Francesca Ferlaino Named 'Scientist of the Year 2025' for Quantum Breakthroughs

Francesca Ferlaino, a leading physicist at the University of Innsbruck, has been named 'Scientist of the Year 2025'. Her pioneering work in quantum research and advocacy for women in science has earned widespread recognition. Austria’s strong tradition in quantum physics, highlighted by Anton Zeilinger’s 2022 Nobel Prize, adds to the significance of her achievements.

Ferlaino specialises in ultracold magnetic atoms, studying their behaviour near absolute zero. These atoms can interact over large distances, offering insights into quantum phenomena. One of her key breakthroughs involved simulating how neutron stars suddenly change their spin using ultracold dipolar atoms.

In 2023, she made headlines by detecting quantized vortices in supersolids—a rare state of matter that acts as both a solid and a fluid. Her findings on Bose-Einstein condensates and superfluidity have appeared in top journals like *Nature* and *Physical Review Letters*. Beyond research, she co-founded *atom*innen* in 2024, a network supporting women in physics. Her efforts to promote gender equality in science earned her Austria’s Grete Rehor State Prize in 2023. The award also recognised her skill in explaining complex quantum concepts to the public. Ferlaino believes curiosity about quantum physics often outweighs scepticism, especially when communicated clearly.

The 'Scientist of the Year' title highlights Ferlaino’s dual impact on research and inclusion. Her work advances quantum science while inspiring more women to enter the field. The recognition follows a series of high-profile achievements, from groundbreaking experiments to public engagement initiatives.