Sanskriti Deva: Quantum Engineer & Advocate for Women in STEM
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. In this electrifying episode, we’re joined by Sanskriti Deva—a quantum engineer, student leader, and elected representative at the United Nations. Sanskriti is currently a senior in Computer and Electrical Engineering at North Carolina State University, where she leads multiple student organizations focused on women in engineering and quantum research.
At just 17, Sanskriti made history by becoming the youngest and first South Asian person elected to the United Nations Council. Her journey, from discovering quantum computing to teaching thousands of students, is rooted in a passion for equity, education, and future-forward science.
“Quantum computing is like being part of the internet’s first steps—each code is a new frontier.” – Sanskriti Deva
In this episode, we explore Sanskriti’s work as a design research intern at IBM, her leadership in the Quantum Information Club, and her advocacy for broader access to quantum education. She emphasizes the need to make emerging tech like quantum computing accessible to high school students and underrepresented communities—bridging the gap between academia and real-world impact.
The conversation also dives into her work with the United Nations. Sanskriti explains how young people can engage with local and global decision-making, and how the UN’s mission to "think globally, act locally" has shaped her own vision for community-based change.
We also address the weight of imposter syndrome in STEM. Sanskriti shares candid insights on how she’s overcome self-doubt and the strategies she uses to reclaim confidence in high-pressure spaces.