L – R: George Sleen, Avi Guha, Ryan Mahinpey, Ari Mesrob Cholakian, Jack Bradley, Joshua Himmens, Alessandra Ionescu-Zanetti, Ronny Cravioto-Ross, Connor Floyd, Lauren Luksay, Safiia Ismagilova.
The Generation Quantum Hackathon is a global hackathon series for students (mostly Masters and PhDs) to put their knowledge to the test by solving real problems with quantum algorithms. Armed with mentorship from leading quantum computing providers like IonQ, Quantinuum, IBM, and Microsoft, and some of the hardest problems, participants had 48 hours to come up with a solution. In Geneva, participants focused on life-science problems.
One Fizz team worked on using quantum convolutional neural networks to detect brain excitation and MRI scan classification. Another team worked on using hybrid quantum-classical algorithms to construct valid mRNA chains in hopes of speeding up drug discovery.
The first particle accelerator, the synchro-cyclotron at CERN
George Sleen: “It was amazing to meet experts in the field of quantum computing, learn lots about current and future applications of quantum neural networks, and try out working with quantum systems. Out team worked on classifying medical image data with quantum neural networks, which was both challenging and rewarding. The experience of connecting with people from around the world at CERN was absolutely incredible and is a highlight of my time at UBC and representing Engineering Physics!”
Avi Guha: “GENQ’s Quantum AI hackathon was an invaluable experience in terms of exposure to quantum technologies. I was introduced to new perspectives and learned an exceptional amount, especially in my conversations with quantum experts at the event. The hackathon also gave me a network and form a team with quantum engineering students from ETH Zurich, forming friendships and connections for life.”
“Wandering The Immeasurable” at CERN
Safia Ismagilova: “This was a rewarding opportunity to step outside my regular responsibilities amidst the term and visit CERN in Switzerland with my classmates, while applying our quantum computing and machine learning skills to challenges in the life sciences realm. With over 70% graduate participants from around the world and experts in the field, I got to hear lots of interesting stories and receive needed guidance. During the hackathon, our team developed an algorithm to predict mRNA folding as well as a potential business strategy to implement this solution within pharmaceutical companies, placing second in our category. It was refreshing to see how concepts and skills we learn in our engineering physics classes apply in real life!”
2nd place, mRNA Folding
Joshua Himmens: “We built quantum embeddings to classify medical image data, pitched our technology as a means of classifying brain data, and got to work with leading quantum computing experts. I learned how to construct quantum networks, and where quantum convolutional neural networks might have advantage. All done in the same room they announced the discovery of the Higgs boson in at CERN in Geneva!”
Ryan Mahinpey: “This will likely go down as one of the highlights of my degree. Getting the opportunity to work with and learn from industry experts in quantum computing was inspiring, and invaluable to me. My team and I worked on encoding medical data into quantum neural networks. I learned a lot about quantum Computing, as well as about neural networks. Also, getting to see CERN fulfilled a dream of mine I thought I’d never get to see happen.”
Homeward bound on the Leman Express