Quantum Society: Head of Research

I've been sitting at an unusual intersection for a while now, and I think that intersection is exactly what this role needs.

On one side, I'm a Physics student who takes quantum science seriously — thinking carefully about what good research looks like and how it gets done. On the other, I spend time at a quantum VC fund, where the conversation is less about the physics and more about what it means for the world. That gap — between the lab and the market, between the formalism and the stakes — is where I live, and it's where I think the society's research output should operate more deliberately.

My ambition for this role is fairly specific: I want the research we produce to have a point of view. Not neutrally summarising papers, but asking harder questions — what does this result actually change? Who funds this line of inquiry, and why? Where is the field quietly stalling? I come from a Science and Technology Studies background alongside Physics, and that shapes how I read quantum science: never just as technical progress, but as something embedded in institutions, incentives, and assumptions worth interrogating.

I think the society is well-placed to model that kind of intellectual seriousness. I'd like to help build it.

My journey into quantum computing began in the summer of 2023, when I completed the Introduction to Quantum Mechanics programme led by MIT Emeritus Professor of Physics Nihat Berber, where I achieved Outstanding Success. This experience sparked my interest in the computational implications of quantum theory and motivated me to further explore how quantum mechanical principles can redefine modern information processing systems. Since then, I have pursued this interest through my MEng Computer Science degree at UCL, taking modules such as Quantum Computation, Computability & Complexity, and Theory of Computation, which have strengthened my understanding of quantum algorithms and their relationship to classical computational limits. I further developed this focus in my literature survey on Hybrid Information Security for the Quantum Era, where I analysed the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) to address threats posed by cryptographically relevant quantum computers. Combined with strong programming experience in Python and Java, as well as leadership roles within UCL, I am well-prepared to lead research initiatives and contribute to technically grounded discussions on quantum computing within the Society.

I’d love to put myself forward for Head of Research! I’m really passionate about making physics feel more accessible and less intimidating, especially quantum, which has a reputation for being mysterious and discombobulating. Some of my favourite moments in physics have been when something finally clicks, and I’d love the newspaper to help create those moments not only for the STEM students of UCL but for students from any discipline! Physics shouldn’t be gatekept and I believe the wonder and fascination it sparks in me should be shared with any who are interested! I have enjoyed many of the events held by the society this year and would love to continue the great work that the previous committee has done! Overall, I just care a lot about making physics feel welcoming rather than overwhelming, and I’d love to help shape the society into something that reflects that energy :)