I am a physicist by training, driven by curiosity to understand the world. I have always been interested in making impact through science. Initially, when as a teenager I chose to pursue physics, I wanted to become a professor, and lead my own research group, and hopefully at some point with a Nobel Prize (so basically grow up to be a scientist rock star). I had made a good start on that trajectory too - I hold two Master degrees: in theoretical quantum optics, and in physics of quantum information, a PhD in experimental condensed matter physics, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship combining materials science with quantum information processing. Along the way I have developed interest in nanoscience, which requires a wrecking ball approach to traditional disciplinary boundaries. This is when I realised that as a scientist, I am first and foremost a critical thinker and a problem solver, whose skills are actually quite transferable. And if I do not know something yet, I can always learn it. As the years have passed I discovered I do not particularly want to become a world expert in a single specific area - I lack patience to achieve that! Instead, I am driven by finding unexpected connections and working in teams with smart people who bring in very distinct points of view to my own. Tackling most grand challenges requires this sort of diverse approach, and makes for a very dynamic intellectual environment too. I am so lucky that this is exactly what I do in my day job!