Maria (Marilena) Longobardi is Executive Director and Scientific Coordinator of NCCR SPIN – Spin Qubits in Silicon at the University of Basel, a Swiss National Center of Competence in Research, where she also leads education and young-researcher initiatives.
She holds a PhD in Physics and built her early career as an experimental physicist, conducting research in Italy, the United States and Switzerland, before expanding her work into scientific leadership, international relations, and the development of quantum research and education ecosystems. Before joining NCCR SPIN, she was Chief of International Relations at the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (BAQIS), where she built international partnerships and strengthened global collaboration in quantum science and technology.
Longobardi is a Fellow and Council Member of the American Physical Society (APS) and has held numerous leadership roles within the Society, spanning international affairs, industrial and applied physics, and scientific engagement. She was recognized among the Inspiring Fifty women in technology in Italy and the UK and was selected for UNESCO’s Quantum 100 in 2025, recognizing individuals contributing to the development and visibility of quantum science and technology worldwide.
