[PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, Feb 8] The University of Pittsburgh is incorporating a new program called crossing over at Pitt. The goal of this program is to merge two separate fields that are exploring the same research but in their own unique ways. We have seen this come to life through Evan McKinney, and Michael Hatridge in the Old Engineering Hall (OEH).
Evan McKinney is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh and is on track to achieving quite the impressive degree. He has an undergrad in physics, computer engineering, and math. He specifically choice to combine these three fields because he wanted to use his computer science skills to excel in physics research, and tried to emulate a quantum computing major, before it was even being thought of at the University of Pittsburgh.
He primarily spends his hours in the computing and engineering department but has been being co-advised by Dr. Hatridge in the physics department. He has learned a lot through this crossing over program as quantum computing is become less about being purely experimental work and now is becoming practical engineering work as well.
Now that they have been able to combine these fields, he is able to take what he learns in the engineering building such as certain architecture design choices and classical compilation strategies and is able to bring that knowledge into the HATLAB and use that when helping build modules.
One of the modules they showed is called a “snail module”, which is one of the quantum machines they have in the HATLAB. It allows for the exchange of information with quantum computing and is designed to withstand the conditions of the lab, preventing any loss of information.
Through the collaboration from both the physics and engineering department, the University of Pittsburgh has been able to create a quantum computing program which encompasses research, computer science, and physics all into one. The possibilities are endless with this program, and it is truly astounding to see the lab where all of the hard work and dedication takes place.