Francesco Benfenati

Francesco Benfenati, Ph.D.

AI Sales Engineer

Francesco received his PhD in mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Brescia, having spent 6 months at MIT as a visiting student, and his bachelors and masters in physics at the University of Milan. After focusing on molecular dynamics simulations, he started pursuing a career in quantum computing as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of L’Aquila, where he was collaborating with the IBM research team in Zurich, and later as a quantum software developer at Multiverse Computing.

Why have you chosen a career in quantum?
Before studying physics I briefly attended classes in engineering, but I wanted to have a deeper understanding of the laws of physics and then use them to create something groundbreaking with real-world applications. This is exactly what quantum is doing now!

What is a problem you dream of solving (with quantum)?
I would like to be able to study large simulations of matter at a quantum level, enabling the discovery of new molecules and materials with unimaginable properties.

What’s your superpower?
I have learned to break down large problems into smaller and smaller ones, until I am able to solve them.

If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?
I would like to listen to Neil Armstrong telling the story about walking on the Moon. I had the pleasure of listening to Jim Lovell of the Apollo 13 already!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Not to worry about making mistakes.

What are people often surprised to know about you?
That I’m a quantum physicist! People are often very curious about it.