How did your time at the university shape your career aspirations?

While I was pursuing an undergraduate engineering science degree, I had to take many physics courses. I found physics incredibly interesting, particularly quantum mechanics, largely thanks to Professor Sipe’s third-year Quantum Mechanics course. This ultimately led to me pursuing a Ph.D. in theoretical quantum optics with him. At the time, the so-called second quantum revolution, where the rules of quantum mechanics are not simply understood but also used to develop new technologies, was underway and I wanted to be a part of it.

What career path did you pursue after graduating from U of T?

The job that I have now didn’t exist during my Ph.D.! Immediately after graduating, I took a postdoc in Australia where I joined the Centre for Ultrahigh-bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS) and got to work with some of the best nonlinear quantum photonics researchers in the world. Then, around the time I was looking to move back to Canada, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that a Canadian company was attempting to build a photonic quantum computer in Toronto. I jumped at the opportunity to apply to work at Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc, where I’ve now been for 7 years working as both a quantum photonics theorist and software developer.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time at the university?

Many of my fondest memories revolve around Hart House, where I attended plays, Jazz at Oscar’s, and exercised to get out of my head and feel more in the moment. I am also very thankful for the friendships I made with fellow graduate students and postdocs.

What challenges did you face as you transitioned from university to the professional world? How did you overcome those challenges, and what did you learn from them?

I think one of the biggest adjustments in moving from graduate school to the professional world is that I no longer write software just for myself and just to work well enough to get a result. Large collaborative projects involve writing software that is easy for many people to use and understand for a long time, including my future self. The thinking skills, focus, organization, and determination developed during graduate school have proved valuable in learning additional software skills on the job.

What advice would you give to current students who are studying in your field? Are there specific skills or experiences you recommend they focus on to enhance their future prospects?

I would say that nearly anything studied outside of physics is also likely to be useful. If you know e.g. physics and Python, physics and patent law, or physics and marketing, you will be more attractive to potential employers. Identifying such transferable skills and how to sell them is well worthwhile. Additionally, it never hurts to expand your network, as often knowing the right person, in the right place, at the right time can give you an edge.

Have you been involved with the university since graduation, such as through alumni associations or mentorship programs?

I have been a mentor to physics undergraduate students for the past 4 years and was also a panel member at a career event for physics undergraduates. It is a fun and rewarding way to give back to a department that has given me so much.

Looking back, what do you consider to be the most valuable aspect of your university experience?

Completing a PhD at the University of Toronto gave me the technical skills, self-motivation, and confidence to succeed at a deep tech startup like Xanadu.