PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Ping Koy Lam

Also known as Koy Lam

Ping Koy Lam is a quantum physicist whose research applies machine learning to quantum random-number testing and atom-trap experiments. He earned a mathematics and physics degree at Auckland, worked as an engineer at Sony and Hewlett-Packard, and completed an experimental-physics PhD at ANU. His career spans quantum teleportation and cryptography, a visiting professorship in Paris, and co-founding QuintessenceLabs as an ANU quantum-communications venture. He shared Eureka Prizes for teleportation and cryptography, received the 2014 Alan Walsh Medal, and became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2020. As of October 2026, he is A*STAR's Chief Quantum Scientist and an NTU Distinguished Fellow.

Works
643

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026. Citations and h-index are hidden because this OpenAlex record may be incomplete or mix in other authors.

Timeline

  1. 1990–1999

    A start in physics

    He earns a mathematics and physics degree at the University of Auckland in 1990 and works as a process engineer for Sony and Hewlett-Packard for three years.

  2. 1999–2000

    A PhD and early honors

    He completes an experimental-physics PhD at ANU and receives the Australian Institute of Physics Bragg Medal and the ANU Crawford Prize in 1999. In 2000, he becomes an Alexander von Humboldt fellow at Erlangen-Nürnberg.

  3. 2003–2008

    Eureka Prizes and a company

    In 2003, he and Warwick Bowen win the British Council Eureka Prize for quantum teleportation; his quantum-cryptography work earns the UNSW Eureka Prize in 2006. He becomes a CNRS visiting professor at Paris University in 2007. QuintessenceLabs forms as an ANU commercial venture in 2008, and he is its chief scientist and co-founder.

  4. 2014–2020

    An industry medal and fellowship

    He receives the AIP Alan Walsh Medal for service to industry in 2014 and is elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2020.

  5. 2019

    Machine learning tests a quantum RNG

    In 2019, he co-authors a study that uses predictive machine learning to detect correlations linked to classical noise in an optical continuous-variable quantum random-number generator.

  6. 2022

    A neural network tunes atom traps

    He co-authors a 2022 study that lets an artificial neural network control laser cooling for optical nanofiber traps; the setup raises peak optical depth by 66%.

  7. As of October 2026

    A*STAR chief quantum scientist

    In 2025, he serves as A*STAR's Chief Scientist for Quantum. As of October 2026, he is an A*STAR Chief Quantum Scientist and an NTU Distinguished Fellow.

Sources and credits

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  1. Professor Ping Koy Lam - RSPE - ANU physics.anu.edu.au. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. 2000 - 2009 Eureka Prize winners - The Australian Museum australian.museum. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Australian cyber-security firm wins global award | ANU College of Science and Medicine science.anu.edu.au. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Ping Koy Lam - ANU Reporter reporter.anu.edu.au. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Ping Koy Lam | Australian Academy of Science science.org.au. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. [1905.02342] Machine Learning Cryptanalysis of a Quantum Random Number Generator arxiv.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Machine learner optimization of optical nanofiber-based dipole traps - The Australian National University researchportalplus.anu.edu.au. Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. A*STAR Career Development Fund (CDF) Day 2025 | Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) on Glue Up a-star-engagementportal.glueup.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  9. IAS NTU Distinguished Fellows | Institute of Advanced Studies | NTU Singapore ntu.edu.sg. Checked 15 October 2026.