Hari Priya Pettugani

Born to a dancer and a mathematician, I was always drawn to nature’s beauty that quietly hides simple science. Growing up in this blend of artistry and analytics, I became captivated by the science veiled in nature’s beauty — driven not by accolades, but by the joy of uncovering its secrets.   

Now, as an industrial PhD student at MOTH and the University of Basel, I explore quantum reservoir computing, finding artistic and visual expressions of quantum technologies in art, gaming, and digital graphics. For me, discovery isn’t confined to the lab — it’s in every step, rhythm, and question that connects the beauty of art with the wonder of science. This passion also led me to be featured in the NCCR SPIN article “Dancing with Pauli”, where I helped bring quantum concepts to life through dance, blending science and art in a poetic performance.                              

Dance hasn’t stopped either. I earned my classical dance diploma in college and still practice it alongside my research. Travel is my escape—I wander through countries listening to nature’s sounds, dancing in local spaces, journaling my thoughts, and filming short clips that turn trails into my stage. I realized science and art aren’t rivals—they’re partners, turning every experience into movement, sound, and story.