Seminars on Quantum Computing

Seminar 1
Speaker: Dr. Trevor Lanting, Ph.D. Physics, Chief Development Officer, D-Wave
Title: Quantum Annealing Technology Development
Abstract: Quantum annealing systems are the largest quantum computers in the world and are rapidly scaling in both device count and fundamental capability. In this presentation, I will discuss one approach to annealing processor development. I will describe how this approach has resulted in the Advantage2TM, a sixth generation of quantum annealing system, emerging analog-digital protocols that will support a growing set of use cases, and a roadmap to larger scale systems.
Biography: Dr. Trevor Lanting holds a doctorate in Physics from UC Berkeley and is trained as an experimental physicist with over 15 years of experience in technology development. He leads an R&D team at D-Wave working on software, systems, cloud services, and fundamental quantum research.

Seminar 2
Speaker: Alex Condello, M. Sc. Mathematics, Vice President of Algorithms, Performance and Tools, D-Wave
Title: Quantum-classical Hybrid Optimization for Applications
Abstract: Industry is today using quantum-classical hybrid optimizers to solve commercial optimization problems for a variety of hard problems. This presentation will discuss the benefits and challenges of using quantum annealing for practical optimization; the development, capabilities, and structure of state of the art hybrid solvers; and areas of active research on the cutting edge of quantum optimization.
Biography: Alex Condello is the VP of Algorithms, Performance, and Tools at D-Wave Systems. His responsibilities include the research and development of D-Wave's quantum-classical hybrid optimizers, the Ocean open-source software development kit, and benchmarking.

Seminar 3
Speaker: Dr. Andrew King, Ph. D. Computer Science, Senior Distinguished Scientist, D-Wave
Title: Quantum simulation and optimization dynamics with quantum annealers
Abstract: Why should quantum annealing be fast? The development of annealing-based quantum processors was motivated in the 1990s by experimental evidence that disordered spin glasses---a physical manifestation of hard optimization problems---could be optimized faster by manipulating quantum fluctuations than by thermal fluctuations. In this talk I will discuss a theoretical and experimental demonstration of a quantum speedup in optimization for programmable spin glasses [Nature 2023, doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05867-2], as well as a demonstration of quantum supremacy in simulating quantum dynamics [Science 2025, doi.org/10.1126/science.ado6285].
Biography: Andrew King is a Senior Distinguished Scientist at D-Wave. He is an expert in optimization and quantum simulation with quantum annealing processors, with a background in discrete math and algorithms.

Host: Prof. Antonietta Mira

Important: Lunch will be offered at the end of the seminar series. If you will attend in person, please communicate your attendance via this form, so that we know how many pizzas to order and your pizza preference.
For online attendance, please click here.