If at first you don’t succeed: Outstanding grad’s perseverance pays off

Hero Trent

Failing Calculus 1 during her first semester wasn’t exactly how Hero Trent hoped to start her college career at CU Boulder. But she faced the challenge head on, and now she’s seeing the results of her hard work and determination.

This fall, she’s not only graduating with her degree in engineering physics — Trent was also named the Outstanding Graduate in Engineering Physics, selected as a Quantum Scholar, completed a research project on fiber optic phase noise stabilization, and landed a job as an optical engineer at Quantinuum.

A rocky start

Trent was always interested in engineering but wasn’t sure about the specific field she wanted to pursue. “I took college classes in high school because I really loved learning, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do at the time,” said Trent.

She completed an Associate of Science degree at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. When she transferred to CU Boulder, she considered aerospace or environmental engineering. Still undecided, she started in exploratory studies.

“My first semester at CU Boulder, I took Calculus 1 and totally bombed it. I had never failed a class before – it was heart-wrenching,” she said. Trent knew she had to learn calculus if she wanted to do anything engineering-related. 

“I forced myself to like it and spent 10 hours a day studying calculus over winter break” she said.

Determined, she took Calculus 1 again in the spring and earned an A. With a newfound love for math, Trent became a learning assistant for the course the following semester and started tutoring other students. 

She also looked for a major where she could apply math. “I had always been interested in physics but thought I couldn’t handle it because of the rigorous math,” said Trent. “But I kept hearing that physics is basically applied calculus, so I decided to take my first physics class.”

Her academic advisor suggested the engineering physics major might be a good fit, combining her interests in engineering and physics. She went for it and discovered her passion along the way.

Quantum Scholars provides connections

Fast forward to spring 2024, Trent first heard about the Quantum Scholars program from Keith Molenaar, dean of engineering, at a Donuts with the Dean event. “He asked what my major was and then asked if I was part of Quantum Scholars,” said Trent.

Another nudge came when her history and philosophy of physics professor, Mike Ritzwoller, recommended that she apply. 

The Quantum Scholars program helps undergraduates learn more about the quantum field and industry, provides professional development opportunities and community, and offers scholarships supported by alumni, industry and external partners.

She took their advice, applied, and joined Quantum Scholars in fall 2024. Ritzwoller, who co-founded Quantum Scholars with Molenaar, said he was “truly delighted” when she was selected.

Trent received a Jennifer Turner-Valle Quantum scholarship for her participation in Quantum Scholars, in honor of the late Dr. Turner-Valle, an engineering physics alumna.

While the scholarship helped, Trent still had to work while she was attending school. “For a while, I was working at Starbucks from 4 a.m. until noon and then I’d come to class after. I just had to accept that I was going to be busy,” she said.

Ritzwoller was impressed that she was working full time while also carrying a full academic load. “Even with those demands, she was an outstanding student,” he said.

Taking full advantage of what Quantum Scholars had to offer, Trent attended talks by leading quantum scientists and industry leaders, joined Women of Quantum meetings, and toured local quantum companies. 

A research opportunity

For her engineering physics major, Trent took an introduction to electrical engineering class in fall 2024, taught by Professor Scott Diddams. That class opened the door to a research position.

“Hero immediately stood out as one of the most inquisitive, focused, and thoughtful students in the class,” said Diddams.  “When she asked about a research position in my group, I didn’t hesitate to welcome her.”

Her research project focused on transmitting highly stable optical and millimeter wave signals through fiber. This research plays an important role in improving long-distance communication and precision timing systems used in modern technologies.

Trent explains, “as frequencies of light travel through optical fiber, different changes in pressure and temperature, or external effects, change the phase of the light. So, I build systems to stabilize it.”

This has been done for a single wavelength of light, but Diddams noted, “our research on generating and distributing millimeter waves requires sending two wavelengths through the same fiber.” He praised Trent’s “persistence and ingenuity” in testing several solutions before arriving at the best approach.

The project gave her hands on experience with lasers, fiber optics, electronics, control systems, and measuring phase fluctuations — all of which will be useful as she enters the quantum industry.

Perseverance and connection

As she reflects on her journey, Trent says the most important lessons she learned are perseverance and connection. And graduating from college represents her hard work paying off. 

Trent was named Outstanding Graduate in Engineering Physics at the Department of Physics Recognition Ceremony, in recognition of her academic achievement and research experience.

“I wanted to give up regularly, but this represents that I can put my mind to something and follow through with it,” she said. 

For future students, Trent recommends getting involved in a project or a relevant job outside of the classroom and stresses the importance for both graduate school and industry. “Your degree is your ticket to have a seat at the table, but you need to prove that you can actually do things.”

What’s next?

Trent has certainly proven herself. Connections she made through Quantum Scholars and her research project in the Diddams lab helped land her a job as an optical engineer at Quantinuum. She starts in January.

“It was a long journey that involved a lot of failure and picking myself back up, but I think I’ve found my passion, and I’m so glad I persevered,” she said. “I think everybody can do this if they choose to.”