As part of the Oxford Ion Trap Quantum Computing Group, my PhD and EPSRC Doctoral Prize postdoctoral work focused on developing high-fidelity, high-speed quantum gates for trapped-ion qubits and exploring non-linear interactions in their motion. Much of this research was a bit like dealing with a “quantum operator soup”: a collection of mathematical operators describing different physical processes, where the challenge is to pick and combine the right ones. Using techniques such as optical phase control with standing waves and tailored multi-operator interactions, we were able to suppress unwanted terms and engineer new ones, enabling faster and more versatile quantum operations for simulation and computation.
I am now a visitor in the group, continuing to be interested in hybrid qubit–oscillator platforms, quantum control, and quantum simulation. Beyond research, I am passionate about public engagement and have co-organised activities for the International Year of Quantum, including Quantum in a Flash public talks and blog posts sharing behind-the-scenes stories from quantum research.