Conferences Attended
Texas Quantum Summit
The Texas Quantum Summit marked the first statewide gathering of quantum stakeholders following the passage of the Texas Quantum Initiative. Signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott and effective September 1, 2025, the initiative establishes a formal planning framework and advisory committee to coordinate quantum research priorities, funding strategies, and manufacturing capabilities across Texas.
The summit served as a launchpad for aligning academic research priorities, industrial capabilities, funding opportunities, and governmental efforts across Texas. This second paragraph will start below the image since we added the clear class.
Solidworks: 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024
3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 served as the premier annual gathering for designers, engineers, and business leaders, carrying forward the legacy of SOLIDWORKS World. The event centered on unifying the product development process through cloud-based collaboration on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Key sessions explored cutting-edge design and collaboration tools for desktop and cloud environments, while also demonstrating how integrated simulation is transforming development by removing guesswork. Additionally, a manufacturing panel addressed strategies for bridging the industry's skill gap and labor shortages, with a focus on building a resilient and diverse pipeline for future growth.
IEEE Quantum Week 2023
IEEE Quantum Week is the premier international conference bridging quantum computing science with industry development. The 2023 event in Bellevue, Washington, uniquely brought together researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs through an extensive program of keynotes, tutorials, and workshops designed to foster collaboration across the field.
The conference provided ample networking opportunities while showcasing the latest advancements in quantum algorithms, software systems, and hardware engineering. By connecting professionals from industry, government, and academia, IEEE Quantum Week aims to accelerate innovation and build a cohesive community around all aspects of quantum computing and engineering.
Texas Quantum Summit 2025
My Experience
Two years ago, I attended my first conference, IEEE Quantum Week 2023 in Bellevue, Washington, where I got my first glimpse into the vast landscape of quantum research, witnessing the intersection of academia and industry. At the time, much of it felt overwhelming, and I was just beginning to grasp the scale of the field.
In September of 2025, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Texas Quantum Summit hosted at Texas A&M University. Returning with a different perspective, and now equipped with research experience in quantum error correction, I was excited to see the current state of the field and how much things had progressed. I was no longer the confused undergrad trying to keep up, but instead as a soon-to-be college graduate, with a clearer sense of direction.
The summit brought together an impressive cross-section of stakeholders: Texas senators, economic development leaders, startup founders, academic experts, industry representatives, and educators. What stood out most was the shift in conversation, from purely technical discussions to how quantum can serve as a solution for real-world economic challenges. Speakers emphasized aligning research agendas with the commerce they can enable, and directly connecting innovation to the Texas economy.
The momentum was undeniable. With over 400+ attendees, far exceeding the projected 250, it was clear that the quantum ecosystem in Texas is no longer theoretical. The message resonated throughout: this moment requires collaboration across academia, industry, and government. Quantum's time is here, and the challenge now is how we channel that momentum into lasting impact.
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Solidworks: 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024
My Experience
Attending 3DEXPERIENCE World 2024 in Dallas Texas was an incredible experience, especially as a member of UT Dallas's AIAA group. We were honored to be invited to showcase our projects at an EDU booth, which was a fantastic platform to share our work with a global audience of engineers and designers. This opportunity was made possible by a generous sponsorship from SOLIDWORKS, which provided our group with software keys. This access was instrumental in allowing our members to learn CAD and implement professional-grade design tools directly into our engineering projects.
Beyond our own booth, the "Playground" was easily one of the coolest parts of the conference. It was an interactive hub where I met people from all sorts of businesses and backgrounds, all eager to talk about their projects and initiatives. Seeing firsthand how others are using these technologies to innovate was genuinely inspiring! I also made it a point to attend several workshops; one session on 3D printing and manufacturing practices stood out in particular. It was fascinating to learn how AI is currently being used to streamline production processes and how companies are looking to implement similar smart practices across other machine shop tools in the near future.
Overall, the conference left me with a powerful message about the future of design. The focus wasn't just on the tools we have today, but on the horizon of what's possible with AI-based generative design and cloud-based collaboration on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It was clear that the industry is moving toward a more connected and intelligent workflow, and being surrounded by that energy, from student teams to seasoned professionals, reinforced my excitement to be a part of this evolving engineering landscape!
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IEEE Quantum Week 2023
My Experience
The 2023 IEEE Quantum Week conference marked my very first professional conference that I have attended! It was made possible by the Quantum Connect program at UT Dallas, a travel grant opportunity funded through the NSF’s ExpandQISE program. After being selected as one of the student participants, I was awarded a grant to attend the conference in Bellevue, Washington. The program provided a structured and invaluable framework for my first major conference experience, which included attending talks, workshops, participating in dedicated student career development activities, and interacting with members of the quantum industrial workforce. This opportunity not only facilitated my travel but also connected me with an international community of peers and professionals in the quantum field. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Kolodrubetz and Dr. Henderson for the opportunity to participate in this program; their belief in students like me truly expanded my world and set a new trajectory for my future in innovative technologies and sciences.
The Scale of the Quantum Community
Stepping into the IEEE Quantum Week conference in Bellevue was my first real glimpse into the sheer scale of the quantum community. With over 1,000 attendees, the convention center was a bustling ecosystem that brought together every corner of the field, from academics, to engineers, researchers, educators, startup founders, representatives from large international companies, and more. People of all ages and career stages filled the halls, from high schoolers presenting posters to seasoned academics leading breakout sessions. Seeing those young researchers confidently present their work was a powerful moment for me; it shattered any preconceived notions I had about who gets to contribute to this field and showed me that anything is truly possible. I quickly got used to networking with those around me, striking up conversations during coffee breaks and between sessions. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many people from all over the world, all united by a passion for advancing quantum science.
Speed Mentoring Session & Workshops
One of the most memorable structured events was a speed mentoring session, where we sat in small groups at tables while quantum professionals rotated through to share their experiences. I had the chance to speak with a lead researcher from Microsoft, who discussed their topological initiatives. I also met a researcher from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, who shared their unique career trajectory and emphasized how their teams are intentionally built from people of diverse backgrounds, highlighting just how crucial a multidisciplinary mindset is to solving complex problems.
Beyond the mentoring, I immersed myself in numerous breakout session talks. Listening to seasoned academics present on incredibly niche but advanced topics was truly inspiring; it gave me a sense of the depth and rigor that defines this field. I also attended a workshop led by researchers from the Netherlands, who walked us through a demo of NetSquid NetSquid (The Network Simulator for Quantum Information using Discrete events). The fact that I could actually try out this cutting-edge simulation tool on my own device, learning how it models scalable quantum networks and the future quantum internet, made the future feel tangible and within reach.
Connecting with My Peers and a Glimpse into Academia
Equally valuable were the connections I built closer to home. Throughout the conference, I spent time with my fellow UT Dallas participants, about half of whom were graduate students. I really enjoyed discussing their research and learning about projects happening at my own university that I had previously been unaware of. Later in the trip, a couple of these fellow participants and I had the chance to visit the University of Washington, which was a fun and insightful side adventure. Several of the undergraduates in our group were actively applying to graduate schools, so I was particularly interested in learning about the application process and the broader world of academia through our discussions with the professors who accompanied us on the trip.
A serendipitous detour made the visit even more special: one of the graduate students we were with had a friend in the materials science department at UW who was in the final year of their PhD. We got to visit their lab and learn about their research on biodegradable materials. It was another moment where I got a sneak peek into the life of a researcher at a critical stage in their career. Getting to talk with students early in their graduate programs, those in the final stretch of their dissertations, and professionals spanning every corner of the field, all with varying years and types of experience, painted a full picture of the paths available. Overall, this entire experience opened my eyes to an entire different world and ecosystem of people all working to advance the industry. It was a defining moment that left me with two main takeaways: first, a profound admiration for the dedication and passion everyone poured into their practice, navigating incredible technical difficulty with genuine enthusiasm; and second, an inspiring realization that I now carry with me, a higher standard for what it means to be part of a community united by curiosity and purpose.
