Program

Program Overview

The NYUAD Hackathon Program will Include the following:

The Hackathon will start with a series of virtual interactive QC workshops and lightning talks during the third week of March. Attendance is required for all participants.

The event begins on Wednesday, April 28, 2023, at 8AM (UAE time). We will have a welcome, then Lightning API Talks, and team ideation. On Thursday and Friday, until 2PM UAE time, teams will develop their applications. On Friday at 5PM, teams will present their applications to a panel of experts during a public event. Please note that all activities will be held at the NYUAD Conference center (A6).

A Certification for A Full Month Virtual Course and Workshops on QC Required for all Participants with no or little QC experience.

Please note that you will receive a certification for this course from QWorld and the NYUAD Hackathon. This course will run virtually during March, 2023 and you can take it during your preferred time.

A full month of virtual interactive QC course will be offered during March, 2023 for all participants with no or little QC experience by experts from QWorld and the NYUAD Hackathon. This is an excellent professional course that has been offered for a few years now by QWorld and tailored especially for the NYUAD Hackathon. This will provide an excellent learning experience on QC for all Hackathon participants with certification. It will ensure that you are prepared for the NYUAD hackathon so you can focus on building your application when you arrive at NYUAD. Please note that the course is structured so that you can complete it during March finishing all the required learning units and tasks during your own preferred time. You must finish all of the learning units and tasks to be admitted to the hackathon and receive the certification. Your participation in the hackathon is contingent upon you receiving the certification for this course. We will provide you with the details about this virtual course by March 1st when you are selected to participate in the Hackathon.

Virtual Workshops

Open to participants ONLY

4 interactive workshops via Zoom for Participants Only from April 17-20, 2023 at 8PM GST (2 hours per day and all required to attend).

Setting up your Computer Environment
Ricky Young, Quantum software engineer, qBraid
Quantum Experiments using Sattelite Technology
Urbasi Sinha, Professor, Quantum Information and Computing Lab Light and Matter Physics group Raman Research Institute
Quantum Networking for (Quantum) Cryptography
Adam Alderton, PhD student at Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge researching ‘cryptography first’ continuous-variable quantum networking.
How to use IBM Qiskit for Quantum Computing
Sean Wagner, Sean Wagner is a Technology Advocate and a Quantum Technical Ambassador at IBM. As a member of the IBM Canada National Innovation Team, Sean works with researchers at academic institutions and industry partners from start-ups to large companies on projects involving high-performance computing, computer architecture, quantum computing, and data science and AI. As a member of the IBM Quantum team, Sean advocates for adoption of quantum computing technology in various fields and industries, and is a contributor to the Qiskit open-source project for quantum software development. Dr. Wagner completed a B.A.Sc. in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 2003, and earned M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto in 2006 and 2011, respectively.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

(Arrival Day) Open to participants ONLY

Time	Description
4:00-7:00PM	Welcome Reception and Campus Tour Central Plaza and Conference Center (A6)

Time

Description

4:00-7:00PM

Welcome Reception and Campus Tour

Central Plaza and Conference Center (A6)

PUBLIC EVENT

Time	Description
7:00-9:00PM	DJ Spooky Performance from NYC Central Plaza (Under the Palm Trees) Presented by the NYUAD Hackathon in collaboration with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Acclaimed composer, multimedia artist, and writer Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky, spins his vibrant sounds for an evening of NY-based electronic music and hip hop. When he’s not spinning sounds, Miller explores the intersections of art and quantum physics, making this performance the perfect way to mark the annual NYU Abu Dhabi International Hackathon for Social Good focusing on Quantum Computing.

Time

Description

7:00-9:00PM

DJ Spooky Performance from NYC

Central Plaza (Under the Palm Trees)

Presented by the NYUAD Hackathon in collaboration with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Acclaimed composer, multimedia artist, and writer Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky, spins his vibrant sounds for an evening of NY-based electronic music and hip hop. When he’s not spinning sounds, Miller explores the intersections of art and quantum physics, making this performance the perfect way to mark the annual NYU Abu Dhabi International Hackathon for Social Good focusing on Quantum Computing.

Day 1 – Friday, April 28, 2023

NYUAD Saadiyat Campus Conference Center (A6)

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9:00am-9:15am

Hackathon Welcome, Opening Remarks and Agenda

Sana Odeh, NYUAD Hackathon Founder and Chair, and a Clinical Professor, NYU NY and Affiliated Faculty at NYUAD

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9:20–11:30am

Inspirational Technical Lighting Talks and Keynotes

Open to Participants ONLY

Title	Speaker and Description
Quantum Computing and UN Sustainable Goals	Dr Urbasi Sinha Heads the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) laboratory at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Raman Research Institute, India
Exploring Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Trends	Dr Barry Sanders Dr Barry Sanders is Director of the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology at the University of Calgary, Lead Investigator of the Alberta Major Innovation Fund Project on Quantum Technologies, a Distinguished Chair Professor at the University of Science and Technology China and a Vajra Visiting Faculty member of the Raman Research Institute in India. Dr Sanders is especially well known for seminal contributions to theories of quantum-limited measurement, highly nonclassical light, practical quantum cryptography and optical implementations of quantum information tasks. His current research interests include quantum algorithms and implementations of quantum information tasks. Dr. Sanders is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (U.K.), the Optical Society of America, the Australian Institute of Physics, the American Physical Society and the Royal Society of Canada, and a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He is a past President of the Australian Optical Society, past Founding Co-Chair of the Canadian Association of Physicists Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics and former Leader of the Optical Society of America Quantum Optical Science and Technology Technical Group. In 2016 Sanders was awarded the Imperial College London Doctor of Science (DSc) degree. Canada
Exploring emerging trends in QC	Sebastian Hassinger Principal Specialist \| WW Business Development & Go-To-Market \| Amazon Braket, USA
Quantum Computing in Health	Ikken Nada A PhD student at the University Mohammed V in Rabat studying quantum physics. I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate workings of the universe and the fundamental nature of matter and energy, also by how Quantum computer works. My interest in quantum computing began during her undergraduate studies in physics, where i was introduced to the concepts of superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling.
Ideation for Social Impact	Ahmed Jaafari Co-Founder of Annarabic \| Research Manager at Al Akhawayn University Annarabic Al Akhawayn University
Leading Local Change as a Part of the Future of the Quantum Workforce	Jade LeSchack Jade is the founder and president of the Undergraduate Quantum Association at the University of Maryland. She conducts research in AMO physics and in quantum thermodynamics. Jade is excited by the promise of quantum technology and is interested in the entrepreneurial side of the emerging quantum industry.
Quantum Software	Matthias Christandl Leader of the Quantum for Life Center, University Copenhagen
QC health technology: Why Quantum Computing can be used in Cancer Early Screening	Zixiao Xu A Student at Carnegie Mellon. I worked as a Research Engineer intern in Tencent Turing lab, and Research Engineer intern in Nvidia.
Educational Quantum Experiment: Quantum Eraser	Ioannis Theodonis Ioannis Theodonis works as a physics lab instructor at the Physics department of the School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the National Technical University of Athens.
The NYUAD Hackathon experience and How to succeed during this Hackathon	Sama Kanbour Sr. Director, GE. Former NYUAD Hackathon participant
Optimizing logistics with Quantum computing	Pawel Gora CEO, Quantum AI Foundation
TII Quantum Research Center	Dr. Ingo Roth Lead Scientist on Characterization and Benchmarking of Quantum Devices at the Quantum Research Center, TTI, UAE
Quantum Computing For Affordable And Clean Energy	Elena Acinapura ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)
The impact of Quantum Education in Empowering the Next Generation of Diverse Quantum Leaders	Amir Karamlou Amir is a doctoral candidate in the Engineering Quantum Systems (EQuS) lab at MIT and a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. His research focuses on experimental quantum computation using superconducting qubits, and in particular quantum simulation. Prior to pursuing a PhD Amir graduated from MIT with a B.S. in Physics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and an M.Eng in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2018 where he worked on control and high-fidelity readout of NV centers in diamond. Outside of the lab he is involved with the Qubit by Qubit initiative as the lead instructor of the year-long introductory quantum computing program aimed towards high school students.”
When Technology Meets Humanity: Shaping a Future with Purpose and Empathy	Andrea Violante CEO – Strategy & Business Designer at NiEW
QC Applications	Kanav Setia Co-founder and CEO – qBraid
UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs)	Davide Fanciulli Assistant Program Management Officer, UN SDG Lab
“How to Succeed during the NYUAD Hackathon based on the experience of the winning Team from last year”	Sahar Nenrached, and Shantanu Rajesh Jha Sahar Nenrached is a PhD Student in Quantum Computer Architecture at Universitat Politcnica de Catalunya, and Shantanu Rajesh Jha is a PhD Student @ MIT; co-Founder, CEO @ Boston Quantum
Vision of the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS)	Hisham Sati Director of the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS); NYUAD Associate Dean of Science; Professor and Program Head of Mathematics at NYUAD; A member of the NYUAD Hackathon Program Committee
qBraid: Using the schedule and accounts for QC machines	Ricky Young COO and Quantum software engineer, qBraid

Title

Speaker and Description

Quantum Computing and UN Sustainable Goals

Dr Urbasi Sinha

Heads the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) laboratory at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Raman Research Institute, India

Exploring Quantum Computing and Machine Learning Trends

Dr Barry Sanders

Dr Barry Sanders is Director of the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology at the University of Calgary, Lead Investigator of the Alberta Major Innovation Fund Project on Quantum Technologies, a Distinguished Chair Professor at the University of Science and Technology China and a Vajra Visiting Faculty member of the Raman Research Institute in India. Dr Sanders is especially well known for seminal contributions to theories of quantum-limited measurement, highly nonclassical light, practical quantum cryptography and optical implementations of quantum information tasks. His current research interests include quantum algorithms and implementations of quantum information tasks. Dr. Sanders is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (U.K.), the Optical Society of America, the Australian Institute of Physics, the American Physical Society and the Royal Society of Canada, and a Senior Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He is a past President of the Australian Optical Society, past Founding Co-Chair of the Canadian Association of Physicists Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics and former Leader of the Optical Society of America Quantum Optical Science and Technology Technical Group. In 2016 Sanders was awarded the Imperial College London Doctor of Science (DSc) degree. Canada

Exploring emerging trends in QC

Sebastian Hassinger

Principal Specialist | WW Business Development & Go-To-Market | Amazon Braket, USA

Quantum Computing in Health

Ikken Nada

A PhD student at the University Mohammed V in Rabat studying quantum physics. I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate workings of the universe and the fundamental nature of matter and energy, also by how Quantum computer works. My interest in quantum computing began during her undergraduate studies in physics, where i was introduced to the concepts of superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling.

Ideation for Social Impact

Ahmed Jaafari

Co-Founder of Annarabic | Research Manager at Al Akhawayn University
Annarabic
Al Akhawayn University

Leading Local Change as a Part of the Future of the Quantum Workforce

Jade LeSchack

Jade is the founder and president of the Undergraduate Quantum Association at the University of Maryland. She conducts research in AMO physics and in quantum thermodynamics. Jade is excited by the promise of quantum technology and is interested in the entrepreneurial side of the emerging quantum industry.

Quantum Software

Matthias Christandl

Leader of the Quantum for Life Center, University Copenhagen

QC health technology: Why Quantum Computing can be used in Cancer Early Screening

Zixiao Xu

A Student at Carnegie Mellon. I worked as a Research Engineer intern in Tencent Turing lab, and Research Engineer intern in Nvidia.

Educational Quantum Experiment: Quantum Eraser

Ioannis Theodonis

Ioannis Theodonis works as a physics lab instructor at the Physics department of the School of Applied Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the National Technical University of Athens.

The NYUAD Hackathon experience and How to succeed during this Hackathon

Sama Kanbour

Sr. Director, GE. Former NYUAD Hackathon participant

Optimizing logistics with Quantum computing

Pawel Gora

CEO, Quantum AI Foundation

TII Quantum Research Center

Dr. Ingo Roth

Lead Scientist on Characterization and Benchmarking of Quantum Devices at the Quantum Research Center, TTI, UAE

Quantum Computing For Affordable And Clean Energy

Elena Acinapura

ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)

The impact of Quantum Education in Empowering the Next Generation of Diverse Quantum Leaders

Amir Karamlou

Amir is a doctoral candidate in the Engineering Quantum Systems (EQuS) lab at MIT and a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. His research focuses on experimental quantum computation using superconducting qubits, and in particular quantum simulation. Prior to pursuing a PhD Amir graduated from MIT with a B.S. in Physics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and an M.Eng in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2018 where he worked on control and high-fidelity readout of NV centers in diamond. Outside of the lab he is involved with the Qubit by Qubit initiative as the lead instructor of the year-long introductory quantum computing program aimed towards high school students.”

When Technology Meets Humanity: Shaping a Future with Purpose and Empathy

Andrea Violante

CEO – Strategy & Business Designer at NiEW

QC Applications

Kanav Setia

Co-founder and CEO – qBraid

UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs)

Davide Fanciulli

Assistant Program Management Officer, UN SDG Lab

“How to Succeed during the NYUAD Hackathon based on the experience of the winning Team from last year”

Sahar Nenrached, and Shantanu Rajesh Jha

Sahar Nenrached is a PhD Student in Quantum Computer Architecture at Universitat Politcnica de Catalunya, and Shantanu Rajesh Jha is a PhD Student @ MIT; co-Founder, CEO @ Boston Quantum

Vision of the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS)

Hisham Sati

Director of the NYUAD Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS); NYUAD Associate Dean of Science; Professor and Program Head of Mathematics at NYUAD; A member of the NYUAD Hackathon Program Committee

qBraid: Using the schedule and accounts for QC machines

Ricky Young

COO and Quantum software engineer, qBraid

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11:30am –1:00pm

Finalize Team Challenge

Open to Participants ONLY

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2:00 – 4:00pm

Finalize Team Challenge and set teams’ schedule for the Hackathon

Open to Participants ONLY

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3:00 – 6:00pm

Teams Announced and Hacking Starts

Teams meet, start working on their projects and finish presentations.

Day 2 – Saturday, April 29, 2023

Teams Work on their own schedule (Only Participants): NYUAD Conference Center (A6)

Open to participants ONLY

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9:00am – 12:00pm

Teams meet and start working on their projects

Each team determines their own schedule

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1:00 – 5:00pm

Teams meet and continue working on their projects

Each team determines their own schedule

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6:00 – 10:00pm

Teams meet and continue working on their projects

Each team determines their own schedule

Day 3 – Sunday, April 30, 2023

Teams Work on their own schedule (Only Participants): NYUAD Conference Center (A6)

Open to participants ONLY

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9:00am-4:30pm

Final submission and judging of applications

Day 3 – Sunday, April 30, 2023

Team Presentations and Judging

PUBLIC EVENT

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5:00 – 5:10pm

Welcome

Sana Odeh, NYUAD Hackathon Founder & Chair and Clinical Professor at NYU NY and Affiliated Faculty at NYUAD

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5:10 – 5:15pm

NYUAD Vision, QC, and UN SDGs

Arlie Petters, Provost, New York University Abu Dhabi

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5:15 – 5:25pm

Signing MOU agreement between NYUAD and Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), supporting the NYUAD Hackathon focusing on the UN SDGs and QC

Arlie Petters, Provost, New York University Abu Dhabi

H.E. Ms. Caroline Trautweiler, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain

Sana Odeh, NYUAD Hackathon Founder & Chair and Clinical Professor at NYU NY and Affiliated Faculty at NYUAD

Marieke Hood, Executive Director Impact Translator

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5:25 – 5:30pm

Keynote Inspirational Talk

Massamba Thioye, Head of the Innovation Hub, UNFCCC, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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5:30 – 5:35pm

Keynote Inspirational Talk

Özge Aydoğan, Head of the SDG Lab, the Innovation Lab at the United Nations Office in Geneva

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5:35 – 6:00pm

Keynote Panel Discussions, Q&A, and Inspirational Talks

Graham Alabaster, Chief of the Geneva Office of UN Habitat, UK
Marieke Hood, Executive Director Impact Translator, GESDA, France
Heike Rill, Head of Science & Technology and Lead of IBM Research Quantum Europe, Switzerland
Urbasi Sinha, Professor at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), India
Dr. Barry Sanders, Director of the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology at the University of Calgary, Canada
Davide Venturelli, Associate Director, Quantum Computing at USRA – Senior Scientist at Nasa Ames Research Center – Quantum AI Laboratory, USA
Sebastian Hassinger, Principal Specialist | WW Business Development & Go-To-Market | Amazon Braket, USA

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6:00 – 6:15pm

Keynote: “First Flight from Earth to Mars”

Loay Elbasyouni is a Palestinian-American electrical engineer who worked on the NASA team and was the lead engineer for designing the innovative robotic helicopter (Ingenuity) that landed on Mars in 2021. He has been awarded several awards for his exceptional contribution to the Mars helicopter. Loay has over 20 years of work experience focused on power electronics in several industries, including automotive, renewable energy, and aerospace. He is a Transformative leadership advisor at the University of California. He is a Tech Leader, Speaker and his mission is to electrify everything from Cars to Space Rockets for a better tomorrow.

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6:15-7:30pm

Team Presentations

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7:30-8:00pm

Judging

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7:30-7:40pm

Keynote: Quantum Computing Tech Talk

Heike Rill, Head of Science & Technology and Lead of IBM Research Quantum Europe

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7:40-7:50pm

Keynote: Advances in Quantum Optimization

Davide Venturelli, Associate Director, Quantum Computing at USRA – Senior Scientist at Nasa Ames Research Center – Quantum AI Laboratory

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7:50-8:00pm

Keynote: How Quantum is a Quantum Computer?

Urbasi Sinha, Professor at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), India

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8:00:8:10pm

Keynote: Music and Quantum Computing Talk

Paul. D. Miller (aka DJ Spooky): Acclaimed composer, multimedia artist, and writer Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky, spins his vibrant sounds for an evening of NY-based electronic music and hip hop. When he’s not spinning sounds, Miller explores the intersections of art and quantum physics, making this performance the perfect way to mark the annual NYU Abu Dhabi International Hackathon for Social Good focusing on Quantum Computing.