HQAN Alumni Interview Series: Brian Doolittle

I collaborated with Xanadu for two years. It was a very creative project in which we took the latest approaches in variational quantum algorithms and applied them to foundational problems in quantum information science. The result was an incredibly flexible optimization framework that could attack previously intractable problems in an automated and declarative manner. This collaboration not only laid the foundation of my dissertation but gave me experience working with folks from industry, which allowed me to gain new perspectives outside of the academic bubble.

I was able to find a job at an HQAN partner, Aliro Technologies. My work in HQAN gave me the requisite experience in quantum networking and software development to stand out against competing applicants and secure my position. I use the skills and expertise I gained in HQAN everyday in my work at Aliro. I am also still engaged in several HQAN projects as an industry collaborator. During my PhD I gained a lot from the mentorship of industry collaborators. In my current role, I get to pay it forward and mentor current HQAN students.

Quantum technologies have a high perceived value based on hype and a high cost based on the expenses of research, development, and hardware. However, quantum technology has yet to yield a practical return.

If a practical advantage that yields profit and benefits society cannot be demonstrated soon. Then it's a waste of resources to pursue this frontier. There are more pressing issues, such as sustainability, that we should divert our funding, energy, and brains towards.

We only have a short amount of time to realize practical quantum advantage from noisy quantum hardware.

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