Reece Robertson

Reece Robertson

Baltimore, Maryland, USA | reecerobertson@umbc.edu

I am a computer science PhD candidate (ABD), with an emphasis in quantum information science, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). My advisors are Dr. Sebastian Deffner and Dr. Justyna Zwolak. I am a member of the Quantum Thermodynamics Group at UMBC. My research interests are quantum information science, error-assisted quantum algorithms, quantum artificial intelligence, quantum networking, and quantum cryptography.

Note: It seems that you need to be logged into an X account to see my posts on that platform.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
December 2026
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
Master of Science in Computer Science
December 2024
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
Bachelor of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics
April 2022
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT, USA

Research Experience

Research Assistant
July 2026 — Present
University of Maryland
Gaithersburg, MD, USA
  • Implementing machine learning (RL and CNN) protocols for quantum dot device autotuning.
  • Investigating logical qubit instantiation and autotuning to produce error-corrected quantum dots.
  • Developing characterization, calibration, and correction packages to extend the quantum software stack.
Graduate Research Assistant
January 2025 — Present
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Designing error-assisted quantum algorithms for optimization, scheduling, and network communication.
  • Studying and mitigating the effects of hardware noise on quantum algorithm performance.
  • Assisting with student mentoring, course development, and lab outreach.
Quantum Computing Engineer, Specialist
May 2021 — July 2026
KBR
Chantilly, VA, USA
  • Led a research team to publish 3 papers on beyond-break-even quantum error-correction and optimization.
  • Served as Scrum Master to lead development of software tool for hardware-aware quantum algorithm compilation.
  • Implemented Qiskit, Cirq, Tket, and Pennylane solutions on 10+ quantum computers for industrial applications.
  • Tied for first place and earned advanced distinction in all 2021 — 2024 IBM Quantum Challenges.
Quantum Computing Summer School Fellow
June 2025 — August 2025
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM, USA
  • Investigated noise-aware variational algorithm optimization using tensor networks (JAX).
  • Obtained high-performance computing certification through 20+ hour course.
Undergraduate Researcher in Quantum Field Theory
July 2020 — May 2021
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT, USA
  • Studied interaction of elementary particles in square potential well using partial differential equations.
  • Presented weekly on topics in quantum field theory.

Teaching Experience

Quantum Computing & Software Development Guest Lecturer
August 2022 — December 2024
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Lectured bimonthly to graduate and undergraduate students on quantum computation and programming.
  • Organized collaborative symposium between 20+ computer scientists and quantum physicists.
  • Facilitated group and individual project presentation events for 100+ students.
  • Fielded questions regarding lecture material and community best practices.
Quantum Computing, Coding Theory, & Software Development Teaching Assistant
August 2022 — December 2024
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Mentored 300+ graduate and upper-class undergraduate students in quantum computing and coding theory.
  • Mentored 150+ upper-class undergraduate students throughout the software development life cycle.
  • Wrote weekly course materials, graded weekly assignments, and facilitated monthly tests.
Instructor for Qubit by Qubit High School Summer Program for UMBC
July 2024
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Taught 15+ high school students foundational principles of quantum information science.
  • Guided students in quantum software research and development projects.
  • Fostered continuing research collaboration with an exceptional student which led to a publication.
Algorithm Design Lab Teaching Assistant
August 2021 — December 2021
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT, USA
  • Taught 90+ undergraduates in Python programming and essential programming concepts.
  • Trained students to effectively write and debug code for 8 hours per week.

Publications

Presentations

Students

Undergraduate Researchers

Press

Awards