Estarellas: Senior Quantum Engineer, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech
Working as a Senior Quantum Engineer at Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, a startup with headquarters in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Marta P. Estarellas, a theoretical physicist and computer engineer, focuses on quantum computer architectures and compilation methods for a startup whose goal is to manufacture coherent quantum annealing high-quality qubit architectures to deliver scalable app-specific quantum processors and services.
Estarellas obtained her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of York.
31. Alexandra Bernasconi: Measurement Systems Engineer, QPhox
Alexandra Bernasconi is a Measurement Systems Engineer at QPhox, a quantum transduction startup that is developing the world’s first quantum modem device, connecting quantum computers across a quantum network, eventually forming “the backbone of the future quantum internet.”
Bernasconi studied Interdisciplinary Sciences at ETH Zurich for her Master’s program, where she focused on quantum physics and worked on simulations for converting quantum information between superconducting microwave circuits and infrared light.
32. Purnima Sethi: Research Scientist, QpiAI
A fabrication research scientist who specializes in silicon photonics, integrated optics, quantum optics, light-chip coupling, fabrication, and nano-bio-photonics, Purnima Sethi is a Research Scientist at QpiAI, a quantum startup with headquarters in India’s Silicon Valley, Bangalore, Karnataka.
With almost a decade of research experience in the said disciplines above, Sethi has two Masters degrees, one in Electronics and the other in Physics from the Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra.
33. Stefanie Beale: Researcher, Quantum Benchmark Inc. (now part of Keysight Technologies)
Stefanie Beale is a Researcher at Keysight Technologies (Quantum Benchmark Inc.). She did her undergraduate thesis and about eight months of full-time research in solid-state physics and then transitioned to studying quantum error correction when she started her masters. She is currently working full-time for Keysight Technologies, as she accepted an R&D position when Quantum Benchmark was acquired. She is also working on completing her Ph.D. at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo part-time.
34. Ana Martín Fernández: Chief Scientist Officer (CSO) and Lead Quantum Engineer, Q-Allocate and Quantum Mads
Chief Scientist Officer (CSO) and Lead Quantum Engineer of the hybrid quantum-classical algorithm to generate portfolio allocation weights Q-Allocate and Quantum Mads, a startup focused on designing and integrating quantum and quantum-inspired nodes into classical infrastructures based in Bilbao, the Basque region, Spain, Ana Martín Fernández is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Universidad del País Vasco researching quantum algorithms and their implementations on Cloud quantum computers.
Martín Fernández has a Master’s in Quantum Science and Technology from the Universidad del País Vasco.
35. Virginia Ciriano-Tejel: Researcher, Quantum Motion
Virginia Ciriano-Tejel is a Researcher at Quantum Motion, a London-based startup developing a revolutionary technology platform with a scalable array of qubits fabricated on silicon with a CMOS compatible process. Along with this, she is a Ph.D. student in quantum technologies at UCL.
With a keen interest in silicon quantum dots, Ciriano-Tejel’s work is focused on improving the readout of these devices using reflectometry and developing architectures to scale up this technique, with the intended goal of understanding the limits of readout fidelity and, ultimately, achieving single-shot readout necessary for quantum error correction algorithms.
She also has a passion for scaling up quantum computers. Specifically, in developing strategies to reduce how the number of interconnections and control lines scales with the number of qubits.
She has a Master’s in Physics from The University of Zaragoza
36. Sofia Patomaki: Quantum Engineer, Quantum Motion
With Ciriano-Tejel at Quantum Motion is Quantum Engineer Sofia Patomaki. And like her colleague, she is a Ph.D. candidate at UCL where her research focuses on realizing few-qubit systems with spin qubit couplers, with the aim to demonstrate a strong, high-fidelity coupling across micrometre distances, helping move step towards a scalable, fault-tolerant spin qubit processor.
Patomaki has a Master’s in Theoretical Physics from the University of Helsinki.
37. Caterina Taballione: Quantum System Engineer, QuiX BV
An expert in photonic integrated circuits for spectrometric application and quantum information processing, Caterina Taballione is a Quantum System Engineer at QuiX, a Dutch startup that offers a plug-and-play integrated and reconfigurable light-based quantum processor “that accelerates the way to a quantum future.”
Taballione obtained her Ph.D. in Integrated Photonics from the University of Twente
38. Michelle Fritz: Senior Machine Learning Scientist, Qunnect
Michelle Fritz is a Senior Machine Learning Scientist at Qunnect, an NYC-based startup building hardware to transform telecommunications infrastructure into scalable quantum networks. Prior to Qunnect, Fritz gained experience as a data scientist for a number of entities.
She has a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics and Nanotechnology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
39. Anindita Banerjee: Quantum Security Specialist, QuNu Labs
Anindita Banerjee is a Quantum Security Specialist at QuNu Labs, another quantum startup with headquarters in Bangalore, India, and a leader in quantum cryptography products and solutions offering security for data at rest and in transit.
With expertise in quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum random number generator (QRNG), and quantum-safe cryptography.
A Senior Research Associate at the Bose Institute, Kolkata, Banerjee has a Ph.D. in Quantum Circuits from the Jaypee Institute Of Information Technology, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
40. Sarah McCarthy: Cryptography Advisor, QuSecure
A Cryptography Advisor at QuSecure, a cybersecurity startup for the post-quantum era, Sarah McCarthy is a researcher of post-quantum cryptography and a specialist in post-quantum lattice-based cryptography. For more information on her, check out her personal website here.
McCarthy received her Ph.D. in Lattice-based Crypto at the Centre of Secure Information Technologies, Queen’s University Belfast and continued her postdoctoral research at the University of Waterloo, Ontario.
41. Xian Wu: Senior Quantum Engineer, Rigetti Computing
Xian Wu is a Senior Quantum Engineer at high-profile quantum company Rigetti Computing. An experienced engineer in superconducting qubits, quantum dot measurements, EM simulation with comsol, HFSS, sonnet, microwave engineering, micro-fabrication, data analysis, and Python, Xian Wu has had more than a decade’s worth of research experience in the design and electromagnetic simulation of on-chip microwave components for superconducting quantum computing, amongst other things.
She has a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
42. Ophelia Crawford: Senior Quantum Scientist, Riverlane
The first of three women employed in technical positions at Riverlane, a Cambridge, UK-based startup transforming quantum computers from experimental technology into commercial products via pioneering quantum software, Senior Quantum Scientist Ophelia Crawford works on developing methods to reduce the resources required to perform calculations on quantum computers.
Crawford completed a Ph.D. in Geophysics at the University of Cambridge, during which she gained expertise in numerical algorithms while she is also the lead PI on an Innovate UK Eureka grant, working with Canadian collaborators to enhance industrial productivity.
43. Nicole Holzmann: Manager of Quantum Science, Riverlane
Nicole Holzmann, as Manager of Quantum Science at Riverlane, is busy working on designing covalent enzyme inhibitors using quantum computing technology along with partner, Astex Pharmaceuticals.
Holzmann has a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry from The Philipp University of Marburg and has worked in different areas of computational chemistry from analyses of interactions in small complexes, photoexcitation in anti-cancer drugs to mechanisms in large membrane protein systems, so her expertise will surely help Riverlane alter outcomes for the chemical, pharmaceutical and materials industries to improve algorithms and specify early killer applications of quantum computers.
44. Rojalin Mishra: Senior Hardware Verification Engineer, Riverlane
With expertise in developing and implementing verification strategies, Rojalin Mishra is a Senior Hardware Verification Engineer at Riverlane with some eight years’ experience in verifying complex Systems-on-a-Chip and Integrated Circuits.
Mishra has a BSc in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Berhampur.
45. Divya Shankar: Systems Engineer, SpeQtral
Divya Shankar, an experienced engineer in satellite systems and leading ground station development from five CubeSat projects, is a Systems Engineer at Singapore-based SpeQtral, a startup developing space-based quantum systems for the global delivery of secure encryption keys.
With a demonstrated history as a Space Systems Engineer working around the globe on Small/Micro Satellite projects in India, Russia and the USA, at SpeQtral Shankar is working on transforming the world’s networks for the quantum revolution.
She has an MSc in Space Science and Technology from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Russia.
46. AJ Roeth: Junior Quantum Software Engineer, Zapata Computing
AJ Roeth is a Junior Quantum Software Engineer at Boston startup Zapata Computing. Using her background and experience in both software engineering and physics to work on developing software for quantum computing to build Zapata’s solutions for a wide range of industries including chemistry, logistics, finance, oil and gas, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and materials, she is particularly excited about the potential application of quantum computers to drug discovery.
Roeth graduated from the University of Oklahoma with dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Chinese.
47. Marta Mauri: Quantum Software Engineer, Zapata Computing
A Quantum Software Engineer at Zapata Computing, Marta Mauri’s studies gave her the possibility to deepen her knowledge about Quantum Many-Body Physics, as well as to enter the fascinating world of ML. She is interested in bringing these two aspects together to tackle complicated real-world problems. Like her Zapata co-worker AJ Roeth, Mauri is excited about how leveraging quantum computing for the drug discovery process would actually be helpful for humanity.
With a BSc and MSc in Physics from the Università degli Studi di Milano, her research project focused on the study of quantum spin systems through the computational power of neural networks.
48. Giovanna Gómez Díaz: Quantum Algorithm Researcher, aQuantum
Giovanna Gómez Díaz is a Quantum Algorithm Researcher at Madrid-based aQuantum, a quantum software engineering and development startup where she is working on R&D projects related to quantum algorithms for real-world problems.
Gómez Díaz obtained an M.Sc. in Mathematics with a focus on post-quantum cryptography from the Autonomous University of Madrid.
49. Guenevere Prawiroatmodjo (She/Her): Software Engineer, Microsoft Quantum
A Software Engineer at Microsoft Quantum, Guenevere Prawiroatmodjo is a trained condensed matter physicist and software engineer contributing to the Quantum Development Kit (QDK) at the global giant.
Prior to Microsoft Quantum, Prawiroatmodjo was a Quantum Engineer at Rigetti Computing where they were turning experimental quantum physics into engineering applications by contributing to the company’s full-stack quantum computing architecture, ultimately aiming to empower cloud-deployed quantum computing based on superconducting transmon qubit technology.
They gained their Ph.D. from the Center for Quantum Devices at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, studying electron pair transport and superconductivity in quantum devices at the room-temperature grown LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.
50. Sabrina Hong: Quantum Hardware Engineer, Google
Sabrina Hong is a Quantum Hardware Engineer at yet another corporate giant, Google. Previously, she had stints as a Quantum Engineer at both Rigetti Computing and Atom Computing. At Rigetti, she worked on understanding and improving the performance of single and two-qubit gates in superconducting qubits, as well as developing software for full calibration and fast recalibration of single and two-qubit gates in multi-qubit devices.
Hong has a BA in Astrophysics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
51. Heather Saunders (She/Her): Executive Communications/Quantum SW Engineering Manager, IBM
Currently working as an SW Engineering Manager with IBM Quantum where they oversee a team of backend developers working on code to help users effectively and efficiently run workloads on IBM’s quantum computers through the cloud, Heather Saunders also serves as communications focal for the General Manager of IBM Systems Strategy and Development, which includes writing internal communications and assisting in the development of a communications and engagement strategy for the organization.
Saunders has an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Duke University.
52. Jeongnim (Giulietta) Kim, Principal Engineer, Intel Corporation
A Principal Engineer at Intel Corporation, Jeongnim (Giulietta) Kim has experience in HPC ecosystem development, research in condensed matter theory, materials science, chemistry, the development of algorithms and HPC applications for research.
She has a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Theory from The Ohio State University.
And let’s not forget a special mention to these amazing women:
Elisabetta Valiante: Computational Physicist, 1QBit
Elizabeth Bennewitz: Researcher, 1QBit
Ying-Ju Wang: Lead Physicist at ColdQuanta
Ulrike Bornheimer: Physicist, Entropica Labs
Kristine Boone (She/Her): Business Development of Quantum Engineering Quantum Benchmark Inc.(now Keysight Technologies)
Sharen Samuel — Blank: Chip Design Engineer/Logic Design Engineer, Quantum Machines
Laura Gatti, Innovation and Development Manager/Computing Telecom Engineer, Quantum South
Annalisa Brodu: Research and Application Engineer, Single Quantum
Anne Marin: Quantum Engineer, VeriQloud
Sukin (Hannah) Sim: Quantum Research Scientist, Zapata Computing
Yifei Chen: Quantum Engineer, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech
Ana Palacios: Quantum Engineer, Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech
Tina Sebastian: Co-founder and Technology Lead, Quacoon
Katrina Sliwa: Quantum Measurement Scientist, Quantum Circuits
Iu-Wei: Software Engineer, Quantum Circuits
Sharen Blank: Chip Design Engineer, Quantum Machines
Tamar Ben Haim Sembira: Verification Engineer, Quantum Machines
Monique Gevers: Development Engineer, Single Quantum
Huai Ying Lim: Mechanical Engineer, SpeQtral
Have we missed any out or got something wrong? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
The Quantum Insider (TQI)
Just in case this list hasn’t satisfied your cravings for data on women in technical roles in the quantum space, you can pop on over to The Quantum Insider (TQI), TQD’s very own data platform. Here you can find deep and insightful information on all aspects of the QIS industry.
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Deep Tech Insider (DTI)
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