Dr. Lotte Mertens
- Principal Data Scientist at Valcon
- Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Physics at IFW Dresden and the University of Amsterdam
- Independent Speaker on quantum physics, black holes and everyday physics
At Valcon I deliver AI and data solutions across real estate, finance, and automotive sectors. After my PhD in theoretical physics (cum laude, University of Amsterdam, 2024) I continue part-time research at IFW Dresden and the University of Amsterdam, and I love bringing physics to audiences of every kind.
Speaking
All talksLooking for a speaker on quantum physics, black holes or everyday physics? I'm available to book as an independent speaker.
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Quantum entanglement: the most mysterious connection of all
I had the honor of speaking at DUS (“De Ultieme Show”) about quantum entanglement. Many parts of quantum physics are actually not that weird: we can understand them just by looking at everyday phenomena around us. But in the end, quantum mechanics does have strange qualities that are a little bit like magic!
AI Inspiration Carousel, Liander
With colleagues from Valcon and Accenture, on accelerating the energy transition with AI.
Viva Fysica
The quantum measurement problem. Watch the video (Dutch)
DPG Meeting, Regensburg
Thermalisation by a synthetic horizon.
Recent highlights
On the 31st of January 2024 I defended my PhD thesis cum laude: "Breaking boundaries: Charge density waves, quantum measurement, and black holes in theoretical physics" — completing my doctorate in just three years. The thesis is available at UvA Dare.
I collaborated with Catarina Cunha and Megumi Arai to publish a children’s book about black holes, available at Amazon. "Alicia’s Discoveries: Black Hole" weaves the marvels of astrophysics with the wonders of our world into an enlightening journey for young readers.
We published a popular science article on the weirdness of quantum physics at Scientific American.
Our article "Thermalization by a synthetic horizon" was picked up by international media (Altmetric), leading to interviews with MDR Wissen, the Voice of America, IOP news, IFW News and Kidsweek.
A popular-science article about my research on the quantum measurement problem was published in Amsterdam Science. You can download it here, or read the full issue at amsterdamscience.org.
I received the Lorentz Graduation Award for Theoretical Physics, awarded annually by the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities, for my master’s thesis on the relation between quantum mechanics at the microscopic level and the measurements we make of it at much larger scales. Source: UvA