Zahra Hooshmand

Zahra Hooshmand is a Senior Technical Program Manager at Microsoft Quantum, bringing over 10 years of experience in computational physics. They have a robust background in simulating the electronic, optical, and chemical properties of materials, utilizing advanced methods such as Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics. Zahra's academic journey includes a PhD in Physics from the University of Central Florida, where they also served as a teaching assistant and president of the Graduate Society of Physics Students. Their research has fostered collaborations with esteemed institutions like UC Berkeley and the Max Planck Institute, resulting in multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals and several awards for their contributions to the field. Previously, Zahra worked as a research scientist and educator, emphasizing engagement through independent projects and event organization.