Journeys into Engineering

From a young age, I was fascinated by how things worked. My first programming class in high school (Visual Basic) sparked a lifelong love for computers, math, and problem-solving. Although I wasn’t admitted to the computer engineering program and instead joined electrical engineering, I turned that setback into an opportunity to understand computing from both hardware and software perspectives. My bachelor’s project on embedded systems reflected that balance.

Determined to study abroad, I moved from Egypt to Japan to pursue my master’s at Tokyo Tech without funding, working four part-time jobs to support myself. After losing Ph.D. scholarships due to a paperwork error, I reached out to a professor who introduced me to quantum computing, a field that instantly captured my curiosity. I joined Keio University as a researcher and lecturer, teaching mathematics while learning quantum computing from scratch.

When the pandemic began, I supported my Ph.D. by writing articles about quantum computing, which unexpectedly reached a broad audience and revealed my passion for science communication. After earning my Ph.D., I worked at Argonne National Lab and the University of Illinois at Chicago on quantum software and applications before moving to Scotland, where I am now an associate researcher at the University of Edinburgh.

Across four countries, Egypt, Japan, the U.S., and Scotland, I’ve learned that resilience means rising each time with new lessons in hand. As a woman in quantum computing, I’ve often felt like an outsider, but I’ve come to see that difference as a strength. Today, I channel my passion for teaching into outreach programs that make quantum science more accessible, especially for women and underrepresented students.

My journey is one of curiosity, courage, and connection —a reminder that innovation isn’t just about science but about making every space more inclusive, welcoming, and human.