Student Testimonials

What motivated you to join the “Quantum + Chips” Summer School?

As a student interested in Condensed Matter, a lot of the research I was able to conduct at my home university revolved around principles and concepts which I did not understand yet. Quantum+Chips allowed me to get an accelerated look at quantum mechanics. Additionally, as someone interested in computer hardware and electronics/electrical engineering, Quantum+Chips was the perfect combination of my passions. 

What was the most impactful part of the program for you (lectures, labs, company visits, hackathon, networking, etc.)?

I loved the company visits and talks with faculty members because both really reframed my idea of a future career. I feel so passionate about continuing research after meeting some faculty from the University of Minnesota, and combined with the industry professionals I met, I now know I could be very happy in an industry setting as well. The talk that particularly stood out to me was with Intel, where I not only learned more about the computer chip industry, but also gained valuable insight into bridging the gap between academia and industry. 

I also loved the hackathon because it gave me the invaluable experience of working with the other participants of the Quantum+Chips program. I had the best time getting to know my fellow peers, and the hackathon gave the perfect opportunity to do so. On a more personal level, before Quantum+Chips I was very insecure about my programming/coding skills because I never had a chance to take a traditional computer science course at my university. By completing each of the challenges, I felt very affirmed in my coding skills, and have since participated in computational physics research and classes. 

What new skills, knowledge, or perspectives did you gain from the program?

I learned so much through Quantum+Chips so it is a bit difficult to make a list, but what stands out the most to me is that I learned the valuable connection between basic quantum mechanics and computer science/technology. Of course, I knew this connection existed but now that I am in formal quantum classes, I find myself always going back to the use of transistors and quantum principles in computer chips. Additionally, I gained a lot of coding and networking skills. Most importantly, however, I learned about my passion for electrical engineering, which I plan to at least partially pursue in graduate school. 

How do you see this experience influencing your future academic or career path?

I was always interested in science, and once I got to university I narrowed it down to physics, but Quantum+Chips helped me realize that I am especially interested in the intersection between electronics and physics, specifically in device design. 

What advice would you give to someone considering the program?

I would encourage anyone interested in the program to really pursue it, because I went in really devoted for the two weeks, and I feel like I learned so much and made a lot of friends. The experience has remained something I look back on so fondly, and I hope others are able to find the experience to be just as interesting, engaging, and pivotal as I have.

I wanted to participate in the Quantum + Chips summer school because it’s difficult to learn about quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing in a hands-on manner without many pre-requisite classes and restrictions. The summer school gave me the opportunity to delve into a myriad of different fields of study in an engaging manner. The most impactful part of the program for me was the talks given by researchers in various companies. Omair Saadat, a lead researcher at Intel, gave interesting insights into the modern semiconductor industry and various techniques that are used to make chips today. Not only did I learn how to code a quantum algorithm with Qiskit, and how to program the physics behind spintronics, but I also gained a new perspective on the semiconductor industry, and the research methods that are being utilized in the present day to make chips. I want to pursue a career in the semiconductor industry, and I’m taking a class in nanoelectronics and lithography specifically because of the Quantum + Chips Summer School. What I learned at this summer school has given me great insight into potential future careers in industry. I absolutely recommend the Quantum + Chips Summer School to any student interested in quantum computing or semiconductors. I learned a ton of interesting material and participated in engaging projects that bolstered my curiosity .