I am an experimental physicist with a deep fascination for the theoretical foundations of physics. My research career has taken me across diverse scientific landscapes, providing invaluable experience with various experimental techniques and theoretical frameworks that continue to shape my approach to understanding the quantum world.
My academic foundation was built at the University of Cambridge, where I completed both my M.Sc. and PhD in Physics as a Gates Cambridge and Nehru-Chevening scholar respectively. My doctoral research focused on experimental and theoretical studies of the a.c. Josephson effect in high-temperature superconductivity, combining device fabrication in clean room environments with precision cryogenic measurements. This work established my expertise in both the practical and conceptual aspects of quantum phenomena.
Following my PhD, I embarked on postdoctoral research at the Cavendish Laboratories, Cambridge, where I explored the fascinating world of soft condensed matter through a paper-industry funded project. I then moved to the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where I conducted precision tests of quantum mechanics, including a particularly interesting triple-slit experiment that served as a rigorous test of the Born Rule for quantum probabilities.
For over fifteen years, my research has been centered on quantum optics experiments designed to probe the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics while advancing practical applications in quantum information processing, quantum computing, and secure quantum communications.
I currently serve as a Senior Professor at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bangalore, India, where I head the Quantum Information and Computing lab (QuIC), part of the Light and Matter Physics group. Our laboratory is uniquely equipped as both an advanced optics facility and a class 10,000 clean room, enabling precise environmental control over temperature, humidity, and particulate matter—essential conditions for our high-precision quantum experiments.
Additionally, I hold a Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of Calgary and maintain associate faculty positions at both the Institute for Quantum Computing and the Perimeter Institute in Canada.
Beyond academic research, I am deeply committed to translating quantum science into real-world applications. I am the co-founder of QuSyn Technologies, a deep tech quantum startup, and have been instrumental in India's National Quantum Mission (NQM) since its inception. Initially serving on the core DPR committee, I now lead the Technology group developing multi-node quantum repeater networks for entanglement-based quantum communication as part of the Quantum Communications hub. I also serve as the NQM nodal point at the Open Quantum Institute in Geneva and sit on its advisory board.
My work has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Homi Bhabha Fellowship (2017), ICTP-ICO Gallieno Denardo Award (2018), and selection among Asia's Top 100 scientists (2019). I held the Simon's Emmy Noether Fellowship at the Perimeter Institute (2020-2023) and led the winning team at the 2020 BRICS Future Skills Challenge in Quantum Technology.
Recent honors include the ASSOCHAM Women in Cyber award (2021), SIES Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence award (2023), a Distinguished International Associate award from the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK (2024), the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Yuva Shanthi Swarup Bhatnagar award from the Indian government (2024), the Gates Cambridge Impact Prize (2025), and the Lakshmipat Singhania IIM Lucknow National Eminence Award in Science and Technology (2025).
My approach to physics is driven by curiosity about the fundamental nature of reality and the desire to harness quantum phenomena for useful technologies. The diversity of my research experience—from superconductivity to soft matter to quantum optics—has taught me that valuable insights often emerge at the intersections of different fields.
For detailed information about our current research projects and laboratory activities, please visit our dedicated lab website: https://www.rri.res.in/quic/