Dr Xanthe Croot, the Director of the University of Sydney's Superconducting Quantum Circuits Laboratory, has been awarded a prestigious 2026 Westpac Research Fellowship to tackle some of the central challenges in quantum computing: reducing errors and increasing efficiency. The announcement in March acknowledges the importance of her work in "accelerating the potential of quantum technologies across medicine, security, advanced manufacturing and national capability."

Xanthe says “This Fellowship will support my scientific efforts to solve the problem of error in quantum computers, as well as my growth as a researcher through leadership training and professional development."

Westpac Research Fellows are early career researchers and receive a minimum of $400,000 over 3-5 years, plus access to mentorship and leadership development.

Xanthe is also one of the drivers of University of Sydney's Physics Unboxed - a free one-day event for high school girls interested in physics and STEM careers.