Month: February 2025

QUBIC is excited to announce the addition of Emma De Costa to the team. Emma has started on her PhD journey in our Brain Theme under the mentorship of Prof. Lezanne Ooi and Prof. Haibo Yu, in collaboration with Prof. Youngchan Kim and Prof. Marco Sacchi, from the University of Surrey. Emma is the recipient of the University of Wollongong / University of Surrey Joint-Dual Degree PhD Scholarship.

Her research focuses on TDP-43, a protein strongly linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Emma aims to investigate how disease and structure-linked mutations affect TDP-43 aggregation kinetics and phase separation behaviour, using novel quantum tools as well as techniques like Brillouin light scattering microscopy.

“Traditional biophysical methods often lack the sensitivity and resolution to capture real-time processes.” says Emma. “By collaborating across QUBIC teams, we’re using quantum sensing techniques, and Brillouin light scattering microscopy to overcome these challenges. This will help us understand how specific mutations affect TDP-43 dysfunction and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.”

Emma’s path to science was unconventional. Initially enrolled in Science Education, she discovered her true passion lay in the science itself, so she switched to a Bachelor of Science, where she completed her Honours year researching Parkinson’s disease.

Emma finds immense reward in the collaborative and communicative aspects of science. She values the supportive community at the University of Wollongong where she’s based. Her colleagues’ humour and dedication make every day in the lab worthwhile.

A strong advocate for diversity in science, Emma encourages young people to pursue their interests regardless of background or challenges. She believes science offers diverse opportunities, from technology and coding to fieldwork and data analytics.

QUBIC is thrilled to have Emma on board, and we look forward to her contributions to neurodegenerative disease research!

On the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, QUBIC proudly celebrated the brilliant women driving innovation in quantum biotechnology. This year’s theme, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” underscores the importance of amplifying women’s contributions and ensuring their voices shape the future of research.

Across our nodes, we organised a variety of events, including morning teas, BBQs, and interactive activities, to celebrate and showcase the achievements of women in science. These events aimed to inspire the next generation of scientists by highlighting the remarkable work of female researchers. It was truly inspiring to hear the many stories of past generations of women scientists and how their journeys and life’s work have significantly contributed to our understanding of the world. Their legacies continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.

Our latest Researcher Spotlight features one of the many incredible scientists in our community, showcasing her groundbreaking work and dedication to advancing quantum biotechnology. This spotlight is a testament to the talented women who are making significant strides in STEM fields.

Researcher Spotlight – Dr Nishta Arora

Dr. Nishta Arora, a researcher at QUBIC, is working on cutting-edge technology that could revolutionise brain imaging. Nishta is developing ultrasensitive optomechanical magnetometers for magnetoencephalography (MEG), a technique for mapping brain activity by measuring the magnetic fields produced by neural activity. Her goal? To create compact, room-temperature sensors that make MEG more accessible, portable, and cost-effective.

Her journey in science began with a childhood fascination with physics and engineering, particularly at the micro and nanoscale. Today, she’s translating that curiosity into groundbreaking applications in biomedical sensing.

What she finds most rewarding about being a scientist?
“The ability to push the boundaries of knowledge and create something entirely new is incredibly exciting. I love the process of problem-solving, working with a team of brilliant scientists, and seeing how fundamental research can translate into technologies with real societal impact.”

Her advice to young women considering a career in science?
“Follow your curiosity, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges! Seek mentors, stay persistent, and remember that setbacks are part of the learning process. Most importantly, believe in yourself.”

Let’s continue to champion diverse voices, break down barriers, and inspire the next generation of women in science. Together, we can create a more inclusive and innovative future.

Photos from the day across our nodes

QUBIC’s inaugural Undergraduate Summer Internship Program culminated in a fantastic series of final presentations on Friday 7 February, where the interns showcased the impressive projects they undertook throughout the four-week program.  

Developed by QUBIC’s Mentoring, Training, and Development Portfolio (MTD), the program offers the next generation of researchers a valuable hands-on experience in quantum biotechnology research. Participants worked alongside experienced academics in the lab on real-world projects with genuine outcomes. 

Alex Wright (left) who is studying a B. Advanced Science / B. Creative Intelligence and Innovation at the University of Technology Sydney focused on the detection and quantification of Amyloid-β biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in plasma, supervised by Chief Investigator A/Prof. Jiajia Zhou. 

“I’ve learned so much this past month, especially about the precision required in lab work”, says Alex. “Observing and conducting new processes with an amazing team has been incredibly rewarding. A key takeaway for me is the importance of perfecting protocols to achieve the best results while minimizing costs. A highlight was preparing LFA strips, which was fascinating after using RAT tests during the COVID pandemic without understanding the underlying process.” 

Laz Ashcroft (left), a B. Biotechnology student from the University of Wollongong, analysed neuronal function using novel quantum tools with Chief Investigator Professor Lezanne Ooi, and Dr Dzung Do-Ha. 

“This internship was a fantastic experience” says Laz. “It has given me a taste of culturing cells, running assays, and analysing results. It boosted my confidence as a scientist, especially with the autonomy to plan and execute experiments. I also enjoyed learning to use GraphPad Prism and improving my presentation skills with feedback from my supervisors. Overall, it was a rewarding and empowering journey.” 

The final presentations were inspiring, emphasising the importance of the program in nurturing the up-and-coming generation of scientists in quantum biotechnology. The interns’ dedication and passion for their projects was evident as they shared their findings and reflected on the skills they had learnt throughout the experience. Each presentation was a testament to their hard work, and highlighted the diverse research being conducted:

• Anthea Sun, UQ – Explored the challenges in public engagement with quantum technology under the guidance of Allison Fish. 

• Alex Wright, UTS – Focused on the detection and quantification of Amyloid-β biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease in plasma, mentored by Jiajia Zhou. 

• Laz Ashcroft, UOW – Analyzed neuronal function using novel quantum tools, with support from Lezanne Ooi and Dzung Do-Ha. 

• Nicholas Fantham, UOW – Conducted molecular dynamics simulations of the secondary structure propensities of the conserved region in TDP-43, supervised by Haibo Yu. 

• Lianne Lay (above), Uni Melb – Developed cheap and flexible quantum measurement platforms for spin relaxation measurements of defect centers in nanodiamond, guided by David Simpson. 

“QUBIC’s inaugural summer internship was an exciting opportunity to engage the next generation of scientists in the rapidly evolving field of quantum biotechnology” said Dr Dzung Do-Ha, program coordinator. “Seeing these bright students explore cutting-edge concepts, develop hands-on skills, and contribute fresh perspectives has been truly inspiring. We are proud to support their growth and look forward to the impact they will make in the future.”

About the Program 

The MTD Portfolio Undergraduate Summer Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for current domestic undergraduate students to engage in hands-on quantum biotechnology research projects. Over the course of four weeks, interns gain exposure to the world-class research being conducted within QUBIC laboratories. Hosted by our Chief Investigators at four of QUBIC’s nodes—University of Melbourne, University of Wollongong, University of Queensland, and University of Technology Sydney—the program provides: 

• Hands-on experience to develop essential research skills 

• Exposure to cutting-edge research at the interface between quantum technology and biotechnology 

• Access to world-class researchers and facilities 

• Networking opportunities with fellow interns and researchers across our nodes 

The program will be offered again in 2026. If you would like to know more, please contact program coordinators, Professor Haibo Yu or Dr Dzung Do-Ha.