GAIN funding is directly supporting Moshelem Molho López’s Industrial PhD at Gradiant, focusing on the critical role of quantum memories in future quantum communication networks. “Gradiant gives me the opportunity to develop into a leading expert in a strategic field of quantum technologies,” he says, a sentiment emphasised by his recent participation in QCrypt 2026 in Ottawa, his first international conference.
Gradiant Supports Molho López’s Quantum Communications PhD Research
This commitment to an Industrial PhD, coordinated by Gradiant, represents a deliberate effort to bridge academic research with tangible technological development in a rapidly evolving field. The funding allows for a beneficial scenario, according to Gradiant, encouraging both fundamental knowledge generation and the advancement of quantum communication technology. Molho López’s thesis, titled “Quantum-Memory Mediated Quantum Conference Key Agreement,” aims to establish a method for secure key distribution among multiple users, using the unique properties of quantum memories to improve efficiency.
The project benefits from a collaborative framework involving Universidade de Vigo, with Marcos Curty, Director of the Vigo Quantum Communication Center, serving as a co-supervisor. Curty’s expertise in quantum communication protocol security and design complements Gradiant’s engineering focus, creating what the company describes as an ideal environment for research.
This partnership allows Gradiant to integrate academic rigor into its development process, ensuring the work is firmly grounded in established scientific principles, the company says. Miguel Ferreira at Gradiant provides direct supervision of the thesis, guiding the experimental and theoretical investigations. He noted the event revealed the breadth of research within quantum cryptography, identifying potential avenues for future investigation that align with Gradiant’s technological roadmap.
More significantly, the conference allowed him to establish personal connections with researchers previously known only through published papers, solidifying his integration into the international quantum community. Molho López’s progression at Gradiant, beginning with an internship and continuing as a research engineer, demonstrates a clear trajectory toward specialization in quantum technologies.
His initial work encompassed quantum system simulation, quantum memories, sensing, quantum computing, and quantum-inspired techniques, providing a broad foundation for his doctoral research, according to the company. “I can summarise the essence of the work by saying that we aim to enable a secret key, which can be used to secure communications, to be distributed among several users, and to do so efficiently by using quantum memories,” Molho López explained.
The GAIN-funded PhD program at Gradiant is designed to support innovation and accelerate the development of practical quantum communication technologies, positioning the company as a key player in this transformative field, the firm reports. The combination of internal expertise, academic collaboration, and dedicated funding creates a strong foundation for future advancements, potentially clearing the way for more secure and efficient communication networks. Moshelem Molho López, Research Engineer in Communications and Sensing, said, “Gradiant gives me the opportunity to develop into a leading expert in a strategic field of quantum technologies”.
Gradiant gives me the opportunity to develop into a leading expert in a strategic field of quantum technologies.
Early Career Progression: From Intern to Research Engineer
The company’s strategy of internal expertise development facilitated this advancement, allowing Molho López to build upon his foundational knowledge within a practical, industry-focused environment. Gradiant’s commitment to encouraging talent extended further with the support of funding from GAIN, enabling Molho López to pursue an Industrial PhD beginning in late 2025, focused on the application of quantum memories within quantum communication networks.
Quantum System Simulation & Laser “Tuning” at Gradiant
Gradiant’s work with quantum-system simulation directly informs experimental validation within its own laboratories, a confluence Moshelem Molho López began exploring in January 2023 as an intern after completing his Physics degree at the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Initially focused on modeling quantum systems, Molho López’s work centered on simulating the subtle interactions of atoms and light used to precisely tune laboratory lasers, a process he likened to refining a sophisticated musical instrument.
This early simulation work laid the foundation for his Master’s thesis, which investigated optical quantum memories designed to store and release photons on demand within atomic vapor, a project he described as yielding a “deep understanding” of these systems. Molho López transitioned to a permanent research engineer role in September 2024, expanding his focus to include NV centers, sensitive to magnetic fields and Rydberg atoms capable of detecting weak electromagnetic fields.
He embarked on his Industrial PhD, supported by GAIN funding. The company’s investment in both strong experimental facilities and quantum technology laboratories enables a direct translation of simulated concepts into concrete, testable problems, Gradiant reports. This advancement relies on the quantum phenomenon of entanglement, a key focus of Gradiant’s efforts in quantum communication networks. “One consequence of this work will be to make protocols beyond the well-known Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) schemes viable,” Molho López stated, emphasizing the potential for more complex and versatile secure communication methods.
Gradiant’s commitment to this area, facilitated through collaboration with the Universidade de Vigo, demonstrates a strategic alignment between academic research and practical application. Gradiant gains access to research grounded in fundamental academic knowledge, while simultaneously encouraging internal expertise in a rapidly developing field.
MQIST Master’s Fuels Expertise in Quantum Technologies
Molho López’s initial work at Gradiant involved modeling and simulating quantum systems, a process he described as “tuning” lasers to exploit quantum properties for demanding experiments. This early experience, coupled with enrollment in the MQIST program, a collaborative effort between Galicia’s three universities, allowed him to explore disciplines including quantum communications, optics, sensing and thermodynamics. He observed a strong sense of community within the field, noting the willingness of researchers to share progress and discuss results, a dynamic he experienced firsthand at QCrypt 2026.
“Seeing in person the people whose names appear at the top of a paper or review article you have been working with for months, and feeling that you are part of a wider community, gives all of this a profoundly human dimension,” Molho López stated. The integration of industrial challenges into academic research is a key feature of Molho López’s PhD program.
Gradiant’s focus on simulating realistic, complex systems, rather than idealized scenarios, bridges the gap between theoretical work and practical implementation. The company’s quantum technologies area is experiencing rapid growth, a trend mirrored by increased participation in these collaborative projects. Gradiant’s quantum technologies team is characterized by its diversity, encompassing both experienced personnel guiding strategic direction and newer researchers contributing to technological development, by the company’s account.
“Gradiant are investing in technological areas in which Gradiant can differentiate itself within today’s technology ecosystem,” Molho López explained, highlighting a deliberate strategy to cultivate unique advantages. This investment extends beyond simply pursuing innovation. It’s about identifying specific niches where Gradiant can excel.
This capability facilitates a direct connection between research and real-world applications, enabling the development of solutions tailored to specific industrial needs. Molho López emphasized the importance of this connection, noting that complex, real-world problems are inherent to industrial work. The focus on differentiation through investment in specific technological areas suggests a long-term commitment to establishing a leadership position in the field building on the foundation laid by programs like MQIST and the support of initiatives like GAIN.
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