People

Mehul was born in New Delhi, India. After completing his PhD in Optics at the University of Rochester, NY in the group of Robert W Boyd, he spent five fruitful years in Vienna as a Marie Curie fellow in the group of Anton Zeilinger and a senior postdoctoral fellow in the group of Marcus Huber at IQOQI Vienna. Outside of physics, Mehul is passionate about science communication and issues of gender diversity and researcher mobility in academia. He is an avid cook and enjoys exploring BBQ cuisines from around the world at the annual BBQLab BBQ. He is a keen backcountry skier, loves art+film+music, and is not shy on the dance floor. In his spare time, he can be found exploring the many beautiful hills around Edinburgh and spending time with his wife and two amazing kids!

Will joined our emerging team in 2019 following his PhD (2017) and several years post-doc in University of Bristol, Quantum Engineering Technology Labs with Prof John Rarity FRS and the quantum information group. There he developed his background in nonlinear quantum photonics in fibers and integrated optics as well as quantum information theory, and since has been applying these methods to high-dimensional systems, their characterisation and applications in quantum communication/networking settings. As an on-going programme committee member for the conference ‘Q-turn: Changing paradigms in quantum information science’, UCU member, and past role of EDI session chair at Bristol Quantum Information Technologies conference he champions academic cultural principles around workers’ rights and inclusion. Out of the office, Will can be found (and heard) in front of pianos and drumkits at open jams, and seen rolling, jumping and flipping around parks on his skateboard.

Natalia is from Bogotá, Colombia. She obtained her B.Sc in Physics from the National University of Colombia, gained her M.Sc in Photonics with the Europhotonics Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program, and got her PhD at BBQ Lab, for which she was awarded the prize for the most outstanding contribution to the university’s research in 2023. Her research interests include finding novel ways to generate, characterise, and manipulate complex quantum states of light. Natalia is currently funded by the EPSRC and Scottish Enterprise as an entrepreneurial lead to drive the commercialisation of cutting-edge quantum entanglement technology and transform it into market-ready solutions. Natalia feels passionate about the importance of diversity and equality in science. She tries to get involved in projects in the UK and Colombia that seek to tackle the challenges that underrepresented groups face when working in STEM. When she’s not doing science, Natalia is enjoying the vibrant eating and drinking scene of Edinburgh, or going out in her campervan. At home, she will be dancing while cooking, binge-watching TV shows, and reading or listening to a good book.

Primarily from New Delhi, Suraj has stayed in and experienced almost all corners of India. He comes from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi where he completed his B.Tech in Engineering Physics, and got hos PhD at BBQ Lab in 2024. He loves to do cool experiments with photons. Although he comes up with a new hobby every few months, outside the lab you can find him making circuits that automate different parts of his home, or doing some shiny night sky photography at the moment. One can also find him fantasizing about some amazing eastern philosophies on life and reality!

Bohnishikha grew up primarily in Chennai, India, and earned her integrated BS–MS degree in Physical Sciences from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata in 2019. Later that year, she moved to the University of Warsaw, where she completed her Ph.D. in 2025 under the supervision of Dr. Radek Łapkiewicz at the Quantum Imaging Lab. Her dissertation focused on the observation and theory of optical analogues of quantum backflow. She joined the BBQ Lab in 2025 as a postdoctoral research associate, where she continues to explore her fascination with structured light while embracing the lab’s mission of harnessing high-dimensional photonic states for quantum communication. Outside the lab, Bohnishikha enjoys photography, painting, reading, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Primarily from Meerut, Sugandh grew up in various towns in India. She earned her Bachelor’s in Physics from Miranda House, Delhi University. In 2018, she continued her academic journey with a Master’s in Physics at IIT Kharagpur. During both degrees, she developed a strong interest in nonlinear light–matter interactions, diving into the field through numerical simulations. Her PhD took her deeper into the world of nonlinear optics—this time experimenting in the lab, working on laser mode manipulation, wave‑mixing techniques, and interactions with unique low‑dimensional materials. As a postdoctoral researcher, Sugandh now shifts her focus toward quantum sensing and entanglement, aiming to advance those cutting-edge areas. When she’s not in the lab, she’s likely to be found binge-reading, shopping, booking spontaneous trips, or struggling with the ever-elusive art of cooking.

After completing both of his undergrad research projects with us (BSc and MSc) in Physics here at Heriot-Watt, Dylan was impressed enough that he decided to join our lab as a PhD student in 2022. He’s Swedish-Welsh, having grown up in the city of Gothenburg he is already used to the cold of Edinburgh. His research interests and learning lie mainly in manipulating quantum optical systems with complex media. He enjoys biking around Edinburgh and exploring food from all over the world both by cooking and eating.

Mariana, also known as Maannameng（马安那蒙), is originally from the historic city of Xi’an in China. She moved to Argentina in 2008 with her family, and completed her master’s in physics at the University of Buenos Aires. She spans her interest from multipartite entanglement in high dimensions, to its applications in quantum communication. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Chinese food, hiking, sewing and recycling clothes, and many other things. She is excited to begin a new adventure at Edinburgh, to find the best bubble tea in the city, meeting new people, and to learn many other skills in life, just in case quantum physics doesn’t work out.

Miguel studied his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and physics in his hometown of Bogota, Colombia. After that, he went to Politecnico di Milano to obtain his master’s degree in engineering physics and eat lots of pizza. Miguel is interested in the theoretical and practical work done on Quantum Information Science and Photonics. He enjoys reading books, going to the gym, writing poems and short stories and wondering about the beauty of mathematics in nature.

Primarily from Paris, Samuel completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Physics at Sorbonne University, specializing in quantum information. He is rejoining the BBQ Lab, this time for his PhD, with his first project focusing on MPLC and exploring the fascinating ways light and photons can be tamed to do cool things. He loves diving into experiments that blend curiosity with real-world applications, anything that makes physics come alive. Outside the lab, you can often find him at the gym, in the pool, or scaling a climbing wall. When he’s not on the move, he’s probably at the piano, cooking or baking something new, or getting lost in tough co-op or quirky indie games. He’s always eager to learn more about how the world works; whether through physics, food, or a funny game with friends.

Bilal is from Lahore, Pakistan. He developed an interest in quantum optics during his undergraduate studies while working with PhysLab at LUMS. After graduating in 2022, he co-developed Pakistan’s first single-photon laboratory and co-authored the book “Quantum Mechanics in the Single-Photon Laboratory (Second Edition)”. More recently, he worked on a multidisciplinary tuberculosis diagnostics project, gaining hands-on experience in both chemistry and biology labs. You’ll find him surprisingly skilled with micropipettes if the situation calls for it! Bilal is also a foodie—very much like the rest of the team. Food is the second field of science he is most interested in, and in addition to becoming a better scientist, he aims to be a good cook during his PhD with BBQ Lab!

Originally from Chennai, India, Pravalika earned her Integrated MSc in Physics from the Central University of Tamil Nadu. Driven by a growing interest in quantum optics, she went on to pursue an M.Tech in Quantum Technology at IIST, Thiruvananthapuram. During her time at the Physical Research Laboratory, she worked on a range of exciting experiments involving single photons and atmospheric turbulence. Outside lab, she enjoys long walks with music, experimenting with new recipes, and capturing moments through photography.