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The Department of Physics at ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ is excited to celebrate its students' achievements as they graduate and move on to the next step of their careers. For recently graduated graduate student Jenny Jiahui Wu, who also participated in CU’s PREP program with NIST, her time at ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ has been one of cutting-edge research and discovery.

Wu’s passion for physics began during high school in Canada, where she excelled in math and science. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by her AP Physics teacher, she discovered that her strengths and interests were better suited to pure physics than engineering. This realization led her to pursue a physics degree at the University of Toronto, where she fell in love with the predictive power of physics equations and their real-world applications.

Joining ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ: A Hub for Quantum Research

Wu’s path to ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ was shaped by her undergraduate ion-trapping research at the University of Toronto. Her advisors highlighted ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ’s reputation as a global hub for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics and its collaboration with the prestigious NIST Ion Storage Group. Intrigued by the research possibilities, Wu joined ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ to pursue her PhD.

While there, Wu worked with the NIST Ion Storage Group through ����������ý�Ļ���Ʒ’s PREP program, focusing on experiments in quantum control and quantum information.

“I was drawn to CU not just for its reputation in ion trapping but also for the wealth of opportunities in AMO physics,” she explains. “It was the perfect fit for my research interests.”

Her research contributed to advancing quantum information and quantum control techniques, areas crucial for the future of quantum technologies. Wu credits the supportive environment at CU and NIST for providing her with the tools and mentorship to excel in her field.

For Wu, completing her PhD felt like “the end of a good movie.” Reflecting on her time, she described it as a fulfilling chapter of her life.

“I’m happy with what I accomplished and where it ended,” she shares. “Of course, there’s always more research to be done, but I felt it was the right time to move on.”

Looking Ahead: A Career at Quantinuum

After graduating, Wu joined Quantinuum, a leading quantum computing company specializing in ion-trap-based quantum technologies. Given her extensive background in ion trapping and quantum research, this transition was a natural fit. At Quantinuum, Wu hopes to develop her skills further and contribute to the company’s mission of creating commercial quantum computing solutions.

“It’s amazing to see quantum computers reaching the point where they can be offered commercially,” Wu says. “I’m excited to be part of this journey and to help build extremely advanced quantum computers for the future.”