A single quantum information theory course unexpectedly redirected Rebecca Radebold from a path in pure mathematics toward a PhD in quantum physics. Originally from the United States, Radebold is now in the third year of her doctoral studies at the University of Sydney with support from a Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) scholarship.

The scholarship provides not only financial assistance, but also connects her to a collaborative network through the SQA’s PhD Experience Program; she describes being “immediately captivated by the elegance and counterintuitive nature of quantum physics” after that initial course. Radebold’s research focuses on quantum error correction, a key challenge in building reliable quantum computers.

Quantum Information Theory Course Initiates PhD Pathway

A master’s level course in quantum information theory fundamentally altered Rebecca Radebold’s academic path, steering her from a focus on pure mathematics toward doctoral research in quantum physics at the University of Sydney. Initially intending to explore the subject as a supplemental study during her time at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, Radebold found herself captivated by the field’s core principles.

She explained that the interdisciplinary nature of quantum computation, requiring expertise in mathematics, computer science, and physics, sealed her decision to pursue a PhD. A scholarship from the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) further solidified Radebold’s trajectory, providing financial assistance and integrating her into a collaborative network within Sydney’s growing quantum technology ecosystem.

This research aims to create protocols that protect quantum information, which is inherently fragile and susceptible to errors due to the unstable nature of the physical systems used to store it. Radebold explains her work by drawing a comparison between classical and quantum information storage; while a toppled water bottle is easily righted, balancing a toothpick vertically, representing a quantum bit, requires indirect measurement techniques to avoid disturbing its delicate state. The SQA scholarship extends beyond funding, offering access to the PhD Experience Program and fostering connections with researchers globally.

Radebold highlights the value of this network, stating, “Sydney might be far away from other major research hubs, but we are well-connected both within Sydney and Australia as well as with groups around the world.” This connectivity has facilitated opportunities such as workshops in London, Kyoto, and Spain, alongside a seven-week research stay at Yale University in the United States, all contributing to new ideas and collaborations. She also served as chair of SQA’s student committee from 2024 to 2026, and has presented at events including the 2025 Quantum Future Talent Careers Fair and Open Day.

“Connecting with so many well-known researchers in the field has provided me with a solid foundation for my research career and enabled me to forge further connections internationally, both at conferences and during research visits,” she adds. Radebold emphasizes that the collaborative environment at the University of Sydney, where she is surrounded by diverse perspectives, has been instrumental in her intellectual growth and the development of her research.

I work on methods to encode information into quantum systems and then algorithmically protect that information without disturbing the quantum states in which the information is stored.

SQA Scholarship Enables Global Quantum Collaboration

This work aims to address a key obstacle to scalable quantum computing: maintaining the stability of quantum states long enough to perform complex calculations. “Instead, we need to shine lights at it from different angles and look at its shadow to infer which direction its tilting in,” she explains, detailing the indirect methods required to assess the state of a quantum system without disturbing it.

Her work focuses on devising efficient ways to perform these measurements and correct errors without collapsing the fragile quantum state. From 2024 to 2026, Radebold further contributed to the SQA community by serving as chair of the student committee, gaining experience in leadership and outreach.

The scholarship’s impact extends beyond the laboratory, facilitating opportunities for international collaboration and professional development. “Doing my PhD at the University of Sydney has been a pleasure; I am surrounded by students, postdocs, and faculty that bring so many different perspectives to the table that I find myself and my ideas constantly being challenged in incredibly creative, insightful, and constructive ways.”