Singapore’s Loh Huanqian Named One of UNESCO & L’Oreal Foundation’s “15 Rising Talents” for Her Research on Quantum Simulation of Materials for Energy Needs

(QuantumLAH) Quantum physicist Loh Huanqian was named among “15 Rising Talents” worldwide by the UNESCO and L’Oreal Foundation’s For Women in Science programme. Huanqian is a Principal Investigator at the Centre for Quantum Technologies and President’s Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the National University of Singapore.
The L’Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talents awards are given to “the 15 most promising researchers” among almost 260 scientists previously selected for regional For Women in Science fellowships. Huanqian received the 2018 L’Oréal Singapore For Women In Science National Fellowship for the physical and engineering sciences for her research on quantum simulation.
Since joining CQT as a Principal Investigator in 2017, Huanqian has established an experimental group to create ultracold molecules which can be used like quantum building blocks to simulate and explore material properties. Interviewed for the award, she said: “As a quantum physicist, my dream is to use quantum simulators to guide the search for new materials that could help manage the world’s rising energy needs.”
She told the L’Oreal-UNESCO team that her biggest challenge has been juggling motherhood and being an assistant professor. “Raising two ‘families’ – one at home and one in the laboratory – wasn’t easy,” she said. “It was only possible with the support of my family, colleagues and students, and access to outstanding childcare options.”