In person event (no zoom available)!!

Bio: Dr. James Stokes is a Research Fellow at the Flatiron Institute with a joint position at the Computational Center for Quantum Physics and the Center for Computational Mathematics.  He completed his Ph.D at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on quantum field theory. His recent research intersects machine learning, quantum information and condensed matter physics. Previously, James was a postdoctoral researcher in the Computer and Information Science Department at University of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2018. James also worked as a quant in the finance industry before his postdoc and as a research scientist at a machine learning startup.

Geometry and numerics of variational quantum algorithms and classical counterparts

Stokes will review a family of variational algorithms which have been proposed as candidates to make use of near- to intermediate-term quantum computers, placing particular emphasis on geometric and numeric features that are shared by classical variational stochastic approximation algorithms. Stokes will also discuss some applications of this hybrid quantum-classical approach to scientific and engineering problems beyond its traditional domain of application.

This seminar is co-hosted by the Michigan Center for Applied & Interdisciplinary Mathematics (MCAIM) and the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering (MICDE) at the University of Michigan. Dr. Stokes will be hosted by Prof. Shravan Veerapaneni, professor of mathematics. Questions? Email [email protected]