UChicago student builds quantum skills at PsiQuantum this summer

PsiQuantum is developing quantum computers using silicon photonics to create fault-tolerant systems. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering PhD student Qiaohong (Joanna) Wang is spending her summer with the company, shifting focus from the near-term quantum algorithms of her doctoral research. “I believe quantum computing can transform several fields over the next 10 to 20 years by enabling new approaches to problems that are impossible for classical computers,” Wang said, anticipating advances in chemistry, materials science, drug discovery, and energy through more accurate modeling of complex quantum systems.

Wang’s PsiQuantum Internship Expands Quantum Computing Skillset

PsiQuantum is constructing quantum computers utilizing silicon photonics, a technological path distinct from many competitors focusing on superconducting or trapped ion systems. Wang’s work at PsiQuantum differs from her PhD research, allowing her to gain expertise in fault-tolerant quantum computation, a framework designed to correct errors inherent in quantum systems, rather than the near-term quantum algorithms she typically investigates. This broadening of her knowledge base reflects a proactive approach to the evolving field of quantum technologies.

The internship provides Wang with an opportunity to apply her existing background in quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry while also immersing herself in a different computational paradigm. PsiQuantum’s emphasis on fault tolerance requires a unique theoretical and computational approach, challenging Wang to expand her understanding of the entire quantum computing stack.

She notes this experience has deepened her appreciation for how various approaches may contribute to future breakthroughs in both chemistry and materials science, moving beyond the limitations of classical computational methods. This exposure to a different framework is not merely academic; it’s designed to equip her with the tools to address a wider range of complex scientific problems.

Wang anticipates quantum computing will fundamentally alter multiple fields within the next decade or two, enabling solutions to problems currently intractable for even the most powerful supercomputers. Beyond her immediate research, Wang envisions a future role bridging the gap between academic discovery and practical application in quantum science and engineering, continuing to develop quantum algorithms tailored for chemistry and materials science, and contributing to technologies that address critical challenges in energy, medicine, and sustainability.

This ambition underscores her commitment to translating scientific breakthroughs into tangible real-world impact and fostering collaboration between research institutions and industry partners.