Episode 15: QED-C: The Power of Policy and Partnerships

In this episode of 'The Quantum Spin by HKA,' host Veronica Combs chats with Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C). They discuss how identifying the gaps – in technology, workforce and policy – can lay the groundwork for winning government funding and making significant advances in the industry.

Early in her career, Celia learned the power of policy. She worked in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as an Assistant Director for Technology R&D and was a vice president at the Semiconductor Research Corporation. Now she is applying those lessons to the quantum industry as the executive director of QED-C.

Key topics include:

• The evolution of the quantum industry over the past five years

• Networking benefits for QED-C members, and efforts to expand internationally

• A discussion about practical applications of quantum technologies, potential uses, and the importance of being 'post-quantum' ready

• An examination of the impact of export controls, regional investments in quantum, and the upcoming reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act

Looking ahead, Celia discusses QED-C's focus on outreach, education, and developing a roadmap for quantum network applications. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of consortiums in advancing the quantum sector.

Dr. Celia Merzbacher is Executive Director of the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), a consortium that aims to enable and grow the U.S. quantum industry. QED-C is supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and approximately 250 industry, academic and other members worldwide and is managed by SRI International. Dr. Merzbacher is on the CSIS Commission on U.S. Quantum Leadership and is U.S. Co-Chair of the Quad Investors Network’s Quantum Center of Excellence. She also serves as an advisor to several quantum research organizations. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Technology R&D at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology. Dr. Merzbacher is a Fellow of the AAAS and served as Chair of the National Materials and Manufacturing Board of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

Host Veronica Combs is a quantum tech editor, writer and PR professional. She manages public relations for quantum computing clients as an account manager with HKA Marketing Communications, the #1 agency in quantum tech PR. Veronica joined HKA from TechRepublic and has covered technology, healthcare and business strategy for more than 10 years.

Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicacombs/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HKA Marketing Communications⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://hkamarcom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠