Harvard College Quantum Computing Association leaders William Hu, Ricardo Skewes, Emma Yang, Rain Wang and Felix Yeung (Emma Yang) I want to learn its capabilities and possibilities.” I prefer to have a field that’s more open-ended, that is going to change, and it felt like quantum computing was so new. “What drew me to computer science in general is that it’s like a puzzle and has no dead ends. “I’m always interested in exploring new things,” Davis said. Once she discovered the HCQCA, she wanted to be part of it. Though interested in quantum computing as a high school student, she lacked access to the educational resources that would allow her to pursue the field. Madison Davis is one of many first-year students recruited to the HCQCA. “Developments in quantum science have been partially accelerated by industry interests, but they also stem from pure fundamental physics research, which is exciting.” “To see them combine together in such a way is fascinating, and I would certainly like to spread this to even more undergraduates who might contribute to the field in some way,” Skewes said. For Skewes, the fusion of his two main academic interests drew him to quantum science, and then to the club. ‘25, is treasurer and director of events. ‘25, a physics and CS student, is the club’s vice president, and William Hu, A.B. Yang’s efforts helped restart the club, but the HCQCA has multiple students in its leadership team. The Harvard-Amazon Web Services partnership that launched a few days ago is just one example of a big company working on quantum computing.” We want to give our members a broad exposure to the different kinds of research that’s happening in various departments at Harvard, and also want to bring in diverse perspectives from industry as well as academia. “There are a lot of different professors doing quantum computing research from different angles. “What really strikes me is how quantum computing really comes at the intersection of so many different fields,” she said. Yang hopes to add programming bootcamps next spring so group members can start to practice quantum computing themselves. Lectures have already been planned for the fall semester, beginning on October 18 with Robert Westervelt, Mallinckrodt Professor of Applied Physics and of Physics at SEAS and Director of the Science and Technology Center for Integrated Quantum Materials and the Center for Nanoscale Systems. Members of the Harvard College Quantum Computing Association attend a quantum physics graduate seminar at the Jefferson Lab (Emma Yang) The HCQCA held its first meeting ahead of one of the Harvard Quantum Initiative’s weekly graduate-level seminars at the end of September. Yang, president of the HCQCA, wants the club to be a gateway for students with little to or prior experience to learn about quantum science and computing. We’re really happy about the progress we’ve made.” We have physics concentrators, computer science, math, applied math, chemistry, engineering, and even a couple grad students. We’re really glad that we were able to reach such a broad audience. “It speaks to how this is a really great year to be getting into quantum computing. “We were really pleasantly surprised about how many people showed up at our table at the club fair, spoke to us and signed up,” said Yang, a computer science and physics student.
The group has already recruited more than 150 members, a sign that even students relatively new to campus are interested in the cutting-edge field. ‘25, has restarted the Harvard College Quantum Computing Association (HCQCA), an undergraduate student organization that became inactive when the pandemic shifted Harvard to remote learning. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are also leading the way by promoting and expanding access to quantum computing for the undergraduate student body. In September, Harvard announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services to enhance quantum research, development and outreach opportunities on campus. The university launched the Harvard Quantum Initiative in November 2018, and this fall the university welcomed the first cohort of students in its quantum science and engineering Ph.D. The visibility of quantum science and computing has increased dramatically at Harvard in recent years. '25 and president of the Harvard College Quantum Computing Association (Emma Yang)
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