Dr. Paola Cappellaro

Professor

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Biography

Paola Cappellaro is the Ford Professor of Engineering in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and also holds a position in the Department of Physics. She is a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics and leads the Quantum Engineering Group. Professor Cappellaro received her Ph.D. from MIT and subsequently worked as a postdoctoral associate at Harvard University in the Institute for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics before returning to the MIT faculty. Her research focuses on the design and control of quantum devices, quantum simulations, computation, and quantum sensing. With a mix of theoretical knowledge and expertise in experimental control, she addresses substantial challenges in developing robust and scalable quantum devices. Notably, she has pioneered the use of electronic spin defects in diamonds, particularly Nitrogen-Vacancy centers, for quantum magnetic sensing. Her contributions have been recognized through over one hundred peer-reviewed journal articles and several prestigious awards. These include the Young Investigator Award from the Office of Scientific Research, the Merkator Fellowship from the German Science Foundation, and being named an APS Fellow in the Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics.

Research Interests

Experience

Ford Professor of Engineering

— Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Leading the Quantum Engineering Group and conducting research in quantum devices and sensing.

Awards

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APS Fellow

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Ford Professorship

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Committed Caring Award

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Merkator Fellowship

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Distinguished Visiting Professor

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AFOSR Young Investigator Award

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Graduate Teaching Award

Courses

Quantum Technology Devices Nuclear Energy: Science, Systems and Society Undergraduate thesis tutorial Applied Nuclear Physics Introduction to Applied Nuclear Physics Seminar in Nuclear Science and Engineering Hands-On Introduction to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance