Category: Centre News

Professor Muhammad Usman, a leading expert in quantum computing at CSIRO, has joined QUBIC as an Associate Investigator. His appointment strengthens QUBIC’s mission to translate quantum science into real-world impact, particularly in health and sustainability.

At QUBIC, Professor Usman will contribute to the Queensland Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance (QDA), and collaborate across the Molecule Theme with Prof Alan Mark, Prof Haibo Yu and others, as well as the Brain Theme with Prof Warwick Bowen, Prof Lloyd Hollenberg, Prof Lezanne Ooi and others. His work focuses on developing quantum algorithms that can accelerate breakthroughs in medical imaging, early-stage diagnostics, and drug discovery, bridging the gap between academic research and industry applications.

“Quantum computing is one of the most exciting frontiers in science,” says Professor Usman. “It holds the promise to solve problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing, from curing diseases like cancer to discovering new materials for clean energy.”

Professor Usman’s team will work closely with QUBIC researchers to drive innovation, support talent development, and position Australia as a global leader in quantum-enabled health and biotechnology.

When he’s not designing quantum algorithms, Professor Usman enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. “As a theorist, I don’t have a physics lab, so I satisfy my experimental curiosity through cooking,” he says.

A/Prof David Simpson’s July Public Lecture explores how diamond quantum sensing is transforming our understanding of the human body.

As part of the University of Melbourne’s prestigious July Lectures in Physics, a tradition since 1968, Associate Professor David Simpson delivered a compelling talk on Quantum Biotechnology and Quantum Sensing. This lecture was a highlight of the 2025 series, held in celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), marking 100 years since the birth of quantum mechanics.

In his talk, A/Prof Simpson explored how diamond-based quantum sensors are revolutionising medical technologies. From decoding magnetic signals in brain tissue to detecting iron imbalances in the body, these technologies are not only illuminating biology in new ways, but they’re also laying the groundwork for next-generation medical diagnostics and therapies.

 “Diamond materials are leading a new quantum sensing revolution that is transforming our understanding of the human body,” Simpson explains. “What was once confined to the lab are now becoming the clinical tools of tomorrow.”

This work is part of a broader national effort led by QUBIC, which brings together a multi-disciplinary team of physicists, biologists, chemists, neuroscientists and social scientists to harness quantum technologies for real-world biomedical impact. QUBIC is at the forefront of developing quantum tools to study living systems, with applications ranging from understanding neurodegenerative diseases to cancer detection.

Watch now: Quantum Sensing: The diamond age of quantum biotechnology

The July Lectures in Physics are presented by the University of Melbourne School of Physics. They are a series of free public lectures exploring physics: from the most fundamental questions to its influence in society.

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.

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!