What does the next generation of deep tech leadership look like? In this episode of the fAQ podcast, Tai-Danae sits down with Natashia Kaur Raina, a senior at IIT Madras and a rising star in the quantum computing space. From growing up in a house filled wall-to-wall with books in Chennai, India, to balancing a myriad of professional and academic roles, Natashia shares where her incredible drive comes from.

We dive into how an early love for astrophysics paved the way for her fascination with quantum mechanics. Natashia discusses the moment she realized she needed to start her own YouTube channel in December 2023 to help democratize quantum education. She also walks us through her current endeavors, including her work as a quantum security research engineer at Vyapati, building her EdTech startup NucleQi, and writing upcoming books on quantum machine learning and cryptography. She also opens up about the dangers of overthinking and shares the leadership maturity she’s developed to achieve extreme focus—learning to stop worrying about the future, quiet her mind, and give 100% of her energy to the present moment.

Whether you're a student trying to break into deep tech or just someone looking for motivation to stop overthinking and start doing, Natashia's ambition—which stretches all the way to dreams of a Nobel Prize—will leave you inspired.

Links

• Follow Natashia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-kaur-raina-b2922622a/
• Subscribe to her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatashiaKaurRaina/videos
• Watch Natashia’s first, and most popular, video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCkYT5VIQLQ

About this podcast

This podcast is hosted by Tai-Danae Bradley and features the stories of amazing people working in science and technology at SandboxAQ and beyond. All curious humans are invited to join!

Want to get in touch? Write us at [email protected]

For previous episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/@sandboxaq