Category: Centre News

Hunter Johnson, a PhD student in the Simpson Lab at the University of Melbourne’s School of Physics, appeared on Melbourne’s RRR Einstein A Go-Go Radio Show to share insights into the fascinating world of quantum sensing using lab-grown diamonds.

Hunter’s research focuses on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres – tiny, fluorescent defects in the diamond’s crystal structure – which act as ultra-sensitive nanoscale sensors. When illuminated with green light, these centres fluoresce and allow researchers in the David Simpson’s Quantum Sensing Lab to detect extremely small electric and magnetic fields. Because NV centres flicker on and off in response to voltages and magnetic fields, they offer a powerful, non-invasive way to monitor neural activity and detect magnetic materials in biological systems. Hunter also discusses how lab-grown diamonds are chemically engineered layer by layer, allowing researchers to scale up production and tailor the crystals for specific sensing applications.

“We’re essentially turning diamonds into tiny, high-precision tools for biology,” says Hunter. “It’s a beautiful intersection of physics, materials science, and medicine.”

Quantum sensors based on NV centres are more than just a scientific curiosity, they represent a potential leap forward in how we study and understand the human body. These sensors can detect the electrical signatures from neurons with extreme precision, opening the door to new approaches in brain imaging, drug discovery, and real-time monitoring of biological processes. Unlike traditional technologies, they work at room temperature, are scalable, and can be integrated into compact devices. This makes them ideal for future biomedical tools that are both powerful and practical.

Listen to the full interview here: Programs: Einstein A Go-Go – 6 July 2025, Einstein A Go-Go — Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio

Banner image: A diamond fluroescing. Credit: Quantum Sensing Lab, University of Melbourne.

We’re thrilled to celebrate Farrel Separgo, a PhD student in the Zhou lab at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), for his recent achievements in science communication! Farrel was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the UTS Faculty heats of the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and became a finalist at the Falling Walls Lab in Canberra – an international platform for breakthrough ideas in science and society.

Farrel’s research focuses on nanothermometers, tiny devices that measure temperature at the cellular level. Just as we use thermometers to detect fever, cells too exhibit temperature changes when they’re unwell. Farrel’s work aims to uncover how diseases alter cellular behaviour, offering new insights into diagnosis and treatment. His nanothermometers are not just small, they’re smart, built on principles of quantum mechanics, and designed to probe the hidden thermal signatures of disease.

“Cells are quite like us. Their localised temperature can change significantly when they’re sick,” Farrel explains. “With these nanothermometers, we can uncover hidden mysteries about how diseases affect cells and their behaviour.”

At the Falling Walls Lab, Farrel presented the future potential of the technology not only as a tool for fundamental research but also as a platform for diagnostics and biomedical innovation. While he didn’t advance to the international stage, his presentation at The Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome in Canberra connected cutting-edge quantum research and the broader scientific community.

Farrel’s work is an excellent example of how quantum technologies can transform bioscience and biotech. His nanothermometers embody QUBIC’s mission to develop quantum applications that can revolutionise Australian industries from healthcare to agriculture and energy.

Importantly, Farrel’s success also highlights the critical role of science communication. Presenting complex quantum biomedical research to a general audience is no small feat. Farrel embraced the challenge, focusing on clarity and engagement over jargon and humour.

“It was both challenging and exciting to present my research to people with no background in the field,” he says. “I focused on keeping the audience engaged, ensuring they get more out of the presentation.”

Farrel’s successes are a testament to the power of clarity, curiosity, and courage in research. We’re excited to follow his story and hear more on the advances of this technology in studying diseases and the applications in diagnostic tools.

About The Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Developed by The University of Queensland, 3MT is an academic competition that challenges PhD students to present their research in just three minutes using language appropriate for a non-specialist audience. It’s a celebration of clarity, creativity, and impact in science communication.

About Falling Walls Lab
An international forum for the next generation of innovators, Falling Walls Lab invites students and early-career researchers to pitch their breakthrough ideas in 3-minute presentations. Finalists compete at national labs, with winners advancing to the global stage in Berlin. The competition is inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall and aims to break down barriers in science and society.

Science Communication to Connect and Inspire
Science communication is a catalyst for change. When emerging researchers like Farrel are supported to share their stories, they don’t just explain their work, they connect, inspire, and inform. At QUBIC we’re proud to invest in mentoring, training, and development to upskill the next generation of scientists. Through curated programs and initiatives like the Winter School, Summer School, Themes Workshop, Annual Workshop, and other opportunities, researchers at all career stages are provided with the tools to succeed in sharing their science with the world.

Katoomba, NSW | 5–7 August 2025

QUBIC held its annual Themes Workshop in the scenic Blue Mountains town of Katoomba, bringing together over 60 researchers from across our nodes for three days of scientific exchange, skill-building, and strategic collaboration. In the International Year of Quantum, we continue to explore what it means to apply quantum technologies to real-world biological problems.

This year’s workshop integrated QUBIC’s research themes – Molecules, Cells, and Brain – into a single, unified program. The format enabled researchers from quantum physics, biology, chemistry, and neuroscience to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue and uncover new intersections between their work.

Sessions covered topics ranging from molecular sensing and modelling to cellular imaging and quantum computing, with presentations exploring everything from nanodiamond-based biosensors and phase separation in proteins, to quantum-enhanced microscopy and omics data integration. The diversity of topics reflected the Centre’s core mission: to harness quantum technologies to understand and manipulate biological systems at every scale.

The workshop serves as a strategic engine for collaboration, accelerating the development of quantum technologies that address pressing biological challenges, including early disease detection, neurodegenerative disorders, and drug discovery.

Early-career researchers and HDR students played a central role in the program, presenting their work and gaining experience in communicating complex ideas across disciplines. This focus on professional development is key to building a skilled and collaborative research community equipped to lead the future of quantum biotechnology in Australia.

An Industry Session, featuring Fernando Alves from Quantum Australia and Dr Mark Waller from Pending AI, added valuable perspective on translation and impact. Their talks explored commercialisation pathways, strategic partnerships, and the role of AI in navigating ultra-large chemical spaces, reinforcing the importance of connecting fundamental research with industry.

As QUBIC continues to grow, events like the Themes Workshop are essential for shaping the future of quantum biotechnology by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, supporting emerging researchers, and aligning scientific discovery with societal need.

In 2024 a Translation Facilitation Project was awarded to harness red light to improve Honeybee health and honey production. Honeybees are vital to Australia’s agriculture and economy, supporting crop growth, livestock feed, and food production through pollination services valued at over $14 billion annually. Studies show that red light exposure may significantly enhance honeybee health. This project aimed to assess whether this could be utilised in cost effective ways in bee keeping practices.

This project was led in the field by Dr Nicolas Mauranyapin from QUBIC who worked together with Simon Chatburn (Head beekeeper) from HoneyHunters Australia. The team developed modifications to the HoneyHunter beehives to enable red light illumination and monitor hive vitality. These modifications have been installed in thirty hives in regional Queensland to test the effect of red light on bee heath and hive productivity.

Bees are critical for pollination in our natural parks and communities. However, biosecurity threats such as the Varroa mite are putting significant pressure on Australian bees, highlighting the importance of improving their resilience.

The Translation Facilitation Project supports QUBIC researchers in translating their work into impactful real-world applications.

Dr. Nicolas Mauranyapin is a postdoctoral fellow with over six years of post-PhD research experience specialising in optics, biosensing, bioimaging, quantum optics, and nanomechanics.

Image: Dr Nicolas Mauranyapin (left) and Mr Simon Chatburn (right) on site at HoneyHunters Australia apiary located in the Goondiwindi Region about 300km outside of Brisbane.

We are living in an extraordinary time. Quantum technologies, once confined to the realm of theoretical physics, are now converging with the life sciences to unlock new ways of understanding life itself. This is not just a scientific evolution, it’s a revolution, and QUBIC is leading the charge.

QUBIC Director Professor Warwick Bowen delivered a BrisScience talk that outlines this revolution and how quantum computing, and quantum sensing and imaging are being harnessed to solve some of the most complex challenges in health, medicine, agriculture, and energy.

Quantum mechanics, born a century ago, has already transformed society giving us semiconductors, lasers, GPS, and medical imaging. But we’re now entering a new phase: Quantum 2.0, where we don’t just understand quantum systems, we engineer them. Quantum technologies are poised to deliver economic impact on an unprecedented scale potentially reaching a trillion-dollar industry within the next decade. QUBIC was established to drive this convergence applying quantum computing and quantum sensing to decode the complexity of the human body, from single molecules to entire organ systems. With quantum tools, we can see deeper, measure more precisely, and understand life in ways that were previously impossible.

This shift is enabling technologies that can:

• Detect single proteins without labels
• Image living cells and neural networks with atomic precision
• Simulate molecules too complex for any classical computer
• Diagnose brain diseases like epilepsy and concussion in real time

As Prof. Bowen explains, “Quantum computing and sensing are uniquely suited to biology. Molecules are quantum systems. Life itself is quantum. And quantum technologies are the only tools capable of capturing that complexity.”

QUBIC is the world’s first national centre dedicated to applying quantum technologies to the life sciences. It’s a multidisciplinary powerhouse bringing together physicists, biologists, chemists, neuroscientists, social scientists to tackle problems that matter to people.

From developing portable quantum brain imaging systems for concussion diagnosis, to partnering with industry on quantum-enhanced drug discovery and sustainable agriculture, QUBIC is turning quantum potential into real-world impact.

With 2025 declared the International Year of Quantum, the timing couldn’t be more well aligned. Australia is emerging as a global leader in quantum biotechnology and QUBIC is deeply embedded in this ecosystem driving innovation, collaboration, and translation.

Want to see what the future of science looks like? Watch Professor Warwick Bowen’s BrisScience talk, Bringing Quantum to Life.

The World Science Festival’s Unseen Worlds exhibition, was held in the Whale Mall at Queensland Museum over the weekend. The event captivated over 1000 visitors of all ages with its intricate displays and interactive experiences, showcasing a stunning array of microscopic wonders, from bugs and natural items to quantum chips. Visitors had the opportunity to explore these hidden micro-worlds through ten Zeiss microscopes, revealing microscopic mysteries that are usually invisible to the naked eye.

The exhibition featured a visual projection with images curated by some of Queensland’s leading scientific researchers and organisations, including QBiotics Group; donna davis – artist-in-residence, Queensland Herbarium and Biodiversity Science Unit; Geoff Thompson and Lily Kumpe, Queensland Museum; The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and QUBIC; with soundscape design by Luke Lickfold. Attendees were thrilled by the detailed displays and the chance to engage with the science that shapes our world. The interactive microscopy activation allowed participants to dive deep into the microscopic universe, sparking curiosity and wonder among both young and old.

QUBIC would like to thank Chief Investigator Prof. Jennifer Stow, Associate Investigator Dr Nicholas Condon, and Dr Xichun Li, Hongyu Shen and Sylvia Tan from IMB for their expertise and dedication in collating images and samples, and for being at the event to share their passion for science with the public.

The Unseen Worlds exhibition not only highlighted the beauty and complexity of the microscopic world but also underscored the importance of scientific research and innovation.

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.

Since the 1970’s the gold standard technique for measuring the activity of individual neurons has been patch clamp, which uses an electrode to record the activity of a single neuron.

However, this measurement destroys the cell, limiting the timeframe of experiments to minutes and can only measure the activity of one neuron at a time.

We are developing novel techniques harnessing the power of quantum technologies to provide new ways to measure brain activity from individual neurons, or whole networks of neurons.

We culture the neurons on lab-grown diamonds to visualise neuronal activity. Through imaging neuronal activity, rather than using electrodes as in patch clamp, the measurements can be taken over long periods of time.

In the future this will allow us to visualise activity across the whole brain and understand how individual neurons connect with each other to coordinate the intricate functions of the brain.  

Image: Neurons cultured on a diamond, Ooi Lab, University of Wollongong