Williams College to Present a Lecture on the Development of Quantum Computing

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, executive assistant; tele: 413-597-4277; email: [email protected] 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., September 21, 2018—Alán Aspuru-Guzik, professor of chemistry and computer science at University of Toronto and a Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar at Williams, will give a talk on “Quantum Computing: Today and Tomorrow” at Williams College. In his talk, Aspuru-Guzik will discuss the progress of the field of quantum computing to date, as well as the current challenges, and a potential roadmap for the future of this technology. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 27, at 4:30 p.m. in Wege Auditorium, located on the ground floor of the Thompson Chemistry building.

Alán Aspuru-Guzik been involved in the development of applications for quantum computers that range from the simulation of molecules and materials to quantum machine learning. He carries out research at the interfaces of quantum information and chemistry and machine learning and chemistry. In addition, he has pioneered the development of algorithms and experimental implementations of quantum computers and dedicated quantum simulators for chemical systems.

In studying the role of quantum coherence in excitonic energy transfer in photosynthetic complexes, Aspuru-Guzik has accelerated discovery by means of computation for organic semiconductors, organic photovoltaics, organic batteries, and organic light-emitting diodes. He has worked on molecular representations and generative models for the machine learning of molecular properties. Aspuru-Guzik is currently interested in automation and “self-driving” chemical laboratories. Amongst other recognitions, he has been a recipient of the DARPA Young Faculty Award, the Sloan Research Fellowship, and was selected as a Top Innovator under 35 by the MIT Technology Review.

About the Visiting Scholars Program

Since 1956, the Phi Beta Kappa Society’s Visiting Scholar Program has been offering undergraduates the opportunity to spend time with some of America’s most distinguished scholars. The purpose of the program is to contribute to the intellectual life of the institution by making possible an exchange of ideas between the Visiting Scholars and the resident faculty and students. Participants during the academic year of 2018-2019 will visit more than 90 colleges and universities with chapters of Phi Beta Kappa, spending two days on each campus and taking full part in the academic life of the institution.

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For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Communications 413-597-4277. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/map

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Published September 21, 2018