Zain Hafeez, sophomore in Applied Physics, recently won the top prize for undergraduates in the QED-C student poster competition. Hafeez is a member of the maChine Learning and quANtum computing research (CLAN) Labs group run by IE Professor Vaneet Aggarwal. His research, titled “A Bi-directional Multi-Solution Grover’s Search Algorithm,” proposes a framework that exhibits a solution for possible quantum advantage in implementing Bi–Directional Grover’s Search algorithm through amplitude interception.

This program was the first of its kind run by the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C). Hafeez, who had previously never presented his research in a professional setting, says he was unsure of what to expect for his first poster competition. “Once I got used to the environment, I started to take a great deal of enjoyment in presenting my work. I had the pleasure of being able to meet a lot of interesting people in the field, I almost felt right at home.”

“This award was certainly a surprise,” he says. “I only started to learn about quantum computing last summer. And I only started to do the research that I've been doing right before the fall semester. So, to have my first research competition also be the first one that I won was quite exciting!” Hafeez would like to extend his appreciation to Dr. Debanjan Konar and Professor Aggarwal, whose guidance has been crucial to recent accomplishments with their research.

Author: Chloee Copper

Related Links

https://engineering.purdue.edu/CLANLabs