As an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa, she discovered her passion for both teaching and research, which inspired her to pursue a career in academia. Fortunately, she found an exceptional mentor in Professor Monica Nevins, who guided her towards graduate studies. This mentorship ultimately led Laura to begin a master’s degree under Professor Nevins’ supervision.
“I’ve always been drawn to the logical structure of math,” Laura explains, reflecting on her decision to explore a field that combines pure mathematics with real-world applications. During her undergraduate studies, Laura’s interest in cryptography was sparked through conversations with Professor Nevins. “The more we discussed cryptography, the more intrigued she became,” Professor Nevins recalls.
For her master’s thesis, Laura focused on post-quantum cryptography: an emerging field designed to secure information against attacks from future quantum computers capable of breaking current encryption methods. Initially, she planned to analyze the security of a single cryptosystem, but within just three months, she managed to break it. This breakthrough allowed her to write her first research article, which was published in LaMathematica.
“Our work exposed vulnerabilities in an algorithm, showing how a signature could be forged more easily than initially thought,” Laura explains. This discovery not only advanced her research, but also highlighted the importance of ongoing scrutiny in cryptographic security. She then identified two additional post-quantum digital signature schemes that required security analysis as part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) initiative in the U.S., which is evaluating new proposals for post-quantum digital signature schemes from all over the world. As a result, her master’s thesis ultimately examined three distinct digital signature schemes.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had a woman mentor, which is still rare in mathematics.”
Laura Maddison
Laura distinguished herself as an exceptional student, completing her master’s thesis in just over a year and earning Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) scholarships for both her master’s and PhD studies. She won the 2024 uOttawa Mathematics and Statistics Department MSc Thesis Award in recognition of the exceptional quality of her research.
Grateful for her supervisor’s support, Laura said of Professor Nevins that “she helped me with my scholarship application, which was ultimately granted for my PhD at the University of Calgary. And of course, Professor Nevins encouraged me to attend workshops, giving me the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and gain valuable exposure. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had a woman mentor, which is still rare in mathematics. Not only did she support my academic journey, but also, she genuinely cared about me during stressful times, always providing the encouragement and positive energy I needed most.” Laura has since begun her PhD at the University of Calgary, where she continues to specialize in post-quantum cryptography, her enduring research passion.
Beyond her academic achievements, Laura leads a well-rounded life. She is a competitive Highland dancer, describing it as “an escape from research and screens”. She also enjoys hiking and camping, activities that help her maintain a healthy balance between her demanding academic work and her personal life.
Looking ahead, Laura plans to explore both the theoretical and practical aspects of cryptographic systems, with the goal of becoming a professor and continuing her research. Her journey is a testament to the power of passion, dedication and the pursuit of knowledge.
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