Who are you?

I am Ludovica Asselta, a recent graduate in Electronics Engineering from Politecnico di Torino.

What attracted you to take a (quantum) physics career?

I have always been curious about how things work at the smallest scale, where the rules start to change and everything becomes less intuitive. When I first learned about quantum physics, I was surprised by how much there is still to discover and understand. During my studies, I saw how these concepts can lead to real technologies, like quantum computers and ultra-low-noise electronics, and that really motivated me. I like working on something that is both challenging and meaningful for the future. That’s why I decided to continue in this direction and focus on cryogenic devices and quantum applications.

How have you heard about the INSPIRE Potentials Fellowship? In what way did the fellowship help you in your research?

My thesis supervisor informed me about the opportunity to apply for the INSPIRE Potential Fellowship. This fellowship provided essential financial support, allowing me to focus fully on my research, and offered the valuable opportunity to connect with other women who had already participated in the program.

What was the topic of your master’s project?

My master’s thesis focused on the optimization of contact metallization for cryogenic HEMTs, targeting low-noise amplifiers in quantum computing applications. I was actively involved both in the nanofabrication of the devices within the cleanroom environment and in the subsequent electrical characterization. This work was carried out at IBM Research Zurich, within the III-V Cryogenic Electronics Group, under the supervision of Cezar Zota and Eunjung Cha.

What was the biggest challenge in your master thesis? What did you enjoy the most?

The main challenge of my thesis was working in such a rigorous environment as the cleanroom, where every step requires great care, precision, and attention to detail. The process also demanded strong critical thinking, since even small decisions could affect the final device performance. However, I truly enjoyed the learning experience. It was my first time gaining real hands-on experience in such an innovative facility as the BRNC cleanroom, and throughout the project I developed a much greater level of independence and confidence in my work.

What did you learn through this experience?

Through this experience, I learned how to work in a highly controlled and demanding environment, where precision and organization are essential. I developed stronger problem-solving skills, because each step of the fabrication required me to think critically about the possible outcomes and adjust the process when necessary. I also learned to be more independent in the lab, managing my tasks and taking responsibility for the results. Overall, this project helped me grow both technically and personally, and it made me even more motivated to continue working in this field.

How was your experience living abroad? Was it the first time for you?

The experience of living abroad was amazing for me. I had never lived outside my country for such a long period, so it was a completely new situation. However, during the past six years I have already been living far from my hometown, so adapting to a new place was not a problem for me. Zurich was the perfect city for this experience, thanks to its large multicultural community and the welcoming environment that made me feel comfortable from the very beginning.

What are your plans for the future?

Currently, I am working as a research fellow at my university, which is giving me the opportunity to deepen my technical knowledge and continue developing research skills. In the future, I would like to continue on this path and pursue a PhD in the field of electronics, ideally in a research area that still maintains a strong connection to physics. I really enjoy working at the intersection between devices and fundamental physical principles, and I would like my career to evolve in a direction where I can contribute to innovative technological developments while continuing to learn and explore new ideas.