Quantum Builders: Fireside chats with quantum experts

Irfan Siddiqi | Building Quantum Systems from Measurement Up

JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT WITH IRFAN SIDDIQI Quantum computing is no longer defined solely by qubits — it’s increasingly shaped by how we measure, control, and integrate entire systems. Many of the breakthroughs driving progress today, from high-fidelity readout to real-time feedback, stem from advances in quantum measurement science. These capabilities are critical to scaling quantum processors and enabling practical error correction.At [http://correction.At] the same time, innovation is being accelerated by regional ecosystems and national initiatives, where universities, national laboratories, and industry work together to build scalable quantum platforms. California has emerged as a leading hub in this model, anchored by UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, alongside a rapidly expanding startup landscape. In this conversation, Prof. Irfan Siddiqi — Professor at UC Berkeley, Faculty Scientist at Berkeley Lab, and Director of the Advanced Quantum Testbed — brings a firsthand perspective from the forefront of the field. A pioneer of quantum measurement science and real-time quantum control, his work bridges foundational physics, system engineering, and large-scale collaboration.

Lieven Vandersypen | Building Silicon Spin Quantum Processors

JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT WITH LIEVEN VANDERSYPEN Semiconductor spin qubits promise scalable quantum computing, blending long-lived spin physics with semiconductor fabrication. Over the past two decades, Lieven Vandersypen has been at the forefront of this journey—pushing qubit control, larger processors, and architecture-aware experiments, while helping Delft become a model quantum ecosystem. This conversation offers a rare chance to hear from a scientist shaping both the field and the path from research to real-world quantum technology.

Kyle Serniak | Materials, Noise, and Quantum Hardware at MIT Lincoln Laboratory

JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT WITH KYLE SERNIAK Quantum computing progress ultimately depends on the performance of the hardware that powers it. Behind every qubit lies a complex interplay of materials science, device physics, fabrication processes, and subtle noise mechanisms that determine how well quantum systems actually work. In this fireside conversation, Dr. Kyle Serniak of MIT Lincoln Laboratory will explore how researchers engineer better superconducting qubits and study the physical limits of quantum hardware. We’ll discuss the role of materials and fabrication in qubit performance, the work happening inside MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the SQUILL Foundry, and what it takes to train the next generation of quantum hardware engineers.

David Awschalom | From Spintronics to Quantum Engineering: Building the Chicago Quantum Ecosystem

JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DAVID AWSCHALOM Iiew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (University of Chicago); Director of the Chicago Quantum Institute; Founding Director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE); Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory; and Inaugural Director of Q-NEXT, the U.S. Department of Energy Quantum Information Science Research Center. Quantum technology is transitioning from breakthrough laboratory experiments to engineered, scalable systems. The regions that will lead this next phase are those that successfully integrate foundational science, shared infrastructure, and collaborative models that can operate at national scale. In this Fireside Chat, David Awschalom—one of the world’s leading solid-state quantum scientists and ecosystem builders—shares insights from his journey from spintronics research to the creation of one of the most influential quantum hubs in the world. Drawing on his experience across academia, national laboratories, and large DOE initiatives, he offers a rare perspective on how quantum platforms mature and how durable ecosystems are built.

Charles (Chuck) Black | Building Quantum Advantage: Inside Brookhaven’s Quantum Ecosystem

Join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat with Charles (Chuck) Black, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director, Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Director of the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA). Quantum technology is rapidly evolving from isolated research projects into coordinated, large-scale national initiatives. National laboratories are at the forefront of this transformation, connecting cutting-edge science, advanced infrastructure, and long-term strategy. In this Fireside Chat, Charles (Chuck) Black, a Harvard-trained physicist with leadership experience in quantum information science, nanofabrication, and national research programs, shares his perspective on how the U.S. is building quantum capabilities and shaping the future of this transformative field.