From Quantum Circuits to Quantum Computers: A Fireside Chat with Dr. John Martinis
Moderated by Dr. William Oliver
Monday, 8 June 2026
17:30-19:00
Ballroom, MCEC
Abstract: Quantum computers are fundamentally different than conventional computers. They promise to address certain problems that are practically prohibitive and even impossible to solve using today’s supercomputers. The challenge is building one that is large enough to be useful. In this Fireside Chat, we will talk with one of the pioneers in the field, Dr. John Martinis, 2025 Nobel Prize awardee in Physics, CTO and co-founder of Qolab. We will talk through John’s perspectives on the past, present, and future of quantum circuitry, the promise, the hype, and the challenges ahead associated with realizing useful quantum computers at scale.
Bio: John Martinis is a distinguished physicist and 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, renowned for his pioneering contributions to superconducting quantum computing. His research has been central to developing high-fidelity qubits and engineering the architectures needed for scalable quantum processors. He previously led Google’s quantum hardware team, where his group achieved the landmark 2019 quantum supremacy experiment — the first demonstration of a quantum computer outperforming the world’s most powerful classical supercomputer on a computational task. In 2022, he co-founded Qolab, where he now serves as CTO and continues to advance next-generation superconducting qubit technology and quantum system design.
Shorter bio:
John Martinis, 2025 Nobel Laureate in Physics, is a pioneer in superconducting quantum computing. He previously led Google’s quantum hardware team, achieving the landmark 2019 quantum supremacy experiment. He is now the CTO and co-founder of Qolab, advancing next-generation superconducting qubit technologies.
Bio: William D. Oliver is jointly appointed the Henry Ellis Warren (1894) Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He serves as the Director of the Center for Quantum Engineering, Associate Director of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, and Principal Investigator with the Engineering Quantum Systems Group at MIT campus. Will’s research interests include the materials growth, fabrication, design, and measurement of superconducting qubits, as well as the development of cryogenic packaging and control electronics.
From 2003-2023, Will also worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory – most recently as Laboratory Fellow (2017-2023) – where he was instrumental in growing the quantum computing group to its present levels. Will stepped down from this position to co-found Atlantic Quantum, a quantum computing start-up. Atlantic Quantum was acquired by Google in October 2025.
Will is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a Fellow of the IEEE. He serves on the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee, the US Committee for Superconducting Electronics, and as an IEEE Applied Superconductivity Conference (ASC) Lead Editor.
Will received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, his M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and B.A. in Japanese from the University of Rochester (NY).