When Uma Girish presents her research on quantum computing, she often spends extra time explaining it — even to fellow computer scientists. Now an assistant professor in the research stream at the University of Toronto’s Department of Computer Science, Girish hopes to use her research and expertise to make quantum computing more accessible to peers without a background in the field.

“I’d like to convince my colleagues that ideas from classical computing are useful for understanding quantum computing and to demystify it for those who may not have studied quantum mechanics or physics,” she says. “The field is in its infancy, so theoretical and fundamental research can play a major role.”

Girish herself came to quantum computing through mathematics and computer science. She earned her PhD at Princeton University after completing her BSc and MSc at India’s Chennai Mathematical Institute. Before joining U of T in July, she was a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University.

Understanding what gives quantum computers an edge

Sitting at the intersection of quantum computing, complexity theory and the analysis of Boolean functions, Girish’s research explores what gives quantum computers an advantage over classical computers.

“What problems can quantum computers solve, and what can they do better than classical computers is the basis of my work,” she says. “Quantum computers can exploit several resources, such as entanglement and superposition. Which of these are necessary for quantum computers to have an advantage? Does that advantage persist when quantum computers are affected by environmental disturbances?”

As researchers and companies race to demonstrate the practical advantages of quantum computing, Girish says one area of particular interest is finding a convincing demonstration of quantum advantage that is theoretically sound, verifiable and actually works on a real quantum computer.

“We have yet to find a problem to show a demonstration that meets all these criteria,” she says. “The quest for a quantum advantage demo is the holy grail in the field.”

That quest is something Girish looks forward to pursuing at U of T. She is also excited about opportunities for collaboration through the Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Control.