Mary Catherine (MC) Lorio is a quantum physicist, artist, and actress from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she first discovered her love for quantum physics, animation, acting, and the arts. She earned her A.B. in Physics and M.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Princeton University.

Her fascination with quantum physics began at the age of fifteen while searching for a topic for her school science fair. Around that time, a friend introduced her to the Schrödinger’s Cat paradox, sparking a curiosity that would shape her future. Eager to learn more, she reached out to world-renowned quantum physicist Professor Jonathan Dowling at Louisiana State University. Serendipitously, he had just received funding to host a high school student that summer and didn’t know where he would find one—until her email arrived. MC became the first high school student to join the Quantum Science and Technologies (QST) group in the summer of 2016.

That summer, she experimentally performed the Quantum Eraser experiment and later simulated it using Mathematica. Her ability to communicate complex topics with clarity and enthusiasm earned her numerous accolades: first place at the Louisiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, three special awards at the 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a bronze medal at the 2017 International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, and Environment Project Olympiad (ISWEEEP), the Yale Science and Engineering Award, the Naval Research Award, and more. She presented her work at the International Conference on Quantum Computing and Measurement at LSU.

She went on to complete three more physics research projects at LSU and won the fourth place grand award in physics at the 2018 ISEF for her work on simulating diffraction theory using Hermite-Gaussian modes of light—research she later presented in Toulouse, France.

At Princeton, she continued her quantum journey through internships and research positions at places like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and others.

MC believes that science and the arts are deeply intertwined—both are rooted in storytelling and observation. Whether she's exploring the mysteries of the universe or performing to an audience, she is driven by a desire to understand and connect. So, let’s have a Quantum Moment together and understand our world!