Elham Kashefi’s path to quantum mechanics wasn't a straight line. Born in Iran, she grew up with a passion for mathematics and problem-solving, but also a deep love for dancing and the unknown. Today, as a Professor and co-founder of the startup VeriQloud, she uses the "magical toolkit" of quantum mechanics to solve privacy challenges in the cloud.
You often describe your journey into science as a way to fulfill a childhood dream. How did mathematics lead you to become a "world traveler"?
As a child, when asked what I wanted to be, I would simply say, "a world traveler". My father used to tell me that wasn't a real job ! I grew up in Tehran, where there is a huge appreciation for education, especially math. I studied at Sharif University, focusing on combinatorics and graph theory, because I loved the puzzle-solving aspect of it. Eventually, I realized that science was the perfect vehicle for my dream. It is a "no boundary space". It became my "suitcase". It allowed me to move to London, meet colorful people, and collaborate globally. I realized my dad was wrong: you can be a world traveler, through math and science.
How did you make the jump from classical computer science to quantum computing in the late 90s?
It happened in London, at Imperial College. I arrived with one suitcase to work as a research assistant because I was a good programmer. A friend, Yvette, told me I should get into "quantum computing." I told her, "I’m a terrible physicist!".But my supervisor, Vladko Vedral, was brilliant. He understood my background was in linear algebra and combinatorics, and he translated quantum problems into a language I could speak . I fell in love with it. I saw quantum theory as a new, magical toolkit teleportation, QKD, superposition that allowed us to attack old problems in completely new ways .
One of your major contributions is "Blind Quantum Computing." Can you explain what that is?
This is the work I am most proud of. As we move toward using powerful quantum computers in the cloud, we face a privacy issue. If you are a pharmaceutical company wanting to discover a drug, you don't want the cloud provider to steal your data or your algorithm. Universal Blind Quantum Computing is a protocol we invented that allows a client to connect to a quantum server and run a computation without the server ever knowing what the data or the algorithm is. It turns privacy from a barrier into an enabler for collaboration. It solves the tension between regulation and the need to share data.
You are also involved with the French Hybrid Quantum Initiative (HQI). What is your role there?
For a long time, quantum computing existed mostly on blackboards. HQI represents the era where these machines finally exist. It’s an amazing "sandbox". My background is theoretical, but HQI allows us to test our protocols on real, noisy hardware. We have to adapt our perfect mathematical models to the limitations of current devices . It’s a scientific discovery phase where hardware experts and researchers mix together to figure out how to actually deliver value.
As a woman in a male-dominated field, what is your perspective on the place of women in STEM?
Science is, by definition, one of the most open-minded spaces. It is based on facts, not hierarchy. However, we are humans, and humans make mistakes. I have faced setbacks being the only woman in the meeting, being ignored but my "backbone" has been my network .When things go wrong, I don't internalize it as "it's because I'm a woman." I turn to my friends and mentors. We have a drink, we vent, and we move on. That is vital. We need to show the next generation what a scientist's life really looks like. It’s not just the "Big Bang Theory" stereotype of a weirdo in a basement. It’s about travel, collaboration, and fun. If we can show that, we can attract more brilliant minds.
About Elham Kashefi
Elham Kashefi is a Professor of Quantum Computing and a CNRS Research Director. She is the co-founder of VeriQloud, a startup focusing on quantum network security. A pioneer in quantum cloud computing and verification, she bridges the gap between theoretical quantum protocols and real-world applications.