Vivek Dhande and Mojtaba (Moji) Khavaninzadeh’s paths into the field of quantum sciences, though different, share common threads of curiosity and inspiration.
Vivek is currently an Engineering Science student specializing in Engineering Physics. By the time he reached his third year, he chose this specialization because it offered a blend of electrical engineering and quantum physics. The flexibility of this program allowed him to explore various disciplines, but quantum computing captured his interest. When Vivek was in grade 11, his father showed him a talk by IBM researcher Dr. Talia Gershon titled, “A Beginner’s Guide to Quantum Computing.” The YouTube video broke down the fundamentals of quantum computing, kick-starting Vivek’s journey in self-studying the field. Dinner table conversations often involved electronics and engineering concepts. Years before, a collaborative solar panel science fair project had already sparked Vivek’s fascination with engineering.
Moji’s story starts with a high school field trip to the Ontario Science Centre, where he encountered an exhibit by the Institute for Quantum Computing. This experience opened his eyes to the practical applications of quantum science, beyond the abstract concepts discussed in his grade eleven physics class. The realization that quantum technologies were not just theoretical but had real-world applications sparked a strong interest in him. He began following influential figures in the field, such as the late Professor Peter Wittek, a pioneer in quantum machine learning and a key figure in the Creative Destruction Lab’s quantum stream.
Both Vivek and Moji have had opportunities to work on projects that have allowed them to apply their learning through hands-on practice. Vivek was one of the recipients of the Summer 2022 CQIQC Undergraduate Summer Research scholarships, which gave him the opportunity to work in the group of Professor Sorin Voinigescu, focusing on atomistic simulation of production CMOS semiconductor quantum dot devices for spin-qubit quantum computing. He is currently working with Professor Andreas Wallraff at ETH Zürich for his Bachelor’s thesis project on optimizing transmon qubit design to reduce crosstalk in 3D-integrated superconducting quantum processors. “We will put qubits on one chip and the control circuitry on another. We then use Indium to glue them together. Not only do we get more flexibility in terms of fabrication but also, we hope, a reduction in one qubit from unintentionally affecting another –that’s called crosstalk!” What makes this project particularly exciting for Vivek is experiencing firsthand a complete research process, from design and simulation to fabrication and measurement.
Across the table, Moji shared his own journey into quantum research, specifically, quantum optics. “Last summer, as part of the University of Toronto’s Department of Physics Summer Student Program, I worked with Professors Aephraim Steinberg and Joseph Thywiseen and I got to contribute to some of the laser cooling stages of the project towards achieving a Bose-Einstein Condensate implementation,” he said. His excitement about quantum sciences, particularly quantum optics, was palpable during the conversation “there is a lot of exciting things that one can do using light-matter interaction. To tell you about my project, imagine you have a cloud of atoms. You can bring these atoms down to an extraordinarily low temperature, around a millionth of a Kelvin. At these temperatures, the atoms enter a quantum regime. This is where interactions within the system become extremely intriguing, and the physics involved becomes quite complex”. Understanding these interactions, and the intersection of engineering and physics is at the core of Moji’s intellectual curiosity.
Their passion for quantum sciences extends beyond classrooms and laboratories. Vivek and Moji have been actively involved in initiatives at the University of Toronto, aiming to engage undergraduate students in the field. One of these initiatives is the U of T Quantum Computing Club (UTQC), founded in January 2021 with a simple but important mission: “to introduce Quantum Computing to all who are interested.” Moji is one of the club’s original founders, and he remembered that it all began with a group of engineering students who wanted to create a space for undergraduates to learn about quantum sciences because, at the time, most quantum computing related courses were primarily for graduate students. When they started the club, their goal was to provide “a place for the undergraduate students to come in, without peer pressure, without feeling forced to join in, where they could see what quantum science quantum information science is really about,” he said.
Moji was invited by Zhengbang Zhou, the club’s first president, to help as a program director. Together, they organized various events and programs, including the “qLearn” series and networking events. These initiatives aim to demystify quantum computing and make it accessible to undergraduates. UTQC, Moji explains, is a multidisciplinary space where students from different fields —engineering, computer science, physics, math, and chemistry— can explore quantum science. The goal is to spark conversations about this field early on, ensuring that undergraduate students know it is a viable area of study and research.
Vivek joined the UTQC in 2021, stepping into the role of internal operations. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the club thrived, offering accessible quantum education to both undergraduate and graduate students. Vivek is particularly proud of the success of the “qLearn” lecture series, an initiative that also began in 2021. Two years later, Vivek, along with fellow student, Arkaprava Choudhury, led sessions on quantum hardware and algorithms, respectively. This initiative successfully attracted 26 dedicated students who completed the program.
This series also enhanced Vivek's teaching skills, as he had to prepare 50-minute classes: “It was interesting for me, because I compiled my own knowledge of quantum hardware into structured lecture notes which strengthened my understanding of the topic.” The success of the lecture series is palpable throughout U of T: “I'm really fond of that initiative because many students that attended have pursued courses and research in the field. They have participated in other quantum-related events and are starting to take up more spaces to learn about quantum,” said Vivek.
Vivek, Moji, and their teammates are involved in other initiatives, such as the Q-SITE Conference. These initiatives and current work are shaped by advice they wished they had received when they started university. Moji emphasizes the importance of exploring research opportunities early, even if they are not directly related to a student’s ultimate field of interest. He believes that gaining experience in various scientific areas during the first and second years of undergraduate studies is crucial: “Do any research in your first, second, and even at the beginning of the third year. In the summers, I would recommend getting involved in a research project even if it has nothing to do with quantum mechanics if you can”. This way, by the time students reach their third and fourth years, they have a more robust resume and skill set. He highlights that skills in scientific computing and electrical projects are highly transferable to quantum research, advising students not to focus solely on quantum-related work initially. For its part, Vivek also highlights the importance of exploring different fields to discover what truly interests them, rather than committing to a single path too early. He invites students to actively look for what different programs offer and to embrace curiosity, even if it means changing fields after a year or two: “No one is going to spoon-feed you, you have to take the initiative and do what you think is interesting.” Reflecting on his own experience, Vivek found that his initial exploration in quantum computing led to a sustained interest, demonstrating the value of this exploratory approach during the early undergraduate years.
Bios:
Mojtaba (Moji) Khavaninzadeh is in his final year of physics at the University of Toronto, excited about diving into experimental quantum optics. Outside of his studies, he enjoys sharing his passion for science and has a growing interest in science policy, all while spreading the word about the amazing world of quantum technologies!
Vivek Dhande is a University of Toronto B.A.Sc Engineering Science student specializing in Engineering Physics. He completed his PEY Co-Op at Xanadu, supporting various hardware simulation packages and data management projects. His research focuses on quantum computing hardware research with a current Bachelor's thesis project on transmon qubit design in flip-chip-based superconducting quantum processors at the Quantum Device Lab at ETH Zurich. His past projects include 3D-integrated quantum devices for hole-spin qubits using flip-chip technology at UBC as well as DFT simulation of spin-qubits in semiconductor quantum dot devices in production CMOS technology at UofT.
He is also engaged in promoting undergraduate opportunities in quantum education as the UofT Quantum Computing (UTQC) Club Co-President and Q-SITE Conference Toronto Co-Chair. Current active projects include creating lectures on the different quantum computing hardware platforms as part of UTQC qLearn, organizing a quantum technologies-focused student magazine, and maintaining an online community with more than eleven university quantum clubs across North America.