Michelle Lollie is an advanced laser scientist at Quantinuum, supporting the design, development and construction of complex optical systems that will serve as the foundations of world-class quantum computers. Lollie also participates in various diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives, advocating for those who are marginalized in STEM fields, particularly in physics. Outside of wrangling photons, you can often find her at home practicing the violin.

Your initial bachelor’s degree was in finance, and you went on to work in the field through your 20s before pivoting to physics – what made you take the leap to make this change, and what inspired you to pick physics for your second bachelor’s degree?

I had dreams of working in finance since high school – indeed, at the time I was on my way to being the most dedicated, most fashionable, and most successful investment banker on Wall Street. I would like to think that, in some other quantum universe, there’s still a Michelle Lollie – investment banker extraordinaire.

So my interest in physics wasn’t sparked until much later in life, when I was 28 years old – I was no longer excited by a career in finance, and was looking for a professional pivot. I came across a groundbreaking theory paper about the quantum teleportation of states. I honestly thought that it referred to “Beam me up, Scotty” from Star Trek, and
I was amazed.

But all jokes aside, quantum physics holds many a mystery that we’re still exploring. As a field, it’s quite new – there are approximately 100 years of dedicated quantum study and discovery, compared to millennia of classical physics. Perusing the paper and understanding about 2% of it, I just decided that this is what I would study. I wanted to learn about this “entanglement” business – a key concept of quantum physics. The rest is history.

Can you tell me a bit about your PhD pathway? You were a part of the APS Bridge Program at Indiana University – how did the programme help you?

After deciding to pursue a physics degree, I had to pick an academic institution to get said degree. What was news to me was that, for second baccalaureate degrees, funding at a public university was hard to come by. I was looking for universities with a strong optics programme, having decided that quantum optics was for me.

I learned about the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, in Terre Haute, Indiana by searching for optical engineering programmes. What I didn’t know was that, in terms of producing top engineers, you’d be hard pressed to find a finer institution. The same can be said for their pure science disciplines, although those disciplines aren’t usually ranked. I reached out to inquire about enrolment, was invited to visit and fell in love with the campus. I was funded and my physics journey began.

Prior to graduation, I was struggling with most of my grad-school applications being denied. I wasn’t the most solid student at Rose (it’s a rigorous place), but I wasn’t a poorly performing student, either. Enter the APS Bridge Program, which focuses on students who, for whatever reason, were having challenges applying to grad school. The programme funded two years of education, wherein the student could have more exposure to coursework (which was just what I needed) or have more opportunity for research, after which they could achieve a master’s degree and continue to a PhD.

I was accepted at a bridge programme site at Indiana University Bloomington. The additional two years allowed for a repeat of key undergraduate courses in the first year, with the second year filled with grad courses. I continued on and obtained my master’s degree. I decided to leave IU to collaborate with a professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) who I had always wanted to work with and had done prior research with. So I transferred to LSU and obtained my PhD, focusing on high-dimensional orbital angular momentum states of light for fibre-based quantum cryptography and communication protocols. Without the Bridge Program, it’s likely that you might not be reading this article.

You then went on to Louisiana State University where, in 2022, you were the first African American woman to complete a PhD in physics – what was that like?

It’s funny, but at the time, no-one was really talking about this. I think, for the individual who has to face various challenges due to race, sexual orientation and preference, gender, immigration status and the like, you just try to take your classes and do your research. But, just by your existence and certain aspects that may come along with that, you are often faced with a decision to advocate for yourself in a space that historically was not curated with you or your value in mind.

So while no-one was going up and down the halls saying “Hey, look at us, we have five Black students in our department!”, most departments would bend over backwards for those diversity numbers. Note that five Black students in a department of well over 100 is nothing to write home about. It should be an order of magnitude higher, with 20–30 Black students at least. This is the sad state of affairs across physics and other sciences: people get excited about one Black student and think that they’re doing something great. But, once I brought this fact to the attention of those in the front office and my adviser, a bit of talk started. Consequently, and fortuitously, the president of the university happened to visit our lab the fall before my graduation. Someone at that event noticed me, a Black woman in the physics department, and reached out to have me participate in several high-profile opportunities within the LSU community. This sparked more interest in my identity as a Black woman in the field; and it turned out that I was the first Black woman who would be getting a PhD from the department, in 2022. I am happy to report that three more Black women have earned degrees (one master’s in medical physics, and two PhDs in physics) since then.

My family and I were featured on LSU socials for the historic milestone, especially thanks to Mimi LaValle, who is the media relations guru for the LSU Physics and Astronomy department. They even shared my grandmother’s experience as a  Black woman growing up in the US during the 1930s, and the juxtaposition of her opportunities versus mine were highlighted. It was a great moment and I’m glad that LSU not only acknowledged this story, but they emphasized and amplified it. I will always be grateful that I was able to hand my doctoral degree to my grandmother at graduation. She passed away in August 2024, but was always proud of my achievements. I was just as proud of her, for her determination to survive. Different times indeed. 

What are some barriers and challenges you have faced through your education and career, if any?

The barriers have mostly been structural, embedded within the culture and fabric of physics. But this has made my dedication to be successful in the field a more unique and customized experience that only those who can relate to my identity will understand. There is a concerted effort to say that science doesn’t see colour, gender, etc., and so these societal aspects shouldn’t affect change within the field. I’d argue that human beings do science, so it is a decidedly “social” science, which is impacted significantly by culture – past and present. In fact, if we had more actual social scientists doing research on effecting change in the field for us physical scientists, the negative aspects of working in the field – as told by those who have lived experience – would be mitigated and true scientific broadening could be achieved.

What were the pitfalls, or stresses, of following this career random walk?

Other than the internal work of recognizing that, on a daily basis, I have to make space for myself in a field that’s not used to me, there hasn’t been anything of the sort. I have definitely had to advocate for myself and my presence within the field. But I love what I do and that I get to explore the mysteries of quantum physics. So, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. The more space that I create, others can come in and feel just fine.

I want things to be as comfortable as possible for future generations of Black scientists. I am a Black woman, so I will always advocate for Black people within the space. This is unique to the history of the African Diaspora. I often advocate for those with cross-marginalized identities not within my culture, but no-one else has as much incentive to root for Black people but Black people. I urge everyone to do the same in highlighting those in their respective cultures and identities. If not you, then who?

What were the next steps for you after your PhD – how did you decide between staying in academia or pursuing a role in industry?

I always knew I was going to industry. I was actually surprised to learn that many physics graduates plan to go into academia. I started interviewing shortly before graduation, I knew what companies I had on my radar. I applied to them, received several offers, and decided on Quantinuum.

You are now an advanced laser scientist with Quantinuum – what does that involve, and what’s a “day in the life” like for you now?

Nowadays, I can be found either doing CAD models of beamlines, or in the lab building said beamlines. This involves a lot of lasers, alignment, testing and validation. It’s so cool to see an optical system that you’ve designed come to life on an optical table. Its even more satisfying when it is integrated within a full ion-trap system, and it works.  I love practical work in the lab – when I have been designing a system for too long, I often say “Okay, I’ve been in front of this screen long enough. Time to go get the goggles and get the hands dirty.”

What do you know today, that you wish you knew when you were starting your career?

Had I known what I would have had to go through, I might not have ever done it. So, the ignorance of my path was actually a plus. I had no idea what this road entailed so, although the journey was a course in who-is-Michelle-going-to-be-101, I would wish for the “ignorance is bliss” state – on any new endeavour, even now. It’s in the unknowing that we learn who we are.

Be direct and succinct, and leave no room for speculation about what you are saying

What’s your advice for today’s students hoping to pursue a career in the quantum sector?

I always highlight what I’ve learned from Garfield Warren, a physics professor at Indiana University, and one of my mentors. He always emphasized learning skills beyond science that you’ll need to be successful. Those who work in physics often lack direct communication skills, and there can be a lot of miscommunication. Be direct and succinct, and leave no room for speculation about what you are saying. This skill is key.

Also, learn the specific tools of your trade. If you’re in optics, for example, learn the ins and outs of how lasers work. If you have opportunities to build laser set-ups, do so. Learn what the knobs do. Determine what it takes for you to be confident that the readout data is what you want. You should understand each and every component that relates to work that you are doing. Learn all that you can for each project that you work on. Employers know that they will need to train you on company-specific tasks, but technical acumen is assumed to a point. Whatever the skills are for your area, the more that you understand the minutiae, the better.

• First published in APS Careers 2025

The post From banking to quantum optics: Michelle Lollie’s unique journey appeared first on Physics World.

In June 1925 a relatively unknown physics postdoc by the name of Werner Heisenberg developed the basic mathematical framework that would be the basis for the first quantum revolution. Heisenberg, who would later win the Nobel Prize for Physics, famously came up with quantum mechanics on a two-week vacation on the tiny island of Helgoland off the coast of Germany, where he had gone to cure a bad bout of hay fever.

Now, a century later, we are on the cusp of a second quantum revolution, with quantum science and technologies growing rapidly across the globe. According to the State of Quantum 2024 report, a total of 33 countries around the world currently have government initiatives in quantum technology, of which more than 20 have national strategies with large-scale funding. The report estimates that up to $50bn in public cash has already been committed.

It’s a fitting tribute, then, that the United Nations (UN) has chosen 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). They hope that the year will raise global awareness of the impact that quantum physics and its applications have already had on our world. The UN also aims to highlight to the global public the myriad potential future applications of quantum technologies and how they could help tackle universal issues – from climate and clean energy to health and infrastructure – while also addressing the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The Institute of Physics (IOP), which publishes Physics World, is one of the IYQ’s six “founding partners” alongside the German (DPG) and American physical societies (APS), SPIE, Optica and the Chinese Optical Society. “The UNESCO International Year of Quantum is a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about quantum research and technology and the transformational opportunities it is opening up” says Tom Grinyer, chief executive of the IOP. “The Institute of Physics is co-ordinating the UK and Irish elements of the year, which mark the 100th anniversary of the first formulation of quantum mechanics, and we are keen to celebrate the milestone, making sure that as many people as possible get the opportunity to find out more about this fascinating area of science and technology,” he adds.

“IYQ provides the opportunity for societies and organizations around the world to come together in marking both the 100-year history of the field, as well as the longer-term real-world impact that quantum science is certain to have for decades to come,” says Tim Smith, head of portfolio development at IOP Publishing. “Quantum science and technology represents one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of science today, encompassing the global physical-sciences community in a way that connects scientific wonder with fundamental research, technological innovation, industry, and funding programmes worldwide.”

Taking shape

The official opening ceremony for IYQ takes place on 4–5 February at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, although several countries, including Germany and India, held their own launches in advance of the main event. Working together, the IOP and IOP Publishing have developed a wide array of quantum resources, talks, conferences, festivals and public-themed events planned as a part of the UK’s celebrations for IYQ. 

In late February, meanwhile, the Royal Society – the world’s oldest continuously active learned society – will host a two-day quantum conference. Dubbed “Quantum Information”, it will bring together scientists, industry leaders and public-sector stakeholders to discuss the current challenges involved in quantum computing, networks and sensing systems.

In Scotland, the annual Edinburgh Science Festival , which takes place in April, will likely include a special “quantum explorers” exhibit and workshop by the UK’s newly launched National Quantum Computing Centre. Elsewhere, the Quantum Software Lab at the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh is hosting a month-long “Quantum Fringe 2025” event across Scotland. It will include a quantum machine-learning school on the Isle of Skye and well as the annual UK Quantum Hackathon, which brings together teams of aspiring coders with industry mentors to tackle practical challenges and develop solutions using quantum computing.

In June, the Institution of Engineering and Technology is hosting a Quantum Engineering and Technologies conference, as part of its newly launched Quantum technologies and 6G and Future Networks events. The event’s themes include everything from information processing and memories to photon sources and cryptography.

The IOP will use the focus this year gives us to continue to make the case for the investment in research and development, and support for physics skills, which will be crucial if we are to fully unlock the economic and social potential of the quantum sector

Further IYQ-themed events will take place at  QuAMP, the IOP’s biennial international conference on quantum, atomic and molecular physics in September. Activities culminate in a three-part celebration in November, with a quantum community event led by the IOP’s History of Physics and quantum Business and Innovation Growth (qBIG) special interest groups, a schools event at the Royal Institution, and a public celebration with a keynote speech from University of Surrey quantum physicist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili. “The UK and Ireland already have a globally important position in many areas of quantum research, with the UK, for instance, having established one of the world’s first National Quantum Technology Programmes,” explains Grinyer. “We will also be using the focus this year gives us to continue to make the case for the investment in research and development, and support for physics skills, which will be crucial if we are to fully unlock the economic and social potential of what is both a fascinating area of research, and a fast growing physics-powered business sector,” he adds.

Quantum careers

With the booming quantum marketplace, it’s no surprise that employers are on the hunt for many skilled physicists to join the workforce. And indeed, there is a significant scarcity of skilled quantum professionals for the many roles across industry and academia. Also, with quantum research advancing everything from software and machine learning to materials science and drug discovery, your skills will be transferable across the board.

If you plan to join the quantum workforce, then choosing the right PhD programme, having the right skills for a specific role and managing risk and reward in the emerging quantum industry are all crucial. There are a number of careers events on the IYQ calendar, to learn more about the many career prospects for physicists in the sector. In April, for example, the University of Bristol’s Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training is hosting a Careers in Quantum event, while the Economist magazine is hosting its annual Commercialising Quantum conference in May.

There will also be a special quantum careers panel discussion, including top speakers from the UK and the US, as part of our newly launched Physics World Live panel discussions in April. This year’s Physics World Careers 2025 guide has a special quantum focus, and there’ll also be a bumper, quantum-themed issue of the Physics World Briefing in June. The Physics World quantum channel will be regularly updated throughout the year so you don’t miss a thing.

Read all about it

IOP Publishing’s journals will include specially curated content – from a series of Perspectives articles – personal viewpoints from leading quantum scientists – in Quantum Science and Technology. The journal will also be publishing roadmaps in quantum computing, sensing and communication, as well as focus issues on topics such as quantum machine learning and technologies for quantum gravity and thermodynamics in quantum coherent platforms.

“Going right to the core of IOP Publishing’s own historic coverage we’re excited to be celebrating the IYQ through a year-long programme of articles in Physics World and across our journals, that will hopefully show a wide audience just why everyone should care about quantum science and the people behind it,” says Smith.

Of course, we at Physics World have a Schrödinger’s box full of fascinating quantum articles for the coming year – from historical features to the latest cutting-edge developments in quantum tech. So keep your eyes peeled.

The post Explore the quantum frontier: all about the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 appeared first on Physics World.