Interview with Quantum Physicist and Ballerina Dr. Merritt Moore

This week, we caught up with the incredible “Quantum Ballerina” Dr. Merritt Moore — a quantum physicist and professional ballerina who is taking the world by storm.

Merritt graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors in Physics from Harvard and recently graduated with a PhD in Atomic and Laser Physics from the University of Oxford. At the same time, her professional ballet career has seen her dance with the Zurich Ballet, Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, and Norwegian National Ballet.

This 30 Under 30 Forbes winner has also appeared in BBC’s Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? and features in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls book. Here’s her story:

Newnham: What were you like growing up? And what first drew you to dance and physics?
Bardega: I was pretty quiet and introverted (I still am pretty introverted to be honest). I have a quiet intensity when I’m focused, and I’ve always been kind.

I have always found movement and mathematics much more natural than words and requiring a similar mindset. I didn’t speak much as a kid (I didn’t say a word till about three), so when I discovered dance at 13 years-old, I felt such freedom to have finally found a means to express myself in a way that felt most natural to me. Similarly, I…