Dot Pio
mindful physicist

quantum physicist  ·  optical quantum computing

About Dot Pio

Physicist. Engineer.

Dot Pio is a quantum physicist and engineer, a PhD student in optical quantum computing at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and the founder of the online community and universe mindful physicist (@mindfulphysicist). Having researched and studied at DTU, the Niels Bohr Institute at University of Copenhagen, CERN, Technical University of Munich, and University of California SC—Dot is now a PhD scholar at DTU, doing a research collaboration with Harvard University and Keio University in Japan. Her research has one mission: To realize optical qubits for quantum computing. Read more about her research here.

Mission & Outreach

Dot Pio's mission is to spark interest in physics & STEM fields, and to spread the joy of learning and expanding—through teaching her audience about physics, philosophy, life reflections, and how wonderfully fun a career can be if you allow yourself to follow your own path!

Dot Pio's mission is to share her curiosity about physics & philosophy, to show there is space for everyone in STEM, and most importantly: To make learning fun again.

Dot has collaborated with the ITER organization in Southern France, Women in Physics, Notion, and reMarkable. Read more about her science outreach here.

From the physics blog

What does a quantum state look like? What do we need a quantum computer for? Why is the interpretation of quantum mechanics one of the unsolved mysteries in physics? On Dot Pio’s physics blog, @mindfulphysicist, you can find an answer to these questions!

What does a quantum state look like? Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics What do we need a quantum computer for?

Visit the full physics blog →

Dot Pio

Want to work together?

Do you want to work with Dot, or do you have an inquiry? Do not hesitate to reach out. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Get in Touch
Physics Universe

Want to learn quantum physics and more?

On Dot Pio's physics blog, @mindfulphysicist, you can find answers to some of the most fundamental open questions in modern physics.

Here you can see a handful of posts from the physics universe, in which you can also find updates from Dot's life as a researcher and reflections about life! Click the rectangles to go to each post.

A week at CERN
The search for particles
My academic journey
Quantum series
My first conference
What is quantum gravity
What does a quantum state look like?
Interpretations of quantum mechanics
What do we need a quantum computer for?

Visit the full blog on Instagram →

Research

PhD Research in Quantum Physics

PhD — Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Non-Gaussian Quantum States of Light

Dot Pio's research focuses on the generation and control of non-Gaussian quantum states of light for quantum information processing and computing. Conducted at the Quantum Physics & Information Technology (QPIT) section at DTU Physics, the research investigates cavity-QED protocols for producing traveling Schrödinger cat states and approximate Gottesman–Kitaev–Preskill (GKP) states in well-defined temporal modes of propagating optical fields. See a recent conference research poster →

GKP states are key resources for continuous-variable quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computation. GKP states provide a powerful framework for protecting quantum information by encoding qubits into bosonic modes intrinsically resilient to small displacement errors in phase space — a promising route toward scalable quantum processors.

Research at CERN
Accelerator Physics · CERN · BE-ABP-LNO · Jan–Feb 2026
Simulations of AC Dipole Driven Optics Measurements

Short-term research internship at the CERN Beams department, Accelerators & Beam Physics group (BE-ABP-LNO). Research focus: Beam Position Monitoring (BPM) for the Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee) — one of the most ambitious next-generation particle physics projects in the world, supervised by Jacqueline Keintzel. Research paper in preparation.

View CERN presentation →
International Collaborations & Prior Research
Research Collaboration
International Research Network

Research at DTU, collab with Harvard University (US), Keio University (Japan). Prior research at the Niels Bohr Institute / SQuID Lab (University of Copenhagen), CERN Accelerators & Beam Physics (BE-ABP), TU Munich, and UC Santa Cruz.

Master's Thesis
Superconducting Quantum Computing

Thesis within superconducting quantum computing at SQuID Lab, University of Copenhagen.

Dot Pio at European Quantum Technologies Conference 2025
European Quantum Technologies Conference, Copenhagen 2025

View full CV →  ·  LinkedIn →

CV & Academics

Education & Experience

Education
2026 – present
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Quantum Computing
Quantum Physics & Information Technology (QPIT), DTU Physics, Lyngby · Experimental generation of GKP states · Collaboration with Harvard University & Keio University
2022 – 2025
Master of Science in Engineering — Quantum Engineering
Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby · Grade average: 11/12
2025
External stay — SQuID Laboratory, Niels Bohr Institute
University of Copenhagen · MSc project: Two-qubit gates in superconducting quantum computing, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Morten Kjaergaard · Grade: 12/12
2023
External stay — Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST)
Technical University of Munich (TUM) · Quantum sensing, lab of Prof. Dominik Bucher · Selected among 16 students out of 400 applicants internationally
2019 – 2022
Bachelor of Science in Engineering — Physics and Nanotechnology
Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Lyngby · Bachelor's project: Quantum sensing with NV-centres in diamonds, supervised by Prof. Alexander Huck · Grade: 12/12 · Honours-equivalent average
2021 – 2022
Exchange Stay — University of California, Santa Cruz
Physics Engineering · Courses in Mathematics, Statistics, and a Physics lab course · Grades: A+ / B+ / A+
2016 – 2019
Science Study Programme — Upper Secondary Education
Sukkertoppen Gymnasium, Copenhagen · Grade average: 13.6 — highest national grade average in Denmark (all A+ except one A)
Summer Schools & Intensive Programmes
2024
Digi-Q EFEQT Quantum Summer School
Member of DigiQ — EFEQT · Université de Technologie de Troyes, France
2024
Digi-Q & DTU Light & Matter Summer School
Quantum photonics and light-matter interaction · Helsinge, Denmark
2022
WOMANIUM — Global Quantum Computing & Entrepreneurship Programme
QBronze Certificate · Remote/Global
Grants & Funding
2026
CERN Internal Fund (MAF)
Internal grant, CERN
2025
William Demant Foundation
Research and science communication grant
2021
KV Fonden
Recognition of contributions to women in physics for external stay in California
Publications
In preparation
[S.1] Beam Position Monitoring Studies for the FCC-ee (Title TBC)
Dot Pio, Jacqueline Keintzel, et al. · Accelerators & Beam Physics Group (BE-ABP), CERN · DOI: pending registration
2025
[P.1] Poster: European Quantum Technologies Conference (EQTC) 2025
Scientific Presentations
2026
FCC-ee Optics Tuning Meeting — Research Presentation
CERN, Geneva · Presented BPM optics tuning research findings to the FCC-ee accelerator physics team
2025
European Quantum Technologies Conference (EQTC) — Poster Presentation
Poster published on Zenodo: zenodo.org/records/18650303
2023
MCQST Summer Bachelor Programme Colloquium — Poster Presentation
Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (TUM) · Presented quantum sensing research
Research & Work Experience
Jan 2026 – present
Short-Term Research Intern — CERN
Accelerators & Beam Physics Group (BE-ABP), FCC-ee Project, Geneva · Beam Position Monitoring (BPM) for the Future Circular Collider · Supervised by Jacqueline Keintzel · Research paper in preparation · Letter of Recommendation (Dr. Keintzel, CERN) →
Sep – Dec 2025
Research Assistant — QPIT, DTU
Quantum Physics & Information Technology, Lyngby · Pre-PhD research in optical quantum computing · Simulated experimental generation of GKP states using a cavity-QED system · Poster at EQTC Conference
Dec 2024 – present
Student Assistant — DTU Plasma Physics (PPFE)
Fusion energy research & outreach · @fusionsenergi.dk
Dec 2023 – Jan 2025
Volunteer Lab Assistant & Researcher — SQuID Lab
University of Copenhagen · Superconducting qubits · Lab partnered with MIT Engineering Quantum Systems Group
2025
Science Communicator — ITER Organization
Fusion Energy for All, DTU–ITER collaboration · Cadarache, Southern France · Conducted exclusive researcher interviews and produced plasma physics outreach content
Aug 2020 – May 2024
Teaching Assistant — Advanced Engineering Mathematics 1
Technical University of Denmark · Taught introductory college-level mathematics to first-year engineering students across four years
Jan – Aug 2023
Student Assistant — OptoCeutics
Copenhagen · Optics-based technology targeting Alzheimer's disease
Aug – Dec 2022
Student Assistant — Adina Technologies
Copenhagen · Nano-surfaced dental implants for prevention of dental infections
Aug 2020 – Jan 2021
Student Assistant — LINX (Linking Industry to Neutrons & X-rays)
Science writing on X-ray physics research
Apr – Oct 2020
Online Tutor — Restudy Aps
1-on-1 high school physics & mathematics tutoring via the Restudy learning portal
Nominations & Awards
2025
Women in Physics Prize — Nominee
Kvinder i Fysik (Danish Association of Women in Physics) · Nominated in recognition of research and science communication contributions
2019
Highest National Grade Average in High School
Sukkertoppen Gymnasium — Physics study line · GPA 13.6, all A+ on transcript (except one A)
Service & Organising
2025
Organiser — Fusion Energy Summer Camp
Technical University of Denmark (DTU) · Brought together students and researchers across fusion science
Mar 2022 – Mar 2024
Founder & Board Member — IDA Physics
Danish Association of Engineers (IDA) · Built a national community connecting physicists across academia and industry
Press & Media
Mar 2026
DTU News — Intern at CERN
Feature article covering CERN stay within the FCC-ee project
Feb 2025
Interview — Women in Physics (Kvinder i Fysik)
Read interview → · Research, science communication, and women in physics
2023
Interview — MCQST: A Quantum Summer in Munich
Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology
Jun 2023
DTU News — Quantum Sensors Research
"Quantum sensors can offer completely new opportunities" — bachelor project featured in DTU news
2019
Live Television — AFTENSHOWET, DR (Danish National Television)
Live on-air debate with Prof. Svend Brinkmann on youth academic pressure · National broadcast
2019
Newspaper Article — Ugeavisen Norrebro
Featured for achieving the highest grade average in Denmark (13.6)
Professional Memberships
2023 – present
DigiQ / EFEQT
Empowering Future Experts in Quantum Science & Technology for Europe
2024 – present
CERN Alumni Network
2023 – present
MCQST Alumni Network
2022 – present
IDA Physics (Founder)
Danish Association of Engineers · IDA Physics →
Selected Extracurricular Activities
Apr – Oct 2018
Junior Researcher's Project — Graphene Nanopore Water Filtration
Collaboration with Prof. Peter Boggild, DTU · National semifinalist, Young Researchers · Six-month independent research on sustainable drinking water access
2015
Internship — Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen
Week-long immersive introduction to quantum physics at the institute where Bohr and Einstein laid its foundations
2016, 2017, 2018
Georg Mohr Mathematical Contest
Nordic Mathematical Contest for High School Students · 1st and 2nd rounds
2014 – 2016
MasterClass — Gefion Gymnasium
Extracurricular science at high school level · Selected among 10 students from primary school
Aug 2016 – Jan 2019
Academy for Talented Youth (Akademiet for Talentfulde Unge)
Professional workshops and higher-education lectures · Programming summer camp (self-built alarm clock)
Skills & Competences
Programming
Python (Qiskit, SciPy, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, SymPy, scikit-learn, QuTiP), MATLAB, Maple, COMSOL, Athena, LaTeX, HTML, JavaScript
Physics
Quantum physics, Quantum information, Experimental physics, Quantum sensing (NV-centres), Superconducting qubits, Accelerator physics, Fusion energy
Lab & Design
Autodesk Inventor, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Microsoft Office, Logger Pro 3.8
Languages
Danish (native), English (fluent), German (elementary)
Communication
Science writing, public outreach, media appearances, community building
Outreach & Media

Science, shared
with the world.

On this page you can find Dot Pio's outreach and media presence — most items are linked so you can click through directly. From conference presentations and media interviews to science communication travels and invited talks, these are the highlights of Dot's science outreach journey. Dot is always interested in doing more outreach — feel free to get in touch!

Online Presence
  • Physics blog with a community of currently 43,000 science interested people
  • The mindful physicist Discord community — a networking platform
  • Threads — short-form text content
  • LinkedIn — professional updates
Presentations at Conferences
  • European Quantum Technologies Conference 2025 — Poster presentation
  • MCQST Summer Bachelor Program Colloquium 2023 — Poster presentation
  • CERN, FCC-ee Optics Tuning Meeting 2026 — Research presentation
Nominations & Awards
  • Nominated for the Women in Physics Prize 2025
Organizing & Founding
  • Organizer of Fusion Energy Summer Camp 2025, DTU
  • Founder of professional physics network IDA Physics, Danish Association of Engineers
Newspaper Articles
  • Article from DTU about internship at CERN
  • Article written about high school grade average (highest national grade average 2019)
Interviews in Media
  • Short interview with MCQST
  • Interview with Women in Physics
Science Communication Travels
  • Travel to ITER in Southern France — exclusive science interviews and plasma physics outreach for the Fusion Energy for All project (DTU & ITER collaboration)
Invited Talks & Colloquia
  • International Day of Women in Science & Astronomy, Rundetaarn, March 2025
Television Presence
  • Live talk at Danish national TV, AFTENSHOWET, 2019 — debate with professor in psychology Svend Brinkmann
Brand Collaborations
Get in Touch

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