Ana Maria Rey, PhD, is a Colombian-born theoretical physicist whose groundbreaking work is shaping the future of quantum science. After completing her undergraduate studies in Colombia, she earned her PhD in physics from the University of Maryland and went on to work at NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) before joining the faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder. Rey is internationally recognized for her work on ultracold atoms, optical lattice clocks, and quantum simulations—research that underpins both fundamental physics and emerging quantum technologies. She has earned many honors, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the Blavatnik National Award for Young Scientists and election to the US National Academy of Sciences. Her pioneering work in quantum physics has established her as both a leader in her field and a role model for women and Latin Americans in science.
