Hi! I’m Ishika, a quantum physicist and engineer in training :)
I am currently a PhD student in Quantum Science & Engineering at the University of Chicago. I work in the Cleland Lab with Prof. Andrew Cleland. I’m interested in superconducting qubits, quantum acoustics and hybrid quantum computing, with a focus on how we can engineer, control and better understand complex quantum systems.
I received my Sc.B. degrees (magna cum laude) in Mathematical Physics (Honors) and Computer Science from Brown University in 2025. At Brown, I conducted research with Prof. Jia Li at the Low Dimensional Electronics Group on emerging quantum phases in strongly correlated systems within 2D van der Waals heterostructures using a combination of quantum transport, Coulomb screening, and microwave measurements. I also interned at Fermilab (SQMS) and Rigetti Computing during this time to develop calibrations, benchmarks and error-correction pipelines for flux pulse distortions in their quantum processors. Beyond this, I played an active role in the physics community as co-president of the Physics WiSE and Board Member of Quantum Computing @ Brown.
If you’re interested in my work, collaborations or just curious, please feel free to reach out!
Research
Cleland Lab — University of Chicago
PhD student (2025–present).
Low Dimensional Electronics Group (Li Lab)
Undergraduate researcher
- Focus: Experimental Investigation of Interlayer Excitons in Quantum Hall Bilayer Systems
- Outcomes: Received Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award (UTRA) twice to conduct research in the group. Also received the Mildred Widgoff Prize for Excellence in Thesis Preparation for my senior thesis.