Welcome to our new series showcasing The Coding School’s alumni and their ongoing contributions to emerging technologies. This first feature delves into the quantum journeys of Jade LeSchack and Dhruv Srinivasan, alumni of our Qubit by Qubit initiative and current students at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD). We’ll explore their paths into the field of quantum science, discuss their work and achievements, and preview the upcoming Bitcamp hackathon quantum track, which they will be running with curriculum powered by Qubit by Qubit.
Jade, Dhruv– thanks so much for joining us this morning! To start off, could you both introduce yourselves by describing your academic focus and aspirations within your fields?
Jade LeSchack (J): Hello, I’m Jade, a third-year student at UMD, where I am pursuing degrees in physics and mathematics. My academic journey is steering towards a PhD in quantum science or physics, where I aspire to become a leader within the quantum industry. Specifically, I aim to conduct groundbreaking research and perhaps take on a leadership role that allows me to make strategic decisions influencing the direction of quantum studies at a major institution.
Dhruv Srinivasan (D): I’m Dhruv, also a third-year student at UMD. I study physics and mechanical engineering. There are two components to my career vision: first, I am deeply interested in the academic side, especially in building and experimenting within the fields of photonics or a similar domain. Additionally, I want to remain actively involved in community building and outreach to make the quantum field more inclusive and accessible, improving upon the initial exclusivity seen in the computing arena.
Can you each share how you first became interested in quantum information science and how you’ve gotten more involved in quantum since?
J: My interest in quantum began in my senior year of high school when a family friend working in IBM’s quantum division suggested I take Qubit by Qubit’s Introduction to Quantum Computing two-semester course. This was during the year impacted by COVID-19, and with the shift to virtual learning, I had a lot of extra time to explore new subjects so I decided to see what quantum was all about. As I learned how mathematical concepts I was familiar with could apply to quantum computing, as well as the potential of quantum advantage and quantum’s applications, I became instantly hooked. After the course, I decided to change my intended course of study in college from bioengineering to physics and looked for other ways to get more involved in quantum. And then when I got to college, I realized that UMD lacked a student organization focused on quantum science, so I started the Undergraduate Quantum Association (UQA) to fill this gap. My goal was to create a community where like-minded individuals could explore quantum concepts and their applications. This initiative not only brought together students from various disciplines but also connected them with academic and professional opportunities in the field. UQA has been a success, growing each semester and continuously fostering a welcoming and informative environment.
Over the past few years I’ve also conducted quantum research with two different groups. Currently, I am researching quantum thermodynamics with Professor Nicole Yunger Halpern where we explore how quantum systems exchange energy and other properties with their surroundings, which could influence the development of quantum memories (among other applications). I plan to continue this research in my final year of college.
D: I love hearing Jade’s story, in part because it is connected to mine! My initial major was in mechanical engineering and music, focusing on robotics and the automation of musical instruments production. My pivot to quantum occurred when I participated in the Quantum Track of UMD’s 2022 Bitcamp hackathon, which was also taught by the Qubit by Qubit team. Meeting the vibrant community there, including the Qubit by Qubit team, piqued my interest in quantum as a new and exciting field. After that bootcamp, I started pivoting toward physics, and to complement what I was learning in school, I concurrently took Qubit by Qubit’s two-semester Intro to Quantum Computing course.
I also met an incredible research advisor, and since then have been conducting quantum research in photonics under Professor Avik Dutt where we’re working to enhance the scalability of quantum computing. One way we’re doing this is by using photonics to develop scalable models of complex phenomena, which could potentially be integrated with existing technological infrastructures, making quantum computing more accessible.
Finally, I have taken on a leadership role within the UQA to help organize Bitcamp’s quantum track. I helped organize it last year, and am running the upcoming quantum track again this year!
Thank you both for sharing! It is quite impressive to see how much you both have learned and accomplished in so little time. The next question is for you, Jade: as a young leader in a field historically dominated by men, have you faced any challenges as a woman in quantum, and how have you navigated them?
J: My experience has been overwhelmingly positive. I have not encountered sexism, and I’ve been treated equally, which isn’t always the case in STEM fields. However, women definitely are underrepresented in quantum, which has made the connections I’ve formed with other women in the field incredibly significant. These relationships are not only inspiring but also supportive, as we share similar goals and help each other face comparable challenges.
Dhruv, turning back to you, could you elaborate on Bitcamp and its role in the quantum community? In other words, what is UQA trying to accomplish in running the quantum track?
D: Certainly! Bitcamp is a weekend-long hackathon that provides a platform for students to dive into different tech tracks, one of which is quantum computing. The event is structured to welcome individuals at all skill levels, from beginners to those more advanced. Our primary aim is to demystify quantum computing and show students that you don’t need a strong programming background to start learning about quantum technologies. Our approach is to teach students the information they need and then encourage hands-on learning and experimentation, which we believe is the best way to spark interest in the quantum field.
That sounds like an excellent approach, and one we are proud to be a part of at Qubit by Qubit. Who can attend or get involved with Bitcamp’s quantum track, and how can they do so?
D: Bitcamp will be taking place in person on UMD’s campus April 19-21, and any high school or university student in the DMV region is welcome to register! We also seek local mentors to help guide new learners throughout the weekend – anyone who is interested in this can email me. Finally, the UQA is always looking for students locally and nationally to help organize future Bitcamps! This involvement doesn’t require prior quantum experience, making it an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in supporting the growing quantum community and learning more about the field.
As we look ahead, what are your immediate plans and longer-term aspirations in quantum?
J: I’m currently studying abroad in Switzerland at ETH Zurich, a leading institution for quantum research. My plan is to continue my studies and research in quantum thermodynamics back at UMD during the summer. Longer-term, I’m looking forward to applying to PhD programs this fall.
D: This summer, I’ll be returning to IBM Quantum, working closely with their quantum deployment team. I’m also preparing for graduate school applications and presenting work at the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, as I am committed to a career in research. My goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of quantum technology, making it more integrated and functional within our existing technological infrastructure.
Finally, what advice would you give to those just starting out or interested in exploring quantum science?
J: Quantum is a vast and evolving field. My advice is to follow your curiosity and let your interests guide you, rather than be guided by what you think you need to be doing.You could go become a pilot for four years just because you love it, and then go into quantum at the intersections of quantum and aerospace. The interdisciplinary nature of quantum means that insights can come from various fields, so exploring what you love broadly can provide unique perspectives and opportunities in quantum computing. At the end of the day, no one has a linear path through quantum, so just keep following your goals in the present.
D: I would second what Jade said, and also say to reach out to the quantum community! People in the quantum community are some of the most passionate people I’ve met, and they are very excited to share their knowledge and experience.
J: Absolutely. One last thing to add is that everyone’s path to quantum really is different! Plenty of people we know are working in quantum jobs at companies as physicists, so it definitely is not required. For both of us, it was a very personal decision based on our interests and goals.
D: I couldn’t agree more! Ultimately, if you want to change the world, and want to work on something that will change the world, what better place to do it than in quantum?
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This year’s Bitcamp will be taking place the weekend of April 19-21, 2024 at the Reckord Armory on UMD’s campus. If you are a high school or university student living in the DMV region and are interested in attending, you can learn more about it here. Note: please register for Bitcamp’s quantum track by emailing umd.uqa@gmail.com.
If you are interested in organizing future quantum tracks for Bitcamp or becoming a mentor for this or future events, please also email umd.uqa@gmail.com.
