Dr Sophie Zhao of The Australian National University has been named the 2027 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer and will take her research to audiences around Australia as part of next year’s Marie Curie Lecture Series.

For research enabling quantum technologies using correlated light. Sophie has pioneered many novel approaches to advance continuous variable optical quantum technology.

Sophie’s research has delivered several breakthroughs in quantum optics, including a quantum teleporter with record-high fidelity, a noiseless linear amplifier with the highest-reported amplification gain, and the first quantum cloner to surpass the no-cloning limit.

Her contributions have seen her named a Rising Star of Light by Nature Light: Science & Applications, an international campaign recognising talented young scientists in optics-related fields.

Alongside her research, Sophie is committed to communicating quantum science to wider audiences. Her work has attracted mainstream science and media coverage, while she has mentored students from undergraduate through to PhD level. In 2024, she was recognised as ANU HDR Supervisor of the Month.

Her expertise in quantum optics has also contributed to commercial applications, including ANU-UQ spin-out CatQ, which is developing technology to address errors in quantum computing.

As the 2027 Women in Physics Lecturer, Sophie will share her research with communities around Australia through the AIP’s national Marie Curie Lecture Series.

Sophie is one of 11 members recognised with 2026 AIP Awards for outstanding accomplishments in research, leadership, education and communication. Read more about the 2026 AIP Award recipients.

The 2026 AIP Awards will be presented at AIP Congress 2026 in Sydney this December.