Leah Phillips

After graduating from UCLA in 2020 with her B.S. in Physics, Leah joined JPL in January 2021 as a scientist with NASA’s Cold Atom Lab. She has substantial experience as a physics researcher working in high energy beamline physics at UCLA, laser physics at the Aerospace Corporation, precision measurement physics with the Quantum Science and Technologies group at JPL, and atomic physics with the Quantum Systems Engineering group at JPL. She has found her passion in experimental atomic physics, and as such she intends to pursue her Ph. D. exploring cold atom and precision measurement research.

Other interests: She minored in film & television studies and maintains a keen interest in photography and video creation. Once she finishes working, Leah loves going outdoors for hiking and rock climbing with friends. She is an avid swing dancer to big band jazz music from the early 20^th century.

Research interests: Leah’s research focus is experimental atomic physics. At JPL, she has worked under the mentorship of Dr. Nan Yu on atomic clocks and Dr. Robert Thompson on Bose Einstein Condensate research.

Projects you support at JPL: Leah works primarily with NASA’s Cold Atom Lab as an instrument operator and scientist.