Quantum Careers for Gen Z with Deeya Viradia

Episode Overview

Join Sebastian Hassinger in conversation with Deeya Viradia, a Gen Z voice and rising researcher in the quantum computing field. Deeya discusses her multifaceted journey—from early inspiration and undergraduate research to hackathons, quantum clubs, and her ambitions in commercialization. This episode is packed with resources, perspectives on education, and advice for newcomers in quantum technology.

Key Topics & Highlights

Deeya’s Quantum Origin Story

• Inspired by curiosity and early science exposure—especially an episode of "Martha Speaks" with Neil deGrasse Tyson—which led to an ongoing passion for exploring the unknown, from astronomy to quantum computing.
• Found her quantum footing through engineering physics at UC Berkeley and participation in the IBM Qiskit Summer School.

Building a Quantum Resume

• Gained diverse hands-on experience with UC Berkeley’s Quantum Devices Group, SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center), the DoD Quantum Entanglement and Space Technologies (QuEST) Lab, and multiple quantum hackathons (MIT iQuHack Hack, Yale's Y Quantum).
• Emphasizes the breadth of opportunity for undergraduates—advocates for involvement in hackathons and clubs, even without prior quantum experience.

Theory vs. Experiment, and Academia vs. Industry

• Challenges traditional boundaries, advocating for integration: understanding both the experimental physics and the theoretical/algorithmic sides of quantum.
• Describes work at SLAC: optimizing readout for superconducting qubits, working with dilution fridges, and collaborating across national labs and Stanford.

Student Community & Entrepreneurial Drive

• Founded Q-BIT at Berkeley, a club focused on quantum computing applications and industry connections.
• Active in Berkeley’s entrepreneurship community, driven to explore how quantum research moves from lab to commercial product.

Commercialization and the Future of Quantum

• Discusses the uncertain but promising path to quantum’s economic value, highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration, communication, and cross-sector engagement.
• Strong advocate for students and non-technical communities alike to take risks, reach out, and jump into the field—because quantum needs diverse perspectives and no one knows exactly where it’s headed!

Resources Mentioned

• IBM Quantum education resources
• IBM Quantum blog - where the summer camp will be announced
• MIT iQuHack
• Yale’s Y Quantum
• Unitary Foundation
• Q-Ctrl Black Opal
• Q-BIT at Berkeley
• Qubit by Qubit
• National Q-12 Education Partnership 
• IEEE Quantum Week
• UC Berkeley Quantum Devices Group
• SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
• Entrepreneurs @ Berkeley