Dr Sally Shrapnel became one of Australia's leading scientists in her area after taking a quantum leap

*Dr Sally Shrapnel is one of Australia's leading quantum scientists. (Supplied: EQUS)*

After more than two decades as a general practitioner, Sally Shrapnel took a quantum leap to become a full-time physicist.

Based at the University of Queensland, she’s since become one of Australia’s leading quantum scientists.

Before transitioning to science full-time, Dr Shrapnel split her week between working as a doctor and writing her PhD on exploring the mysteries behind quantum theory.

The associate professor's interest in the fundamental laws of the universe began at a young age.

Dr Shrapnel grew up in a house full of science fiction books and would devour each one at a rapid pace.

"I've always been fascinated [by] really, kind of, outrageous science ideas,"

Her favourite book from her childhood was John Wyndham's 1960 Trouble with Lichen, which centred around a young female biochemist.

"I was about eight or nine [years old] when I read that, but just this idea of a female scientist was pretty cool," Dr Shrapnel said.

Her curiosity about how the world worked and a desire to find scientific explanations continued into adulthood.

Dr Shrapnel had planned to be a radiologist, but while studying for her radiology exam, she fell in love with working as a GP in the small regional town of Bothwell in Tasmania.

"It was the first time I got to ... really put into practice all the stuff I'd learnt," she said.

Her career as a general practitioner led to her working across Tasmania, Queensland, and the United Kingdom.

But while she enjoyed the social side of working as a doctor, she was missing the "techie" aspects of science.

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