TQT Transformative Quantum Technologies logo
Login
  • En
  • Fr
Get Connected
TQT Transformative Quantum Technologies logo
Login
Get Connected

"Find People, Projects, etc."

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
job
publications
equipment
media
research
projects
people
events
labs
Filter by Categories
Committee
Leadership
Science
Staff
  • Home
  • Research
  • Opportunities
  • Events
  • About
  • Get Connected
  • Institute for Quantum Computing

    Madelaine Liddy earns highest academic status on her TQT-supported research

    Go Back Back

    More Topics

    magnetic field nitrogen vacancy

    Madelaine Liddy earns highest academic status on her TQT-supported research

    Wednesday, June 1, 2022

     

    Madelaine Liddy’s (BASc ’14, PhD ’22) originally planned to go to medical school changed after completing her undergraduate studies in Nanotechnology Engineering at Waterloo. However, Liddy’s curiosity in quantum mechanics led her to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, where the program also allowed her to continue her interest in medicine through her research on how to improve quantum sensing techniques to create better medical diagnostic devices.

    Liddy’s dissertation research focused on nitrogen vacancy centers which are quantum centers in a diamond lattice. When working with a quantum center at room temperature, it removes the need for any cryogenic cooling hardware that is commonly required for quantum mediums.

    “This combined with its magnetic field sensing properties, makes it a great candidate for developing real world quantum sensing devices,” Liddy says. “These devices can be used for anything from sensing defects in blood or water, imaging nano sized magnetic fields or even for navigational purposes as an alternative to GPS.”

    What advice would Liddy give to other PhD students? Never be afraid to ask for help.

    “I really struggled with feelings of isolation and thinking I was the only one experiencing these challenges when that is so far from the truth,” Liddy says. “Opening up about these feelings was the key to finishing my degree!”

    Some of Liddy’s fondest memories were made during the friendships she developed over the years, as well as being awarded the Dutch Liberation Scholarship, which led her to meet the King and Queen of the Netherlands.

    Leaving Waterloo, Liddy says she will miss the people the most and the friendships she developed over the past 13 years. But says she won’t miss being chased by geese while riding her bike.

    “I developed so many deep friendships at Waterloo, both over my time in my undergrad and graduate school,” Liddy says. “The subject matter and research I studied was also amazing, but I wouldn’t necessarily say I would miss either of those as I will carry them with me no matter where I go.”

    Next for Liddy is a quantum resident position at Sandbox AQ in California starting in August 2022.

    By

    University of Waterloo

    Date

    2022-06-01
    More Info

    University of Waterloo News

    Share

    • Share on Twitter
    • Share on Facebook
    • Share on LinkedIn

    Connect with Us

    Join us at the frontier of quantum technology development. Request a visit, explore opportunities, and stay informed.

    Get Connected
    TQT Logo
    First Canada Logo
    • twitter icon
    • facebook icon
    • youtube icon
    • Home
    • Research
    • Opportunities
    • Events
    • About
    • Get Connected
    • Institute for Quantum Computing
    TQT Logo
    • Home
    • Research
    • Opportunities
    • Events
    • About
    • Get Connected
    • Institute for Quantum Computing
    • twitter icon
    • facebook icon
    • youtube icon
    First Canada Logo
    TQT Logo
    • twitter icon
    • facebook icon
    • youtube icon
    • Research
    • Overview
    • Updates
    • Projects
    • Publications
    • Labs
    • Quantum Innovation Cycle
    • Opportunities
    • Overview
    • Quantum for Health Design Challenge
    • Quantum Seed
    • Technology Development
    • Open Positions
    • Events
    • All Events
    • About
    • Overview
    • People
    • Media
    • Contact
    First Canada Logo