Quantum Student Interest Group

Project Description The Quantum Student Interest Group (Q-SIG) was initially conceived of during the CyberAccelerate Workshop as part of KINBERCON 2025. After a CyberAccelerate break-out session focused on quantum information science topics, undergraduate student Bodhi Colvin (’28, Lafayette College) worked with Prof. Heidi Hendrickson (Lafayette College) to develop the idea for a student-led group that would enable students across the PA Science DMZ institutions to collaborate on quantum information science projects.

The Q-SIG aims to enable students from Lafayette College, Swarthmore College, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Penn State University to (1) learn the basic concepts underlying quantum computing and quantum information, (2) obtain hands-on skills using quantum simulation software (e.g., PennyLane, Qiskit, etc.), and (3) apply their skills to collaborative projects, including research projects.

For this project, we are seeking a student leader from each of the four PA Science DMZ institutions listed above to help achieve the Q-SIG project aims for the Spring 2026 semester (mid-February to early May). Student leaders will be expected to participate in weekly Q-SIG meetings from 4:10-5pm via Zoom. Additionally, student leaders will meet bi-weekly for planning and organizational work. Each student leader will receive a stipend ($500) for their time spent helping to achieve the Q-SIG aims.

To accomplish Aim 1, student leaders will partner with Penn State University’s Quantum Hub to identify and invite experts in the field, including those from PA Science DMZ institutions, to give pedagogical talks on basics concepts in quantum computing and quantum information and how these concepts are applied in their specific research.

To accomplish Aim 2, student leaders (and interested Q-SIG members) will work with graduate students in the Quantum Hub to design and carry out instructional workshops that teach participants how to design and simulate quantum circuits. Q-SIG members will also participate in regional hackathons, such as the YQuantum hackathon hosted by Yale University.

To accomplish Aim 3, student leaders will work with faculty at PA Science DMZ institutions to devise collaborative research projects for Q-SIG participants to work on together. For example, a potential research project from the Hendrickson lab (Lafayette College) involves designing quantum machine learning algorithms to predict chemical properties. Student leaders will explore multiple research project options, including any ideas proposed by other Q-SIG members. We expect these collaborative projects will foster continued research collaboration utilizing the PA Science DMZ.