Katarina Cicak

Katarina Cicak is a physicist and research scientist in the Applied Physics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder CO. She has been employed at NIST since 2004, progressing from Postdoctoral Researcher to Physicist in the Advanced Microwave Photonics Group.

• Education: Ph.D. in Physics (Cornell University, 2020), B.S. in Physics (University of Southern California, 1997), A.S. in Mathematics and Science (College of the Sequoias, 1995)

Her research focuses on quantum superconducting devices, including qubits, quantum-efficient amplifiers, and optomechanical systems. She specializes in nanofabrication and integration of quantum circuits, with a focus on enabling scalable quantum networks and processors. Key contributions include experimental tests of quantum-classical boundaries and entanglement of macroscopic vibrating systems.

Recent publications highlight work in parametric coupling for superconducting circuits, high-harmonic acoustic overtones in single crystals, and scalable qubit architectures. Her work intersects quantum computing, microwave photonics, and nanomechanics.

• 2022 U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal
• 2021 Physics World Breakthrough of the Year
• 2020 NIST Patent of the Month for reticulated resonator design
• 2018 PML Distinguished Associate Award