SC Quantum

Announcing the Southeast's first #quantum #hackathon: SC QUANTATHON V1 - - - Thursday pm, Oct 10 Arrival + Meetup   Friday + Saturday, Oct 11-12 Quantathon V1   Sunday am, Oct 13 Awards + Departure - - - SC Quantum and the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business are sponsoring the inaugural Quantathon V1, powered by qBraid. This event will entangle college students from around the Southeast in 48 hours of quantum problem-solving.   Quantathon V1 will allow students from all backgrounds to collaborate, innovate, and create solutions for today's pressing challenges and will include students from colleges and universities across the Southeast.   Students will experience hands-on opportunities and access to quantum computers and technology to solve complex problems across multiple disciplines, creating community among our future visionaries, leaders, and doers. NETWORKING: Connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential employers from leading tech companies. SKILL ENHANCEMENT: Sharpen technical skills, learn new programming languages, and gain hands-on experience with the latest quantum technologies. IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS: Make a real difference by tackling real-world problems and developing solutions that regional industry partners can implement. Current industry support includes qBraid, Accelarise, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, IonQ, QuEra Computing Inc., Xanadu, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Quantathon V1 will be an immersive, engaging, and insightful 48 hours of solving problems like we haven't seen before. We hope you'll join us! - - - APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUG 18 Graduate and undergraduate teams and individual students are invited to apply today. Rolling admissions with reviews beginning mid-July. All admissions will be finalized by Sept 1. - - - STUDENTS: ACCESS A FREE 4-WEEK QUANTUM BOOTCAMP TO BE READY. The qBraid Bootcamp will provide a hands-on intro to quantum mechanics, principles, and software. You'll be equipped with knowledge of circuit models and prepped in algorithms applicable to the Quantathon challenges. It's your starter kit for an immersive, challenging, and insightful experience. - - - FOR MORE INFO, visit: https://lnkd.in/ezrrGpsi

INTRODUCING SOUTH CAROLINA QUANTUM Joan Marler, SC Quantum Board of Directors Clemson University What is your background?  I received my PhD in Physics from the University of California-San Diego, studying the atomic physics of matter and anti-matter interactions. I'm an experimental atomic physicist and am motivated by understanding the quantum properties of atoms and ions at the single-atom level. I've been a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Clemson University since 2013.    What was your motivation behind joining SCQ?  South Carolina has a lot to offer in terms of both business infrastructure and lifestyle for its residents. I believe the expanding quantum frontier provides unique opportunities for innovations that translate quantum from the laboratory to the market. Now is the right time to jump-start South Carolina’s participation in these opportunities. From my experience as an educator in South Carolina, I know first-hand the enormous potential of our extremely talented youth and believe that SCQ can facilitate new opportunities for these students that will provide meaningful and challenging careers for them and benefit the South Carolina economy.    What is your vision for the future for SCQ and South Carolina (and region)? My vision for SCQ and South Carolina, is that a synergistic foundation is developed that cements an increasing role for South Carolina in the Quantum landscape. Specifically, I would like to participate in the development of a sustained quantum-ready workforce including education and post-graduate opportunities for students in South Carolina and the region.

We're excited about bringing people together into quantum conversations here in South Carolina. People. Power. Potential. Possibilities. Plus Quantum! Ⓠ

INTRODUCING SOUTH CAROLINA QUANTUM Curtis Lee, SC Quantum Board of Directors Founder/Principal at Kairos Sophos Consulting What is your background?  I am a retired Marine Corps colonel, former corporate executive, independent consultant, angel investor, and community builder. I have always been attracted to technology, new initiatives, and entrepreneurship. This has led to my involvement in starting new businesses, and charities, and even starting a new military unit. My hope is that my broad experience and the network I have developed over many years will contribute to SC Quantum's success.   What was your motivation behind joining SCQ?  Joe Queenan and I have known each other for years and I have always been interested in emerging technology. When Joe called me up about South Carolina Quantum, I jumped at the chance to work with him on such an exciting project. We both strongly believe that our quantum journey will be a group effort and we plan on taking an entrepreneurial approach to launching South Carolina Quantum. What is your vision for the future for SCQ and South Carolina (and region)? My vision is for us to build a strong foundation for a robust quantum-based economy for South Carolina and the greater Southeast. I see us collaborating with other like-minded organizations to enable investment and advancement of quantum literacy/education, workforce development, and economic development, with the goal of becoming a leader in the upcoming quantum revolution.

INTRODUCING SOUTH CAROLINA QUANTUM Herbert L. Drayton III, SC Quantum Board of Directors Managing Partner, HI Mark Capital What is your professional background? Herbert L. Drayton III is the managing partner of Hi Mark Capital. Based in North Charleston, the VC firm invests in BIPOC and women-owned businesses in the Southeast, seeking both financial returns and social impact. He has enjoyed 20 years of experience establishing, buying, and managing a dozen businesses in a variety of industries including healthcare, IT, SaaS, and corporate training. Herbert served honorably in the US Air Force and the US Marine Corps Reserves. As a Charleston native, Herbert is passionate about community service and civic leadership in this region. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Coastal Community Foundation, the largest community foundation in South Carolina serving all nine counties on the coast. He also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Palmetto Goodwill and Board of Directors for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Roper St Francis Hospital Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation , St. Francis Hospital, SC BIO, the Association of Black Foundation Executives and the Security and Exchange Capital Formation Advisory Committee, and The South Carolina Quantum Association. Herbert has two adult children (Kariesha and Jordan) and recently served as the capital campaign chair for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church raising more the $2M for campus upgrades and other operational needs. What is your motivation behind joining SC Quantum as a board member? I eagerly seized the opportunity to join the SC Quantum board, driven by an unyielding passion to propel South Carolina into the forefront of technological innovation. My passion fuels my determination to infuse our work with unwavering enthusiasm and dynamism. With fervent preparedness, I believe we can transform education and prime our workforce for future challenges. Through bold initiatives and strategic collaborations, we're not just preparing for the future – we're shaping it, catapulting South Carolina into an era of unparalleled economic growth and global prominence. What is your vision of the future for SC Quantum, South Carolina (and the region)? At the heart of our mission lies the transformative power of quantum computing, a technology poised to revolutionize industries and redefine the global landscape. By harnessing the immense potential of quantum computing, we unlock unprecedented opportunities, propelling South Carolina into a new era of economic prosperity and technological advancement. Moreover, our commitment to quantum computing strengthens our global relations, positioning South Carolina as a key player in the international arena of innovation and collaboration. Through pioneering research, strategic partnerships, and forward-thinking initiatives, we cement our place on the world stage, fostering mutual growth and cooperation and driving progress at home and abroad.

We're excited to announce the immediate promotion of Dave Alsobrooks to the role of Communications Director at South Carolina Quantum. Dave has two decades of experience in brand strategy and design, advertising, fine art, market research, and entrepreneurship. He's worked with scores of companies and brands from Fortune 500 to startups to non-profits and almost everything in-between. His guidance was crucial to the initial development of the SC Quantum brand strategy and identity. Now, in his expanded role as Communications Director, he'll use that experience to craft SC Quantum's communications. "Having served in a role developing the strategy and identity of SC Quantum’s brand, the logical next step is guiding all our communications. While we maintain our strategic focus, I’ll ensure SCQ’s message remains relevant, authentic, and inclusive to all.”

Please join us in congratulating Bill Clinton on his immediate promotion to a new position at SC Quantum: Director of Strategic Initiatives. Bill brings over 25 years of public affairs and strategic communications experience in international relations, technology, policy, and community from the U.S. Navy to SC Quantum. His background and skill have already helped instill the value that SC Quantum offers to industry, business, academia, and technology partnerships. His deep understanding of our mission paired with his experience and expertise puts Bill in the perfect position to uncover new and exciting opportunities for SC Quantum and ultimately our entire State. He sees the bigger picture. We couldn't have said it better than Bill himself: "I'm excited about the continued growth of SC Quantum and look forward to exploring additional opportunities to advance and attract technology, business, and talent to build a sustainable quantum ecosystem here in South Carolina that will contribute to economic prosperity for all South Carolinians.”

HAPPENING: SC Quantum Launches Faculty Learning Series in Partnership with IonQ at Clemson University College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences - - - - The Faculty Learning Series is designed to support faculty and researchers who have an interest in quantum computing by providing them with free, expert-led training. Clemson University is hosting the first Learning Session on June 11, 2024. The workshop, “An Introduction to Quantum and Research Applications,” has provided Clemson faculty and researchers with an orientation on quantum technology, computing, and applications. “We are very excited to kick-off our Faculty Learning Series with Clemson University as their reputation for preparing and leading students to success is unmatched,” said Joe Queenan, Executive Director, South Carolina Quantum. “IonQ brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this initiative and will set the conditions for faculty to understand the importance of bringing quantum into the classroom and creating a learning environment that sparks innovation and creativity for University students. This collaboration with IonQ and Clemson is the first step to a pathway for education in developing a quantum-smart workforce, inspiring entrepreneurship that will help attract, and settle, quantum talent and technology to South Carolina.” - - - - MORE INFO: https://scquantum.org https://ionq.com https://clemson.edu/cecas

INTRODUCING SOUTH CAROLINA QUANTUM James Hodges, SC Quantum Board of Directors President, McGuireWoods Consulting What is your professional background?  I served as Governor of South Carolina from 1999 to 2003. I have a legal and business background, serving as a partner in the McGuireWoods law firm and the President of our consulting operation, McGuireWoods Consulting. I have extensive experience dealing with issues involving local, state, and federal regulation and legislation. What is your motivation behind joining SC Quantum as a board member? I have always had an interest in the intersection of education, business, and technology. SC Quantum provides an interesting opportunity to engage in all three issues to benefit my home state of South Carolina. What is your vision of the future for SC Quantum, South Carolina (and the region)? Through SC Quantum, South Carolina can emerge as a national leader in quantum computing, which will benefit both our higher education system and economic development.

INTRODUCING SOUTH CAROLINA QUANTUM Katie Levkoff, Events Manager, SC Quantum What is your role? Before joining SC Quantum, I came from the worlds of Higher Education and Nonprofits, with some dabbling in Marketing and Communications. As Events Manager at SCQ, I will lead planning for all community and high-profile events, to engage and educate our audiences about the fantastic opportunities and benefits quantum technology and research offer to all South Carolinians. What is your motivation behind joining SC Quantum?  I'm energized and humbled at the chance to join this passionate and talented team championing the collaboration of academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and government to help transform South Carolina's economy and generate a quantum leap in opportunities for students and professionals. What is your vision of the future for SC Quantum, South Carolina (and the region)? I see so much potential in South Carolina and our students. My vision is a future where we retain current talent, attract competitive candidates, encourage interest in science and technology while diversifying the field, and provide our youth with an equitable roadmap to success in quantum roles and discovery.