Dr. Christian Binek
Paula and D.B. Varner Professor, UNL. Physics and Astronomy.
Quantum Approaches: A Professional Development Workshop for Undergraduates
This is a professional development workshop for undergraduate students in all STEM majors who are curious about potentially pursuing careers in Quantum Science and Engineering. The workshop will take place over Zoom on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
We will have researchers with experience in a variety of science, engineering, and mathematics disciplines on panels describing their careers and giving advice about applying to internships, graduate programs, and jobs. Students will have the opportunity at the end of the afternoon to chat with the panelist(s) of their choice in a breakout room.
This workshop is funded by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Grand Challenges catalyst award entitled “Quantum Approaches addressing Global Threats.”
Registrants will be provided the Zoom link for the workshop in the week preceeding the workshop. Registration is due Wednesday, September 2nd. Register Here
Schedule
Saturday, September 12
(All times below are in US Central Daylight Time)
Opening Remarks/Welcome 1:00-1:10 PM
Panel 1: Career Pathways in quantum science and engineering 1:10-2:10 PM
Dr. Joan Dreiling [Physics, Quantinuum], Dr. Abdelghani Laraoui [Mechanical and Materials Engineering, UNL], Dr. Derek Stewart [Computational Materials Science, Western Digital], Dr. Robert Streubel [Physics, UNL], Dr. Yanang (Laura) Wang [Electrical and Computer Engineering, UNL].
Moderator: Ana Podariu [Mathematics, UNL]
Break 2:10-2:20 PM
Panel 2: Advice on applying to grad school, REUs, interships, and jobs 2:20-3:20 PM
Dr. Christian Binek [Physics, UNL], Dr. Florin Bobaru [Mechanical and Materials Engineering, UNL], Dr. Peter Dowben [Physics, UNL], Dr. Maya Fabrikant [Physics, Quantinuum], Dr. Yinsheng Guo [Chemistry, UNL].
Moderator: Susan Hermiller [Mathematics, UNL] or Audrey Goodnight [Mathematics, UNL]
Break 3:20-3:30 PM
Individual Q&A With All Panelists 3:30-4:00 PM
Students will join a breakout room with the panelist of their choice to ask questions.
Wrap-Up/Closing Remarks 4:00-4:10 PM
Panelists
In alphabetical order by last name:
Dr. Florin Bobaru
Professor, UNL. Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
Dr. Peter Dowben
Charles Bessey Professor, UNL. Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Joan Dreiling
Lead Physicist, Quantinuum. Trapped-ion quantum computing.
Dr. Maya Fabrikant
Research Scientist, Quantinuum. Vacuum Technology, Lasers, Physical Chemistry.
Dr. Yinsheng Guo
Assistant Professor, UNL. Chemistry.
Dr. Abdelghani Laraoui
Leonard A. Lovell Associate Professor, UNL. Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
Dr. Derek Stewart
Senior Technologist, Western Digital. Non-volatile memory materials group, San Jose Research Center, Domain expert for materials simulations.
Dr. Robert Streubel
Associate Professor, UNL. Physics and Astronomy.
Dr. Yanan (Laura) Wang
Assistant Professor, UNL. Electrical and Computer Engineering.