Name: Johnny Biederman
Pronouns: he/him
Institution: Oral Roberts University
Department: Computer Science and Mathematics
Biography:
I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma by my Brazilian mother and American father. My academic career began at Oral Roberts University in 2020 as a computer science student. After taking classes with Dr. Stephen Wheat I became interested in really understanding how computers operated. In my sophomore year, a course in discrete mathematics opened my eyes to the beauty of mathematics and compelled me to double major in mathematics. These interests converged when I took Automata and Complexity Theory and learned about the mathematical basis of computing. Inspired by Dr. Wheat, I decided to pursue a career in high performance computing. During the course of my studies I learned about the advancements made in quantum computing and became enthralled by the idea of a new type of computer that could tackle previously infeasible problems. There are no courses offered at my university about quantum computing or mechanics so I have been studying the field on my own. I hope to one day contribute to solving a currently open problem in mathematics or computer science. Aside from my academic interests I am also interested in poetry, music, and linguistics (my interest in linguistics could potentially be considered academic).
Academic Status: Undergraduate Student
Year in program: 4th
Research Area/Department: Computer Science; Mathematics
Other, specify:
Major/Specialty: I have tried to take courses that would prepare me for a career in High Performance Computing or give me a deeper understanding of how computers work and their relation to mathematics.
Degrees Earned or in Progress: Bachelor of Science with double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, on course to graduate May 2024
What courses or academic preparation have you completed to prepare for a summer internship experience?
I have completed computer science courses in compiler design, high performance computing, and distributed systems, and am currently in operating systems and analysis of algorithms. The mathematics courses I have completed include calculus III, linear algebra, and ‘automata and complexity theory’.
Have you published any research or worked on research/technical projects? Yes
Where has your research been published or where have you conducted research/technical projects? During my undergraduate career I worked on two research projects. The first of which compared RNA sequences of different strains of COVID-19 against each other, and the second was a self directed attempt to develop a quantum solution for traveling salesman problem. Neither resulted in a paper being published.
Please describe your research/academic interests:
I am primarily interested in learning about quantum computing. I have a general interest in learning about the architecture and physical construction of quantum computers, but what I would like to specialize in is quantum algorithms and how we would use the technology to solve mathematical problems beyond the power of classical computers. Topics that interest me in the realm of classical computing include operating system design, the logic behind compilers and programming languages, and scientific computing.
Computational and Data Science Areas:
Computer Science; High-Performance Computing; Quantum Computing and Information Science
Research Synergy:
Since quantum computers are able to help us solve problems that would take an infeasible amount of time for classical computers, I believe they will be key in helping mathematicians, physicians, and scientists solve currently open problems. I would love to help the effort at the National Labs to develop algorithms, programming languages, and architectures to realize widespread quantum computing.
Motivation:
I want to get to know the people and research at the forefront of new fields in computing and mathematics. The Department of Energy has historically been instrumental in keeping America safe and competitive, developing new technologies, and promoting scientific advancement. I want my professional career to be spent exploring topics I find interesting and helping people; and I believe the National Labs to be an excellent place to do both those things.
Lightning Talk Title: Better Understanding Quantum Computing