Ramanathan (Ram) Vaidyanathan
Who we are
The SQA is a unique partnership between four world-leading universities – Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney. We are generously supported by the New South Wales Government.
Published on:
Accelerate growth
Our vision is to build a quantum-ready Australia. Collaborating with academia, industry and government, SQA will harness Sydney’s collective quantum expertise to develop diverse talent and a globally recognised quantum ecosystem.
Specifically, we:
Develop
future quantum leaders, specialists and entrepreneurs through education and training
Partner
to understand the industry’s and the community’s evolving needs
Attract
global talent and investment
Promote
the responsible development and use of quantum technologies
Peter Turner
Director
In addition to his role as Director of the Sydney Quantum Academy, Professor Turner holds a position at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Macquarie University, and is a member of the Macquarie University Research Centre for Quantum Engineering.
Active in the quantum information field for nearly 20 years, Professor Turner completed his MSc and PhD in Physics at the University of Toronto, followed by an Alberta Ingenuity Fellowship at the Institute for Quantum Information Science at the University of Calgary, and an Assistant Professorship in Physics at the University of Tokyo.
As Director of the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Bristol, Professor Turner established arguably the world's first program aimed directly at preparing graduates for the nascent quantum technology industry. In addition to delivering novel graduate training, during his directorship he also oversaw engagement with government and industry partners.
Professor Turner has an extensive research track record with over AUD$15.5 million awarded in competitive funding from the UK, US, Japan and Canada.
Our Management Team
Emaly Black
Emily Cook
Governance
The Executive Board provides strategic oversight and direction for the SQA's activities. Current members are:
| Name | University |
|---|---|
| Dr Cathy Foley | Independent Chair |
| Prof Sakkie Pretorius | Macquarie University |
| Prof Bronwyn Fox | University of New South Wales |
| Prof Kate McGrath | University of Technology Sydney |
| Prof Julie Cairney | The University of Sydney |
| Prof Alex Fuerbach (delegate) | Macquarie University |
| Prof Dane McCamey (delegate) | University of New South Wales |
| Prof Kaska Musial-Gabrys (delegate) | University of Technology Sydney |
| Prof Kate Jolliffe (delegate) | The University of Sydney |
| Prof Peter Turner | SQA Director |
The External Advisory Board provides advice, expertise and insights to support the SQA to develop and achieve its strategic objectives. Current members are:
| Position | |
|---|---|
| Mr Bill Bartee | Managing Director and Partner, Main Sequence Ventures |
| Mr Michael Brett | Worldwide Business Development for Quantum Computing, Amazon Web Services |
| Prof Hugh Durrant-Whyte | NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, New South Wales Government |
| Prof Chris Vale | Director, Quantum Technologies Future Science Platform, CSIRO |
| Dr Hanhee Paik | Senior Research Scientist, IBM Quantum |
| Dr Hartmut Neven | Head of Quantum Computing, Google |
| Dr Naomi Nickerson | Sr. Director, Quantum Architecture, PsiQuantum |
| Dr Vikram Sharma | Chief Executive Officer, Quintessence Labs |
| Dr Krysta Svore | General Manager of Quantum Software, Microsoft |
| Mr Robert Hunjet | DSTG Program Leader- Artificial Intelligence, Department of Defence |
The Technical Advisory Committee advises the SQA CEO on the strategic direction of the SQA with reference to the quantum ecosystem and the priorities and capabilities of the partner universities. Three members from each partner university are nominated to the committee. Current members are:
| Name | University |
|---|---|
| Prof Ivan Kassal | The University of Sydney |
| A/Prof Dominic Berry | Macquarie University |
| Prof Susan Coppersmith | UNSW Sydney |
| Dr Xanthe Croot | The University of Sydney |
| Prof Andrew Doherty | The University of Sydney |
| A/Prof Alexei Gilchrist | Macquarie University |
| Dr Marika Kieferova | University of Technology Sydney |
| Dr Harley Scammell | University of Technology Sydney |
| Prof Andrea Morello | UNSW Sydney |
| Dr Jarryd Pla | UNSW Sydney |
| A/Prof Youming Qiao | University of Technology Sydney |