Exclusive interview with Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany, Consulate of Canada, Munich, Germany by Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum.
About Jennifer E. Decker: Jennifer E. Decker is the Consul and Principal Advisor, representing the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in Germany. As Canada’s largest federal research and development organization, NRC strives for a better Canada and world through excellence in research and innovation. NRC’s mission is to have an impact by advancing knowledge, applying leading-edge technologies, and working with other innovators to find creative, relevant and sustainable solutions to Canada’s current and future economic, social and environmental challenges. Having acquired extensive experience as a researcher in physical sciences, and as a Diplomat at Canada’s Embassy in Berlin launching successful research co-operation, her goal is to develop and strengthen international research and innovation partnerships. Jennifer is interested in innovation ecosystems, strategies to foster research excellence, and science policy development. Jennifer was the Executive Advisor (Chief of Staff) to NRC Chief Digital Research Officer and Director Special Initiatives, Principal Analyst, Office of the Vice-President, Emerging Technologies, NRC, Canada prior to her present position as Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany, Consulate of Canada, Munich, Germany.
About Nithyasri Srivathsan: Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder of SheQuantum, quantum researcher, author, international keynote speaker, guest lecturer, based in Singapore. She has delivered several talks and keynote speeches in France, Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, United States, and India on quantum computing education and diversity & inclusion in quantum computing. She was an invited guest lecturer at University of Massachusetts Boston where she delivered the Women’s Day Guest Lecture titled “Perspectives in Quantum Computing” in the PHYS447 Quantum Information course. Her research work on quantum information was published with the QBism Research Group, UMass Boston on the probability distributions and entanglement properties, with partial grant from NSF. Nithyasri authored the bestseller “Quantum Computing: An [Unconventional Beginners’] Book” in 2020 which was honored by BookAuthority twice as “Best Quantum Computing Books for Beginners” and “All Time Best Quantum Computing Books”, recognized internationally. Nithyasri was invited to contribute to Ernst and Young London’s white paper titled “Ready your Quantum Workforce” where she wrote about the importance of diversity in the field of quantum computing. She was invited to deliver a seminar at BII, A*STAR Singapore on Quantum Computing to their biologists recently and was featured by SCS, IMDA – Gov. of Singapore as “Singapore 100 Women in Tech” for the year 2023.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Could you briefly explain the current quantum computing-related research undertaken at the NRC, Canada?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has three Challenge Programs which support research and technology development in quantum technologies. The themes covered include quantum sensors, quantum communications and quantum simulation of physical systems. Through the NRC Applied Quantum Computing Challenge Program, the NRC is bringing a focus on the development of algorithms and software to better understand biological, chemical and physical processes. The Programs were developed to support Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, and brings government, academia and industry together to support commercial innovation goals.
“The Programs were developed to support Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, and brings government, academia and industry together to support commercial innovation goals.”
There are numerous centers across Canada making important contributions – too many to mention individually! Suffice to say, there are many strong academic institutions providing opportunities for students, and the NRC is partnered with many of them. (https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research-collaboration/programs/challenge-programs & https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/research-collaboration/programs/applied-quantum-computing-challenge-program).
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What sparked your interest in research in physical sciences like Quantum Science?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: From early on as a student, I had an interest in working with lasers and optics because I found them so beautiful. I completed my undergrad in Physics at U. Waterloo and then graduate studies in laser-atom interactions at the Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL) at université Laval in Québec, Canada. COPL was a wonderful place for hands-on lab work with high-intensity laser systems, and with a large group of Professors taking part in the COPL, there is opportunity to learn about a very wide range of systems and applications (https://www.copl.ulaval.ca/en/).
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: How does it feel to be a women leader in the present quantum research space? What values are most important to you as a woman researcher and as a Diplomat?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: I feel very fortunate to work in the research and technology community. As part of our graduate student training in laboratories, researchers learn to communicate in an honest and open style. I think dialogue is key to developing lasting collaborative relationships. I value communication skills and leadership above all. In addition, organization and coordination are necessary for research teams to achieve results, and in turn, deliver impact, so as a researcher, one needs to constantly develop these attributes.
“I think dialogue is key to developing lasting collaborative relationships. I value communication skills and leadership above all.”
Transitioning from lab researcher to diplomat involved honing skills in communication and observation – as well as adding a new knowledge-set. For example, I learned a lot about Intellectual Property frameworks, legal collaboration agreements, trade and treaty agreements. A research career offers continued learning, and from this perspective, the transition to diplomat continued along that path. In my current position, I am continually deepening my knowledge in new technical fields, as well as aspects of Canadian and German science, technology and innovation ecosystems.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Why is there a necessity to build a global ecosystem of governments working on quantum technologies?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Often times it is government and academic labs that make early contributions to understanding a technology. From a practical perspective, development of pre-regulatory standards is key to transition technologies from the lab to a functioning industry and market. The International Standards Organization (ISO) is one such avenue, where global economies come together to facilitate world trade by providing common standards. I enjoyed participating in Technical Committee TC229 Nanotechnologies in the mid-2000’s. In addition to technical specifications, occupational health, safety, and environmental impact are also aspects addressed in this process, and I found contributing to be very fulfilling. One could imagine that for quantum, the standards development could be very similar. Moreover, activities in global standards development contribute to science diplomacy via the trust relationships that are built between individuals and delegations during the process.
“In addition to researcher-to-researcher connections, diplomatic relationships are important to open doors, foster new partnerships and maintain communication.”
In addition to researcher-to-researcher connections, diplomatic relationships are important to open doors, foster new partnerships and maintain communication. Identification of priorities at the science-policy interface is an important step to move technologies forwards, and this is where science diplomacy can complement dialogue – making sure that timely research-related topics find their place in science policy and government decision-making.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What do you think makes quantum computing stand out among other emerging technologies?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Quantum computing stands out because it has potential to underpin disruptive technologies. By completely changing the way some problems are analyzed, and leading to faster and more powerful computing, quantum computing could have impacts in ways that have not occurred to us yet.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: In addition to your important leadership positions in driving strategy and collaborations, you’re a physicist as well. What are your thoughts about being a woman in Physics and Nanotechnology?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: I enjoy technology topics and I have many women friends in physics. I value these special relationships to share experiences within the researcher culture, especially through life’s ups and downs.
I have always gravitated to hobbies where I could work with my hands (like clothing), and in turn, I enjoyed working on optical set-ups and with precision gauges in the metrology lab. As to being in science and tech – there are numerous ways to contribute to a research group -not only in the lab, but also via mathematical modeling and theory development. A research-related career is great for anyone with a vivid imagination! There are also ways to contribute to technology and innovation through avenues like science communication, networking and funding organizations, science policy development –depending on individual interests and talents.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Do we have enough women talent in physics, more specifically in quantum computing?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Today, it is widely held that diversity in teams contributes to new and fresh ideas. I think young girls who demonstrate talent in science and engineering should be encouraged to develop those into their working life. Technology careers are interesting, well-paying and offer opportunities for advancement and the field of quantum computing is in early stages, so a wonderful opportunity.
We know that there are fewer females graduating from physics and engineering programs. I would like to highlight social sciences research, such as the Engendering Success in STEM (https://projectrise.ca/our-team/), that contributes to our understanding about how the talent pipeline could be addressed to foster diversity.
“We know that there are fewer females graduating from physics and engineering programs.”
I would also point out that one of the three pillars of Canada’s National Quantum Strategy is the development, attraction and retention of talent to build the quantum sector. (https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/national-quantum-strategy/en)
The NRC supports and nurtures a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among women. It is such an important aspect because having diversity in science and research expands the pool of talented researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, ideas, and creativity. NRC actively supports the development, progression and advancement of diverse talent through mentoring, sponsoring, career and leadership development, and talent management.
There are also funding programs to support diversity and one example is the NRC Luise and Gerhard Herzberg Postdoctoral Fellowship for research excellence awarded each year to PhD graduate who identifies as a woman. (https://nrc.canada.ca/en/corporate/careers/nrc-luise-gerhard-herzberg-postdoctoral-fellowship).
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What do you think can be done to drive women to take up careers in quantum computing?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Raising awareness about science and research at an early stage in children’s education, such as middle-school, could make a difference in their continuing education and career choices.
“Raising awareness about science and research at an early stage in children’s education, such as middle-school, could make a difference in their continuing education and career choices.”
Also – encouraging students to study math and not drop it when it gets more demanding. In terms of supporting early-career researchers in the ecosystem, child-care facilities near or on-site at labs and places of work would go a long way in contributing to positive work-life balance.
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: What’s your one advice to women who aspire to pursue research in the Quantum Sciences?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Follow your passion and stick with it! Determination and focus are important qualities in any endeavor, and in a technical career, even more so. Also, take the time to ask around and find a good team – people make the difference.
“Follow your passion and stick with it! Determination and focus are important qualities in any endeavor, and in a technical career, even more so.”
Question from Nithyasri Srivathsan, Founder, SheQuantum: Anything else you would like to share with SheQuantum’s community?
Answer from Jennifer E. Decker, Consul (Principal Advisor), National Research Council Canada (NRC) Germany: Thank you for this invitation to contribute my thoughts with SheQuantum community!
“Thank you for this invitation to contribute my thoughts with SheQuantum community!”
I think networking organizations like “SheQuantum” and “500 Women Scientists” organization, CU Boulder are fantastic for women to connect, share experiences and support each other.
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