People

Our team

• Dominik Lessnich

  Theoretical physicist

  

  Dominik studied materials science and physics and holds a PhD in theoretical physics. As part of the theory team, he works on improving QEC protocols for GKP qubits. In his free time, he enjoys doing sports and traveling.

• Claudia Grindlay

  Software Developer

  

  With her double major in physics and computer science from the University of Cape Town, Claudia has 5 years of experience in the tech sector as a senior software engineer. As part of the software team at Nord Quantique, her expertise in programming principles, standards, and documentation ensures the hardware team can focus on what they do best, with a codebase ready to meet their needs in scale and structure. In her spare time, Claudia likes to crochet and also sing, occasionally with a ukulele.

• Steve Lamoureux

  Quantum Characterization Expert

  

  During his master's degree in physics in collaboration with the NRC, Steve built a set-up that enabled the targeted photo-generation of charges at low temperature on a hybrid sample of quantum dots coupled to a resonator. At Nord Quantique, his efforts will be used to characterize the various quantum systems. This effort will provide a fast and efficient feedback loop between the hardware team and the nanofabrication team for accelerated development of our technology. In his spare time, Steve loves to take part in outdoor sports.

• Julien Camirand Lemyre

  CEO

  

  Co-founder of Nord Quantique, Julien Camirand Lemyre holds a PhD in physics and has nearly 10 years' experience in vertical systems integration for quantum computing. Since the creation of Nord Quantique, Julien has been responsible for technological deployment and growth, and continues to lead the team towards the realization of a fault-tolerant quantum computer.  Julien brings his vision of technology development in synergy with quantum ecosystems, driving collaboration and innovation in the sector. Building on this vision, the Nord Quantique team has made significant progress towards reducing error rates in quantum computers.

• Sushant Zinzuvadiya

  Nanofabrication engineer

  

  Sushant holds a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, specializing in Nanostructured Thin Films, and has earned recognition for being a resourceful innovator, consistently delivering exceptional results despite significant constraints. Prior to joining our team, he served as a Professor of Engineering Physics. At Nord Quantique, he plays a pivotal role in optimizing high-quality nanostructures for quantum computing hardware, thus significantly propelling advancements in quantum technology. Fluent in three languages, he enjoys quality time with his wife outside of work, indulging in movies and video game sessions.

• Anastasiia Pusenkova

  Lead of applications

  

  Anastasiia holds a PhD in Physics from Laval University and an MSc in Theoretical Physics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, in Ukraine.  She is also a recipient of the Sentinel North Excellence Scholarship. Prior to joining Nord Quantique, Anastasiia led R&D projects in optoelectronics and tunable optics for imaging and automotive applications at startup, collaborating with engineering teams and industrial partners. In her current role, she helps Nord Quantique advance its mission by exploring practical applications for quantum computing. Outside of work, Anastasiia enjoys hiking, badminton and board games.

• Roya Radgohar

  Quantum Applications Scientist

  

  Roya comes to Nord Quantique with a PhD in Condensed-Matter Physics and over 5 years of experience as a postdoc at Sharif University of Technology and the University of Sherbrooke. In those roles, she was looking into quantum many-body simulations and near-term quantum algorithms. As part of our applications team, her role is to explore new practical applications for our quantum computers, advance research on quantum algorithms, and promote collaborations to develop innovative solutions that address real industrial challenges. Some of her past achievements include developing near-term quantum algorithms for telecommunications alongside Ericsson, as well as a theoretical investigation of dynamic noise effects in topological superconductors. When she’s not working, Roya enjoys spending time hiking and playing chess.

• Philippe St-Jean

  CBO

  

  Co-Founder of Nord Quantique, Phil obtained his PhD in Physics from Université de Montréal and spent 12 years working in the financial sector. As an investor, he supported the world's first quantum computing company and sat on its board of directors from 2015 to 2019. As head of business development for Nord Quantique, he focuses on the commercial development of our fault-tolerant quantum computers. When he's not working, he enjoys cross-country skiing, cycling and cooking with a wood-fired oven.

• Marc-Antoine Lemonde

  CTO

  

  Marc-Antoine leads Nord Quantique's technology development activities. He holds a Ph.D. in quantum optomechanics from McGill University and honed his expertise during his postdocs in Austria and Singapore, focusing on quantum information processing in quantum hybrid systems and NISQ algorithms.

  At Nord Quantique, his leadership and scientific and technical contributions have been instrumental to the company's technical achievements. Outside of his working hours, Marc-Antoine is an avid Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.

• Jean Olivier Simoneau

  Quantum Hardware Physicist and Project Manager

  

  Responsible for the software side of our experiments, Jean Olivier is the lead programmer behind our experimental framework (QuantaLoop) and a core designer of our analysis platform (Quiwi). He conceptualized and implemented the pulse sequencer that enabled us to easily program complex experiments such as GKP stabilization. During his PhD he studied wideband and phase-resolved quantum fluctuations of electromagnetic fields using ultrafast measurements in the time domain. Outside of the lab, you might spot him playing squash, baking bread and pastries, brewing cider or programming a PID for his heat pump.

• Pratishtha Gupta

  Mechanical Engineer

  

  A mechanical engineer with a background in mechanical designing applied in various fields like robotics, biomechanics and now quantum hardware, Pratishtha also has skills in design and analysis, specifically in continuum mechanics. She excelled in her studies, earning a few scholarships during her masters including the Mitacs Graduate Scholarship and International Masters Award of Excellence. Her objective with Nord Quantique is to help design the quantum hardware required to scale up for larger integrations. Outside of work, Pratishtha enjoys table tennis and cooking, as well as nurturing her interest in Western philosophy.

• Elizabeth Girard

  Human Resources Director

  

  After 10 years in the world of social service and human resources Elizabeth took over a human resources department and oversaw 75% employee growth in a well-established company. She is now vital to Nord Quantique’s growth, as she is responsible for the implementation of human resources processes, and contributes to creating an environment conducive to employee well-being, while respecting our strategic orientation and corporate objectives. When she’s not focussed on supporting our team, she enjoys playing the flute.

• Lucas St-Jean

  Quantum Theoretical Physicist

  

  Lucas holds a master’s degree in quantum physics and quantum information during which he studied circuit QED, bosonic codes and error correction. Before joining Nord Quantique, he worked as a solutions developer involving problem analysis, implementation of solutions and programming. He is constantly working to improve the QEC capabilities of single-mode GKP qubits, collaborating with our hardware team to support experimental research and build bridges between theory and experiments. Lucas has been a key contributor in achieving our recent QEC results. When he’s not thinking about error correction, he enjoys cycling, kayaking and video games.

• Joëlle Fréchette-Viens

  Lead Software Developer

  

  With her bachelor’s degree in Physics and over two years of experience in scientific-oriented code development, Joëlle led the development of our internal simulation platform which is now used extensively by the theory team. She owns the code for that simulation platform and the hardware team’s analysis platform. She also supports other teams by taking the time to develop robust code so that they can attain their own objectives. Away from work, Joëlle enjoys playing the euphonium in a wind ensemble.

• Ross Shillito

  Theoretical Physicist

  

  Ross Shillito holds a PhD from l’Université de Sherbrooke, specializing in strongly driven superconducting qubits. Notably, he collaborated with ETH Zürich and Google on transmon qubit readout during his doctoral research. Outside work, Ross enjoys running, baking, and gaming. In his role at the company, he contributes to the development of Quava, a software package for GKP simulations. His expertise aids in optimizing device performance, aligning with the company's goals of advancing quantum computing technology.

• Nicholas Frattini

  Quantum Hardware Lead

  

  Nick received his PhD from Yale University in 2021 for his work on three-wave mixing with superconducting circuits under the supervision of Michel Devoret. As a postdoc, he also worked on microwave-to-optic transduction with Konrad Lehnert and Cindy Regal at JILA in Boulder, Colorado before joining our quantum hardware team to advance the state-of-the-art in quantum error correction. He has worked on simultaneously stabilized superpositions of two coherent states—so called Schrödinger’s cat states—to form a protected Kerr-cat qubit. It’s one of only a handful of quantum error correction schemes to ever enhance the lifetime of encoded quantum information beyond the lifetime of its individual components. Originally from California, Nick loves playing fetch with his dog on the beach.

• Dany Lachance-Quirion

  Vice-president, Quantum Hardware

  

  Following his PhD from the University of Sherbrooke in 2018, Dany worked on quantum magnonics with Yasunobu Nakamura as a postdoc at the University of Tokyo in Japan before joining Nord Quantique in 2020 as its first employee. He now leads the quantum hardware team, coordinating all experimental work within the company. For instance, Dany led the experimental effort on the initial demonstration of autonomous quantum error correction at Nord Quantique. Outside of work, Dany loves spending his time and money on his favorite hobby… video game collecting.

• Amélie Lacroix

  Quantum Hardware Physicist

  

  Amélie completed a master's degree in experimental bosonic codes at Université de Sherbrooke. During her master, she was selected as a participant to the Quantum Error Correction Summer School in 2022. After her master's degree, Amélie did an internship at Nord Quantique within the Quantum Hardware team on state preparation of GKP states. Now a full-time employee, she works on the experimental development of new methods for the calibration of error correction protocols. Outside of work, Amélie likes to go on long, independent hikes in different places around the world, notably across the French Alps and the Canary Islands.

• Sandoko Kosen

  Quantum Hardware Physicist

  

  His PhD work at Oxford described, for the first time, the various damping mechanisms of microwave magnons in thin-film YIGs at millikelvin temperature, and its implications to magnonic-based quantum technologies. Sandoko also holds a postdoc (Chalmers) in flip-chip integration of superconducting quantum processors. Before coming to Nord Quantique, he led the development of 25-qubit flip-chip integrated quantum processors in Sweden. The 2023 EU Quantum Technology Flagship Evaluation Report recognized the work as one of Europe’s best in quantum computing during the flagship ramp-up phase. During his free time, he enjoys reading books while drinking a good cup of coffee. He recently translated some popular science books to the Indonesian language, the latest one being “Fabric of Reality” by David Deutsch.

• Chloé Gauvin-Ndiaye

  Quantum Theory Team leader

  

  Chloé Gauvin-Ndiaye holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Sherbrooke. As a part of the theory team, Chloé plays a pivotal role in developing simulation tools for stabilizing and measuring protocols, essential for our cutting-edge devices. Her work focuses on simulating lab-based experiments, seamlessly bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications. Beyond her professional pursuits, Chloé enjoys writing, bringing a creative flair to her analytical skills. Her dedication and innovative approach are invaluable, and her contributions are significant to both our company and the broader field of quantum research.

• Matthew Hamer

  Nanofabrication Lead

  

  With over a decade of experience fabricating state-of-the-art nanoscale devices for applications in condensed matter physics, Matthew leads our nanofabrication team, delivering state-of-the-art multi-unit devices. He also developed the fabrication processes required to make superconducting transmon qubits with lifetimes of 100 µs. He makes sure our fabrication team is working in lockstep with Nord Quantique’s roadmap to ensure the delivery of state-of-the-art superconducting circuit devices. Away from the office he enjoys going on hikes with his dog and competitive CrossFit.

• Florian Hopfmueller

  Quantum Physicist

  

  After completing his PhD at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Florian began working on quantum control, modelling and simulation of superconducting quantum devices, quantum error correction and machine learning. Since joining us he has led early development of our next generation of devices and developed the Bosonic Pauli+ method for simulating large GKP quantum computers. Musically inclined, Florian also enjoys playing the double bass.

• Pascal Lemieux

  Quantum Hardware Designer

  

  Pascal has a background in research on semiconductors, spin qubits and optimal control applied to spin ensembles. He also brings his considerable programming experience to our team which he acquired through his numerous personal and professional projects. Pascal is currently leading design efforts at Nord Quantique and is also involved in many software side projects to help other team members accelerate their own work. He has also built custom software tools to enable fast and scalable device designing. Outside of science he likes to develop independent video games and do sketches for the KrRoLe artist collective.

• Amandeep Buppal

  Nanofabrication Specialist

  

  With years of experience researching topological superconductivity at the University of Wuerzburg, Amandeep has an impressive track record of improving the fabrication of quantum processors based on superconducting qubits. He is also spearheading the development of in-house manufacturing processes for the company. He has lived and worked in 5 different countries on 3 continents and is partial to sandy beaches and warm weather, as found at his favorite spots in Spain, Italy and India.

• Michel Pioro-Ladrière

  Director of Partnerships and Strategy

  

  Michel holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Sherbrooke, a postdoctoral fellowship from NTT Fundamental Research Laboratories in Japan and spent part of his career as a professor and researcher in the physics department of the University of Sherbrooke from 2009 to 2023. Prior to joining us he was co-scientific director of the Institut Quantique and Chair for the Deployment of Quantum Technologies, Scientific Director of DistriQ – Quantum Innovation Zone and Founding Director of the Bachelors program in Quantum Information Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke, the first program of its kind in the French-speaking world.

• Guillaume Duclos-Cianci

  Quantum Information Team Leader

  

  A quantum information scientist and full stack developer with more than a decade of experience, Guillaume led the software effort that brought SBQuantum to the third phase of the now famous MagQuest Challenge. He now leads our quantum information team responsible for strategy and delivering FTQC architectures. This requires a thorough monitoring of the latest research with a rapid assessment of its impact on our technological development. He possesses multiple skillsets to tackle quantum error-correction problems: topological quantum error-correcting code decoding, magic state distillation, architecture design and others. 

• Brice Torti

  Nanofabrication Technician

  

  Following the completion of his engineering degree at INSA Toulouse, Brice joined Nord Quantique as an intern. His excellent performance left us no choice but to hire him permanently. His work focusses primarily on fundamental and applied physics, specializing in the field of clean room micro-nanofabrication. Working with the manufacturing, hardware and measurement teams, his objective is to perfect our devices by increasing their lifespan and consistency. For example, he optimized the scanning electron microscopy imaging of our devices to allow them to be properly visualized.