A researcher at the Australian National University (ANU) studying materials that could be used to build quantum computers, Rose Ahlefeldt has been named the ACT’s 2018 Scientist of the Year.
Minister for Community Services and Social Inclusion, Rachel Stephen-Smith, who announced Dr Ahlefeldt’s honour on behalf of the Chief Minister who was unwell, said the growth of the ACT’s tertiary education and research industries had been crucial to the economic success of the Territory in recent years.
“The Government supports these industries through initiatives such as the Scientist of the Year Award, which help attract the smartest minds to Canberra,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
She noted that Dr Ahlefeldt (pictured) joined past recipients, Kai Xun Chan (2017), Ceridwen Fraser (2016) and Colin Jackson (2015), each of whom spent their 12 months as ACT Scientist of the Year inspiring young people to consider science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers and promoting the ACT as a centre of excellence for science and research.
“The ACT is already a leader in the research and development of quantum communications technology and Dr Ahlefeldt’s research is informing the future of quantum computers and, eventually, the quantum internet,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“Dr Ahlefeldt plans to use her time as ACT Scientist of the Year inspiring young people, particularly women, into a career in science.”
Dr Ahlefeldt said her research involved trying to find the right materials to build the quantum memories needed for quantum computers.
“These computers could solve some of the world’s ‘impossible’ problems,” she said.
“The problem is we fundamentally don’t have the materials at the moment that can reach the sort of data storage densities we need for quantum computers, so my work is to study new materials to find out how we’re going to get there.”
