Speakers:

We outline how innovations in the software stack force-multiply progress in both quantum computing and quantum software. Our presentation reflects on Infleqtion’s experience building Superstaq, a quantum software platform that optimizes the execution of quantum programs by tailoring to underlying hardware primitives. We find that software optimizations deliver 10x boosts to performance that equate to years of hardware progress. We also reflect on gaps in the current-state-of-art that motivate novel software approaches to tackle new challenges in quantum technology. 

Dr. Fred Chong is the Seymour Goodman Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Chicago and the Chief Scientist for Quantum Software at Infleqtion. He is also Lead Principal Investigator for the EPiQC Project (Enabling Practical-scale Quantum Computing), an NSF Expedition in Computing. Chong is a member of the National Quantum Advisory Committee (NQIAC) which provides advice to the President on the National Quantum Initiative Program. In 2020, he co-founded Super.tech, a quantum software company, which was acquired by Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta) in 2022. Chong received his Ph.D. from MIT in 1996 and was a faculty member and Chancellor’s fellow at UC Davis from 1997-2005. He was also a Professor of Computer Science, Director of Computer Engineering, and Director of the Greenscale Center for Energy-Efficient Computing at UCSB from 2005-2015. He is a fellow of the ACM and the IEEE, a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, the Intel Outstanding Researcher Award, and 16 best paper awards. He is also a recipient of the Quantrell Award, the oldest undergraduate teaching award in the United States, as well as the University of Chicago’s Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award. His research interests include emerging technologies for computing, quantum computing, multicore and embedded architectures, computer security, and sustainable computing. 

Dr. Caitlin Carnahan is the Vice President for Quantum Software at Infleqtion. She obtained her Ph.D. in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University under the guidance of Prof. Di Xiao, with a focus on quantum and classical characterization of spin-mediated transport in topologically non-trivial systems. She also holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Florida State University, where she also earned her undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Physics. Prior to joining Infleqtion, Dr. Carnahan was a Principal Scientist in the Detection Systems group at Physical Sciences Inc., working on several computational and machine learning-driven projects in the domain of sensing and data fusion. Additionally, she has served as a faculty member in the Computer Science department at Florida State University, teaching various topics related to low-level computer organization and design. Dr. Carnahan’s expertise in leading and managing complex technical projects – as well as communicating deeply technical results with external stakeholders – is being leveraged at Infleqtion to support the growing role of quantum software solutions.

Zoom for Government enables ATARC remote collaboration opportunities through its cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chats and webinars across all devices. Allowing for individuals from all areas of government, industry and academia to communicate directly. 

*** ATARC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. Program Level: Overview, no prerequisites required. Advance preparation: none. Delivery Method: Group Internet Based. Field of Study: Information Technology. Registration #140762. In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits have been granted based on a 50-minute hour. Refund, cancellation and complaint resolution policy.