1st Workshop on Molecular Optimization with Quantum Computers
Jan
21-22
Campus San Joaquín, Universidad Católica
Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile
1st Workshop on Molecular Optimization with Quantum Computers
The 1st Workshop on Molecular Optimization with Quantum Computers will bring together experts and researchers from across the globe to explore the cutting-edge intersection of quantum computing and molecular sciences. Held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile on January 21-22, 2025, this workshop aims to foster collaboration and innovation in the field of molecular optimization, focusing on the application of quantum algorithms to solve complex problems in chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery.
This event offers a combination of keynote presentations, discussions, and hands-on sessions, where participants will tackle challenges and breakthroughs in using quantum computers to model molecular systems. Key topics include molecular structure optimization, quantum algorithms for applications in chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery. Join us in Santiago and be part of this innovative exploration at the intersection of quantum computing and molecular science.
Invited
Speakers
Jerónimo Maze
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Electrical Industrial Engineer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2002), he obtained his PhD in Physics from Harvard University (2010). He is currently an Associate Professor at the Institute of Physics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Professor Maze's research focuses on condensed matter and quantum optics. His research lines include the study of nanosystems where individual degrees of freedom, such as an electron’s charge or spin, can be accessed with a high level of control, enabling the creation of novel applications in metrology and information storage. His investigations involve both experimental studies and theoretical models of nanosystems, where a detailed description is necessary to explain the interaction between the nanosystem and its environment. Understanding these systems could lead to groundbreaking applications in metrology, such as room-temperature magnetometry for biological applications, and the generation of single photons for quantum information theory and quantum metrology. These research lines present challenging and multidisciplinary problems for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Caio Porto
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Germany
Caio Moraes Porto, obtained a summa cum laude Bachelor's degree from the State University of Campinas in 2019, where he is currently pursuing a PhD degree in theoretical and computational chemistry under the supervision of Professor Nelson Morgon. He is the recipient of the prestigious Lavoisier Award. Currently, he is a visiting scholar in the research group of Professor Peter Schreiner at Justus-Liebig-Universität. His main research interests include: hydrogen and heavier atom quantum tunneling and its application to chemical reactions, as well as the development of new approaches for its calculation; quantum computers and its application to problems in computational chemistry.
Gustavo Scuseria
Rice University, USA
Gustavo E. Scuseria is the Robert A. Welch Professor of Chemistry, as well as Professor of Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Born in Argentina, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Buenos Aires in 1983 and completed postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and the University of Georgia. Scuseria specializes in computational quantum chemistry, where he has pioneered new methodologies for molecules, solids, and nanoscale systems. He is also known for his contributions to the Gaussian quantum chemistry software. With over 490 publications and more than 56,000 citations, his h-index is 99. Scuseria has been named a “Highly Cited Researcher” multiple times and has delivered over 370 invited lectures worldwide, including prestigious named lectures. He is a Fellow of several organizations, including the American Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Scuseria has received numerous awards, including the Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology Theory and the Humboldt Research Award. Since 2006, he has served as co-Editor of the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation.
Henry F. Schaefer
University of Georgia, USA
Henry F. Schaefer III is a renowned chemist, currently serving as the Graham Perdue Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry at the University of Georgia. He holds a B.S. in chemical physics from MIT and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Schaefer has made significant contributions to computational quantum chemistry, with over 1600 scientific publications. He previously held positions at UC Berkeley and the University of Texas, Austin, and has been a visiting professor at prestigious institutions worldwide, including ETH Zurich, ANU, and LMU Munich. His work has earned him numerous awards, including the American Chemical Society’s Award in Pure Chemistry, the Schrödinger Medal, and the Centenary Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Schaefer has mentored many students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and government labs. His research has been cited more than 79,000 times, and he remains one of the most highly cited scientists globally.
Alexandre Ricardo
Federal University of São Carlos
Bachelor in Physics from the Federal University of São Carlos (2019), is currently pursuing his PhD in quantum computing and quantum information in continuous-variables systems at UFSCar under the supervision of Professor Celso Jorge Villas-Bôas. At the same time, he is a Technical Quantum Community Intern at Classiq, where he works on activities such as mentoring in quantum hackathons and delivering workshops on the Classiq Platform. His studies are aimed at quantum algorithms for solving differential equations, numerical simulation of quantum systems, integration of machine learning methods in quantum algorithms, and investigating effects in quantum systems that can be used to manipulate information.