Women in Quantum

In today’s episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Alicia Weldon, a theoretical chemist whose career weaves through quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and complex systems. Elise Weldon takes us from her childhood in rural New Jersey to her pivotal academic and industry experiences, sharing how curiosity and a flexible approach have shaped her path. Together, they explore the inte...

In this episode, we’re joined by Karuna Anna, a computational chemist and machine learning scientist whose journey stretches from a small village in Kerala, India to cutting-edge research labs in the United States. Karuna shares her early curiosity about science, the challenges and opportunities she faced navigating multicultural academic environments, and her innovative work in computational chem...

Welcome to another episode of WIQC, where we dive into the journeys and insights of women leading the way in quantum technology. In today’s conversation, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Rachel Noek, a technical program manager in quantum computing whose career has taken her from rural New Mexico to the forefront of cutting-edge research and engineering. Together, they explore Rachel’s earl...

In this episode of WIQC, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with quantum computing researcher Sahar Ben Rashid for a deep dive into the human side of the quantum future. From her childhood fascination with astronomy in Tunisia, nurtured by supportive parents and a thriving culture of scientific curiosity, to pursuing advanced research in Germany, Spain, and now Toronto, Sahar Ben Rashid shares her...

In this episode, Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Harshitta Gandhi, a researcher at the intersection of quantum computing and quantum machine learning. Together, they explore Harshitta Gandhi's journey from her childhood in Delhi—where her passions lay more with theater, singing, and athletics than science—to pursuing a PhD focused on physics-based quantum machine learning at the University of C...

In today’s episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Bruna Shinohara de Mendonça, staff scientist in Quantum at CMC Microsystems, to discuss her journey from a humanities-focused upbringing in São Paulo, Brazil to the cutting edge of quantum research. Bruna shares how curiosity and resilience guided her from initial uncertainty in science to mastering quantum mechanics and overcoming setbac...

Episode Introduction On this episode of Women in Quantum, we sit down with Noel Ibrahim, an independent consultant whose journey into quantum computing began with a fascination for fractals at high school parties and blossomed into a passion for physics, mathematics, and pushing boundaries as a woman in tech. Raised in Canada by a family that blended immigrant determination with deep local roots,...

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Sahar Hejazi, a pioneering quantum physicist, founder, and global advocate for deep tech innovation. Speaker A sits down with Speaker B to explore how a passion for science and resilience guided her from segregated schools in Iran to leading research in the UK, Japan, and Sweden—breaking barriers in both academia and industry along the way. T...

In today’s episode, we dive into the journey of Marie-Eve Boulanger, government relations manager at Nord Quantique—a company at the forefront of building Canada’s quantum computing future. Marie Eve shares her path from a science-inspired childhood in Quebec, fueled by support from her scientist mother, to pivotal international experiences and academic pursuits that shaped her passion for quantum...

In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Petra Soderling—an accomplished leader whose journey from the arts and business to dual roles in the US and EU quantum landscapes is as winding as it is inspiring. From her early days in Finland with no interest in science to navigating the corporate world at Nokia, launching startups across the US, and ultimately advising governments on qua...

In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Sierra Clouse, managing partner at Barlow Ventures Studios, for a candid and insightful conversation about her journey from growing up in Colorado to leading pivotal ventures in quantum technology. Together, they explore Sierra Claus's early fascination with how things work, her career pivots through logistics, technology, and entrepreneursh...

In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Jennifer Pretki—a quantum physicist, AI influencer, speaker, and policymaker with one foot in academia and the other in entrepreneurial tech leadership. Jennifer Pretki opens up about her early fascination with astronomy, her journey from France to collaborative research at Stanford, and the shift from particle physics to becoming a pioneeri...

On this episode of WIQC, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Sara Metwalli, a research associate in quantum computing whose journey spans continents: from her early days in Egypt dreaming of being an engineer, through graduate studies in Japan, to her current role at the University of Edinburgh. Sara Metwalli shares her experience navigating cultural expectations, overcoming imposter syndrome,...

Welcome back to WIQC, the podcast where we shine a light on the women transforming the quantum technology landscape. In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Sabine, Chief Quantum Project Officer at GENCI, to explore her fascinating journey from a curious student in France to a leader at the forefront of quantum computing. You’ll hear about Sabine’s early passions for history, math...

Welcome back to WIQC! In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Devinka Mehra, a software engineer at Microsoft who’s blazing a trail in quantum security. From her roots as a curious, talkative child in Delhi to her journey through engineering, cybersecurity, and a recent master’s in quantum information science, Devinka Mehra opens up about the mix of support, self-discovery, and ri...

Before quantum computing, before titles and credentials, there was a fearless six-year-old. Welcome to Women in Quantum Computing, the podcast where curiosity meets courage, and we explore the many unique journeys that bring women into the world of quantum science and technology. In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley welcomes Anna Beata Kalish Hedegaard, CEO of Quantum Security Defense and Qua...