Mason Celebrates World Quantum Day 2026

George Mason World Quantum Day 2026 Celebration Agenda

All sessions take place in George's (Third Floor) Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus, George Mason University

8:30 to 9 a.m.
Coffee and Continental Breakfast.

9 to 9:20 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Cody W. Edwards, Dean, College of Science, George Mason University
Patrick Vora, Director, Quantum Science and Engineering Center, George Mason University

9:20 to 9:45 a.m.
Keynote 1: Quantum Computing and Algorithms
Bruno Avritzer, Quantum Scientist, Leidos

9:45 to 10:20 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Quantum Computing and Algorithms
Moderator: Weiwen Jiang, Associate Director, QSEC, George Mason University
Bruno Avritzer, Leidos
Fei Li, Associate Director, QSEC, George Mason University

10:20 to 10:30 a.m.
Break.

10:30 to 11:10 a.m.
Keynote 2: Quantum Materials, Devices, and Sensing
Elizabeth Iwasawa, Quantum Scientist, Leidos

11:10 to 11:50 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Quantum Materials, Devices, and Sensing
Moderator: Sean Oliver, Senior Physicist, MITRE
Karen Sauer, Professor of Physics, George Mason University
Bogdan Neculaes, Deputy Chief Engineer, Boeing
Ceferino Obcemea, Program Director at NIH/NCI

George Mason World Quantum Day 2026 Celebration Agenda

All sessions take place in George's (Third Floor) Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus, George Mason University

1 to 1:25 p.m.
Keynote 3: Quantum Education, Workforce, and Careers
Jordan Kenyon, Quantum Scientist, Booz Allen Hamilton

1:25 to 1:50 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Quantum Education, Workforce, and Careers
Moderator: Jessica Rosenberg, Director of Education, QSEC, George Mason University
Nancy Holincheck, Associate Director, QSEC, George Mason University
Leonard Woody, Senior Director, IonQ
Jordan Kenyon, Quantum Scientist, Booz Allen Hamilton

1:50 to 2:30 p.m.
Break and Student Posters.

2:30 to 2:50 p.m.
Keynote 4: Economic Development and Quantum Industry
George Thomas, President & CEO, Connected DMV

2:50 to 3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Economic Development and Quantum Industry
Moderator: George Thomas, President & CEO, Connected DMV
Andre Marshall, VP Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, George Mason University
Terry Clower, Director, Center for Regional Analysis, George Mason University
The Honorable Gibson Armstrong, Head of Enterprise Growth, TreQ

3:30 to 5 p.m.
Closing Remarks and Reception.

Many thanks to our community and industry partners for their sponsorship of this event, including our signature sponsor, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Other World Quantum Day Celebration supporters include, Booz Allen Hamilton, Connected DMV, IonQ, Leidos, Mitre, National Institute of Health/ National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI), and TreQ.

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If you would like to receive updates or learn more about opportunities to engage, please contact George Mason University College of Science Senior Director of Development, Audrey Kelaher at akelahe@gmu.edu.