Deeya Viradia, a researcher in quantum computing, gained experience with quantum technologies through undergraduate studies in engineering physics at UC Berkeley and participation in programmes including the IBM Qiskit Summer School. Listen to the latest podcast from NewQuantumEra.

Her practical work encompassed projects at UC Berkeley’s Quantum Devices Group, SLAC, and the DoD Quantum Entanglement and Space Technologies (QuEST) Lab, focusing on optimising readout for superconducting qubits utilising dilution fridges – cryogenic refrigerators essential for maintaining qubit stability. Viradia also participated in quantum hackathons such as MIT iQuHack and Yale’s Y Quantum, and founded Q-BIT at Berkeley to foster a student community focused on quantum computing applications and industry connections, while actively exploring the commercialisation of quantum research. She advocates for increased accessibility and interdisciplinary collaboration within the field.

Early Inspiration and Educational Pathways

Deeya Viradia’s initial engagement with science, and subsequently quantum computing, stemmed from an early fascination with exploration, sparked by exposure to scientific programming, particularly an episode of “Martha Speaks” featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson. This early curiosity extended from astronomy and ultimately led to a focused interest in the field of quantum technology. Her formal education in engineering physics at UC Berkeley provided a foundation for her subsequent work in quantum computing.

Practical experience was gained through involvement with multiple research groups, including UC Berkeley’s Quantum Devices Group, SLAC, and the DoD Quantum Entanglement and Space Technologies (QuEST) Lab. Participation in quantum hackathons, such as MIT iQuHack and Yale’s Y Quantum, further supplemented her academic learning. This diverse range of experiences underscores the breadth of opportunity available to undergraduate students seeking involvement in quantum research, even without pre-existing expertise.

Viradia actively promotes the integration of theoretical and experimental quantum physics, advocating for a holistic approach to the discipline. Her work at SLAC involved optimising readout mechanisms for superconducting qubits, utilising specialised cryogenic refrigerators known as dilution fridges to maintain the necessary low temperatures for qubit operation. This work also involved collaboration across multiple national laboratories and with researchers at Stanford.

As founder of Q-BIT at Berkeley, Viradia established a student-led club focused on the practical applications of quantum computing and fostering connections with industry professionals. This initiative reflects her commitment to building a community around quantum technology and facilitating knowledge exchange. Her engagement with Berkeley’s entrepreneurship community demonstrates an interest in translating quantum research into commercial products, recognising the potential for economic value creation.

Viradia highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and communication for realising the economic potential of quantum computing, advocating for broad participation in the field. She encourages students and individuals from non-technical backgrounds to engage with quantum computing, emphasising that diverse perspectives are crucial given the open and evolving nature of the discipline and the need for accessible quantum computing education.

Practical Experience and Skill Development

Deeya Viradia’s initial interest in quantum computing stemmed from early exposure to science, specifically an episode of “Martha Speaks” featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson, which fostered a broader passion for exploring the unknown. This curiosity led to foundational learning through engineering physics at UC Berkeley and participation in the IBM Qiskit Summer School, providing a basis for further practical engagement.

Viradia’s work at SLAC involved optimising readout for superconducting qubits, a fundamental unit of quantum information, and required the use of dilution fridges – specialised cryogenic refrigerators essential for maintaining the low temperatures necessary for qubit operation. This work also facilitated collaboration across national laboratories and with researchers at Stanford, demonstrating the collaborative nature of quantum research.

Beyond research, Viradia founded Q-BIT at Berkeley, a club dedicated to exploring quantum computing applications and establishing industry connections, actively fostering a student community around the technology. Her engagement with Berkeley’s entrepreneurship community reflects a drive to explore the transition of quantum research from laboratory investigation towards viable commercial products.

Commercialisation and Community Engagement

Viradia gained hands-on experience through involvement with UC Berkeley’s Quantum Devices Group, SLAC, and the DoD Quantum Entanglement and Space Technologies (QuEST) Lab, alongside participation in quantum hackathons including MIT iQuHack and Yale’s Y Quantum. She emphasises the breadth of opportunity available to undergraduates, advocating for involvement in hackathons and clubs even without prior quantum experience.

Her work at SLAC involved optimising readout for superconducting qubits, utilising dilution fridges, and collaborating across national laboratories and Stanford, demonstrating a practical application of quantum principles. A qubit is the basic unit of quantum information, analogous to a bit in classical computing, but leverages quantum mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement, while dilution fridges are specialised cryogenic refrigerators used to cool qubits to extremely low temperatures.

Driven to explore the transition of quantum research into commercial products, Viradia is engaged with Berkeley’s entrepreneurship community and actively fosters a student community as founder of Q-BIT at Berkeley, a club focused on quantum computing applications and industry connections. This work demonstrates her commitment to both the technical development and practical application of quantum technologies, alongside accessible quantum computing education.