Blake Wilson

Research Scientist @ Quantinuum

Recent Positions

Research ScientistQuantinuumOxford University
2024 -     
Quantum Algorithms ResearcherQuEra ComputingHarvard University / MIT
2022 - 2023
Machine Learning Team LeadNanoMLPurdue University
2021 - 2024
Algorithms Graduate ResearcherElmore Emerging Frontiers CenterPurdue University
2021 - 2024
Quantum Algorithms Graduate ResearcherQuantum Science CenterPurdue University and Oak Ridge National Lab
2020 - 2024

Education

Doctorate of PhilosophyElectrical and Computer EngineeringPurdue University
2019 - 2024
Bachelor of ScienceComputer EngineeringPurdue University
2015 - 2019

Experience

Machine Learning Team LeadFounder and LeadPurdue University
2021 -     
  • Raised $27k in computing resources through grants, saved $40k in ML costs through server maintenance, and assisted in raising $200k+ for the QSC Summer Schools.
  • Created quantum machine learning algorithms for designing meta-optical devices, achieving a 16200% quantum speed-up resulting in a major milestone for the Quantum Science Center with two news articles and 18 citations [1].
  • Led 6 researchers to develop transformer ML algorithms for tackling the $75B counterfeit chip market leading to a 55,000x speed-up and 41% accuracy increase in the verification of semiconductor devices. Submitted to CVPR 2024. Patent in progress.
Quantum Machine LearningAlgorithms ResearcherQuEra Computing
2022       
  • Demonstrated quantum advantage on neutral atoms for generative AI sampling of photonic devices. Publication and patent are underway.
  • Set team research objectives and wrote quantum simulation software in Python and Julia to simulate Rydberg atom systems for analysis.
  • Verified early-access, open-source, flagship neutral atom simulation software Bloqade on machine learning sampling tasks.
UAV Routing AlgorithmsResearcherAir Force Research Lab
2017 - 2022
Computer Architecture DesignSoftware EngineerARM
2019       
  • Engineered verification software in Python, XML, and C++ for ARMv8 instruction set coverage, leading to a 250% improvement in Chi-Square randomness and immediate positive feedback from customers for improving test consistency.
  • Rebuilt 2 ARMv8 debug intruction tests in ARM's verification suite to reduce the complexity of debugging for customers.
  • Designed a 32-Bit MIPS RISC processor in Verilog with L1-Cache and 5-stage pipeline. Compiled C to MIPS IS and benchmarked on FPGA's.
  • Developed Python to RISCV transpiler for generating Verilog Read-Only-Memory for RISCV-based System-on-Chip.

Publications

Conferences

  1. Singh, D.K., Ojha, R., Chen, Y., Wilson, B., Bezick, M., Boltasseva, A., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Machine Learning Realization of PUFS with Random Plasmonic Systems, CI + AI Cyberinfrastructure Symposium (2023)

  2. Bezick, M., Wilson, B., Boltasseva, A., Latent Diffusion for Material Topology Sampling, CI + AI Cyberinfrastructure Symposium (2023)

  3. Wilson, B., Iyer, V., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Kais, S., Boltasseva, A., Learning Van der Waals Potentials in Surrogate Rydberg Hamiltonians, 3rd Annual Quantum Summer School (2023)

  4. Bezick, M., Wilson, B., Boltasseva, A., Denoising Diffusion for Material Topology Sampling, Spring Undergraduate Research citation (2023)

  5. Singh, D.K., Chen, Y., Wilson, B., Boltasseva, A., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Plasmonic nanoparticle densities for physical verification of unclonable spectral tags in microelectronics packaging, Spring Undergraduate Research citation (2023)

  6. Wilson, B., Chen, Y., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Kais, S., Boltasseva, A., Empowering Quantum 2.0 Devices and Approaches with Machine Learning (QTu2A.13), Quantum 2.0 (2022)

  7. Wilson, B., Iyer, V., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Kais, S., Boltasseva, A., Metasurface Compression Analysis via bVAE Reconstruction Loss, ECE Elmore Emerging Frontiers Center Poster Session (2022)

  8. Boltasseva, A., Shalaev, V., Wilson, B., Machine learning for photonics Active Photonic Platforms, 2022, PC121960T

  9. Wilson, B., Mkhitaryan, V., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Kais, S., Boltasseva, A., Source Shaping for Electromagnetic Optimization via Higher-Order Variational Quantum Algorithms, 2nd Annual Quantum Summer School (2022)

  10. Wilson, B., Chen, Y., Shalaev, V., Kildishev, A., Kais, S., Boltasseva, A., Machine Learning for Nanophotonic Design and Quantum Measurements, Purdue Elmore Center (2021)

Expertise

Python | PyTorch | C | C++ | Braket | Bloqade | Qiskit | Julia | CUDA | High-Performance Computing (HPC) | Git | AWS | Linux | VLSI | AWS Lambda | Neovim | Assembly

Quantum Computing | Complexity Theory | Numerical Methods | Computational Vision | Generative AI | Optimization | Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) | Optics

Public Speaking | Grant Writing | Publishing | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | Conference Organizing | Open-Source Contribution | Research Leadership

Leadership

NanoMeta Machine Learning Team LeadNanoML Team
2021 -     
Quantum Science Center Summer School CommitteeQuantum Science Center
2021 -     
Quantum Science Center PGA Team LeadQuantum Science Center
2021 - 2022
SURF Graduate MentorPurdue SURF
2022 -     
Elmore Center Poster Session CommitteeElmore Center
2022       
Graduate Teaching AssistantPurdue ECE
2020 - 2021
SURF Graduate AssistantPurdue SURF
2020       
SURF Symposium Planning CommitteePurdue SURF
2020       
Stories of Success: Fireside Chat HostPurdue ECE
2019 - 2020
ECE Shop Graduate AssistantPurdue ECE
2019 - 2020
Software Team LeadSoCET Team, Purdue
2018 - 2019
Resident AssistantPurdue University
2020 - 2021
Volunteer Robotics TeacherMuslim Learning Society
2014       
First Robotics Software Team LeadPlainfield Earthquakers
2013 - 2015
Video Game Lead DeveloperWired Vision Games
2012 - 2015

Speaking

Academic Research Panel MemberQiskit Fall Fest
2023       
Panel ModeratorQSC Summer School
2022 -     
American Controls ConferenceACC
2022       
SURF Graduate MentorPurdue University
2020 - 2023
Fireside Chat InterviewerQuantum Science Center
2021 - 2022
Stories of Success Fireside Chat HostPurdue University
2019 - 2020

Grants

AWS Braket Research GrantAmazon
2023 - 2024
ACC 2022 Student Travel GrantACC 2022
2022       
Universities Space Research Association Quantum (Cycle 4)NASA Ames Center
2020 – 2021
Leadership Computing Facility D-WaveOak Ridge
2020       

Competitions

2nd Place National Rube Goldberg CompetitionPurdue University
2016       
2nd Place Purdue First Robotics RegionalsPurdue University
2014       
3rd Place IUPUI Mathematics CompetitionIndiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis
2014       

Software Projects

Web DevelopmentNanoML Team
2023 -     
Custom Arch Linux SetupLinux
2022 -     
Neovim Personal ConfigurationLinux
2022 -     
ClearML Server ManagementLinux
2022 -     
Bloqade Rydberg Atom SimulationsQuEra Computing
2022 -     
NanoML Experiment ManagerPython
2023       
OpenAI Automatic Documentation BuilderOpenAI
2023       
OpenAI + Alexa API IntegrationOpenAI
2022       
CEM Codes (Diffraction, Capacitor)Purdue ECE
2021       
ECE Shop Sign (RGB LED + Web Server)Purdue ECE
2019       
Bluetooth Controlled PowerstripPurdue ECE Embedded Sys.
2018       
32-bit MIPS Processor from scratchPurdue ECE 437
2018       
VLSI Clock-Tree Synthesis ProjectPurdue ECE 595
2018       
Ethernet Packet SnifferPurdue ECE 337
2018       
Multiple Pursuers and Sweep-Covers EnumerationPurdue ECE Research
2017       
8-bit Breadboard PC - Synchronized ClockPersonal Hobby
2017       
Tanvas Image Processing and Material AnalysisNorthwestern Hackathon
2016       
Zombie Video GameWired Vision Games
2014       
Falling Balls Android GamePersonal Hobby
2013       

Extended Experience

Committee MemberQSC Summer School
2022 -     
Quantum Algorithms ResearcherQuEra Computing
2022 -     
Graduate Research Assistant (Alexandra Boltasseva)Purdue University
2019 -     
AdvisorQiskit Fall Fest
2023       
Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Association Team LeadQuantum Science Center
2021 - 2022
Graduate Research Assistant (Shreyas Sundaram)Purdue University
2021       
ECE Shop Graduate AssistantPurdue University
2019 - 2020
Software Engineer InternARM
2019       
Software Team LeadPurdue SoCET Team
2018 - 2019
SURF FellowPurdue University
2017       
Undergraduate Research AssistantPurdue University
2016 - 2019

Teaching Roles

First Time Researcher Fellowship MentorPurdue University
2022 -     
Graduate MentorPurdue SURF
2020 -     
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Data Structures and Algorithms)Purdue University
2021       
Graduate AssistantPurdue SURF
2020       
Graduate Teaching Assistant (Advanced C)Purdue University
2020       
Resident AssistantPurdue University
2016 - 2018

Referee Roles

ReviewerQuantum
2022       
ReviewerNature Communications
2022       
ReviewerAdvanced Materials
2022       
Poster Session CommitteeElmore Center
2022       
Online Research SymposiumPurdue SURF
2020       

Funding

Quantum Science CenterOak Ridge
2021 -     
Purdue Elmore Emerging Frontiers CenterElmore Family
2022 -     
QuEra ComputingHarvard/MIT
2022       
Air Force Research LabAFRL
2021       

Affiliations

QuEra ComputingHarvard/MIT
2022 -     
Quantum Science CenterOak Ridge National Lab
2020 -     
Elmore Emerging Frontiers CenterPurdue University
2020 -     
Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering InstitutePurdue University
2019 -     
OpticaOptica
2021 -     
IEEE Computer SocietyIEEE
2020 - 2021
Purdue Society of Professional EngineersPurdue University
2015 – 2016
Wired Vision GamesGame Development Group
2011 – 2015
First RoboticsNASA
2013 – 2015
Freedom Chairs (Charity Wheelchair Repair)Indiana Non-Profit
2013 – 2015
Project Lead the WayIndiana Non-Profit
2011 – 2013

Mentees

First Time Researcher FellowshipAdvay Welling
EURO 2024  
First Time Researcher FellowshipSarthak Tandon
EURO 2024  
First Time Researcher FellowshipGeetika Chitturi
EURO 2024  
Qiskit Fall Fest LeadVaishnavi Iyer
2023       
Best Poster PresentationDaksh Kumar Singh
SURF 2023  
Summer Undergraduate Research FellowshipDaksh Kumar Singh
SURF 2023  
First Time Researcher FellowshipDaksh Kumar Singh
EURO 2023  
First Time Researcher FellowshipMichael Bezick
EURO 2023  
IBM Watson Quantum Summer InternshipVaishnavi Iyer
2023       
Summer Undergraduate Research FellowshipVaishnavi Iyer
2022       
Best First Time Researcher AwardDavid Czerwonki
SURF 2020  
Best First Time Researcher AwardRachel Zhang
SURF 2020  

References

Sabre Kaiskais@purdue.edu
765-494-5965
Alexandra Boltassevaaeb@purdue.edu
765-494-0301
Travis Humblehumblets@ornl.gov
           
Sheng-Tao Wangswang@quera.com
           
Vladimir Shalaevshalaev@purdue.edu
765-494-9855