As we celebrate over 100 years of quantum mechanics, meet the brilliant women at planqc and beyond who are shaping—and accelerating—the future of quantum technology.
2025 marked a century since the birth of modern quantum mechanics, a scientific revolution that reshaped our understanding of nature. Early quantum theory was developed by famous figures like Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, and Erwin Schrödinger. For decades, the field was so dominated by men that it was nicknamed “Knabenphysik” – German for “boys’ physics” – in the 1920s. This male-centric narrative overshadowed many contributions made by women. In reality, women scientists have been involved in quantum physics from the start, even if their stories often went untold.
Consider a few historical examples: In 1919, Dutch physicist Hendrika Johanna van Leeuwen demonstrated that magnetism in solids cannot be explained by classical physics alone, it must be a quantum phenomenon. A few years later, in 1928, Laura Chalk Rowles became one of the first to experimentally confirm a prediction of quantum theory (Schrödinger’s Stark effect calculations) with her PhD research. Pioneers like Lise Meitner (who helped discover nuclear fission) and Maria Goeppert-Mayer (Nobel laureate for the nuclear shell model) eventually earned recognition, but they were rare exceptions.
Many other women in the early 20th century made crucial yet often overlooked contributions to quantum science – including physicists, mathematicians, and chemists who advanced quantum principles while frequently working in the shadows of their male peers.
Quantum science belongs to everyone
Today, the legacy of those long-overlooked women is finally being acknowledged. As we celebrate 100 years of quantum mechanics, it’s clear that quantum science belongs to everyone, not just “the boys.” From early pioneers like Lise Meitner, Marie Curie and Dorothy Hodgkin to modern leaders such as Andrea Ghez, Donna Strickland, Michelle Simmons, Barbara Kraus and Stephanie Wehner, women have continued to break barriers in quantum research and technology. Their contributions range from developing quantum algorithms to advancing quantum error correction and engineering scalable hardware systems. Other notable figures include Debby Jin, Lucy Mensing, Bertha Swirles, Alice Sophie Golsen and Grete Hermann, whose pioneering work helped lay the mathematical and experimental foundations of modern quantum science.
We take that responsibility to heart at planqc. While our founding team was male, our company has since grown into a diverse organization where people of all backgrounds contribute to advancing quantum technology. Women play a key role in this shared effort, from developing algorithms and software to building hardware systems, leading projects, and driving business operations. Their work embodies the collaboration and innovation that define our culture. By sharing the experiences and perspectives of our team, we hope to show how diversity fuels creativity and strengthens our collective mission to shape the future of quantum computing.
Our blog series with insights from women at planqc
In this spirit, planqc is excited to launch a special blog series titled “Women in Quantum.” Over the coming months, we will feature stories and interviews with the talented women across our team who are advancing quantum science and technology in their daily work.
Each post will shine a spotlight on one of our team members. For example, you’ll meet colleagues like Ayse, a quantum software and algorithms engineer, and Verena, our Chief of Staff – just two of the many women driving planqc’s innovation. Through personal reflections and insights, these women will share their journeys in quantum, the challenges they’ve overcome (including what it’s like to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field), and their visions for the future. By amplifying these voices, we hope to inspire more people, especially young women, to learn about quantum science and to see themselves as part of its next 100 years.
Meet the women at planqc
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Meet Valentina Tammaro, Head of People & Culture at planqc
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Meet Athira Krishnan Sreedevi, Quantum Hardware Engineer at planqc
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Meet Ayse Kotil, Team Lead for Gate-Based Quantum Optimization at planqc
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Meet Alice Bellettini, Quantum Algorithms Engineer at planqc
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Meet Ria Jobanputra, Quantum Algorithms Engineer at planqc
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Meet Jennifer Lilieholm, Quantum Hardware Engineer at planqc
This series is part of our contribution to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 (IYQ2025), a global celebration endorsed by the United Nations. As an official IYQ 2025 Startup Level II Partner, planqc is committed to highlighting the diverse people behind quantum innovation.
