Michele Mosca

Dr. Michele Mosca obtained his DPhil in 1999 from the University of Oxford. He is co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics & Optimization of the Faculty of Mathematics, and a founding member of Waterloo's Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Dr. Mosca has made major contributions to the theory and practice ofquantum information processing. He has done pioneering work in quantum algorithms, including the development and application of the phase estimation approach to quantum algorithms. Together with collaborators at Oxford, he realized several of the first implementations of quantum algorithms using nuclear magnetic resonance. In the area of quantum cryptography, he and his collaborators developed fundamental methods for performing reliable computations with untrusted quantum apparatus, defined the notion of private quantum channels, and developed optimal methods for encrypting quantum information using classical keys. Dr. Mosca's work is published widely in top journals, and he co-authored the respected textbook "An Introduction to Quantum Computing" (OUP). Dr. Mosca has won numerous academic awards and honours, including Canada's Top 40 under 40 (2011), the Premier's Research Excellence Award (2000-2005), Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) since 2010, and a Canada Research Chair in Quantum Computation (2002-2012).
Canada Research Chair in Quantum Computation Co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Computing Founding member of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Professor, Department of Combinatorics & Optimization, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Fellow of the Institute for Combinatorics and Its Applications Research Member, QuantumWorks Member, Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research, Institute for Computer Research Professor (cross-appointed), David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Guelph-Waterloo Physics Institute.
I work on understanding the power of quantum information and its potential applications, in particular on quantum algorithms and complexity, quantum-safe cryptography, and also on problems related to the implementation of quantum information processing.
  • Member, Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute, University of Waterloo, 2019-present
  • Deputy Director, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo, 2001-2016
  • Member, Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research, University of Waterloo, 1999-2019
  • Faculty Member, Department of Combinatorics & Optimization, University of Waterloo, 1999-present
  • Visiting Researcher Grant, "Decryption Failures in a Quantum World", Mitacs, 2021
  • Alliance Grant, Canada-UK Quantum Technologies call: "Building a standardised quantum-safe networking architecture", Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), 2021
  • Alliance Grant, industry matching funds, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), 2021
  • I2I Grant, "Enhancement of magnetic resonance techniques using quantum algorithms", Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), 2021
  • Discovery Grant, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), 2020-2025
  • 2018 Webit Security and Anti-Fraud Innovation Award, Webit Festival, 2018
  • Knight (Cavaliere) in the Order of Merit, Italian Republic, 2018
  • Fr. Norm Choate, C.R., Lifetime Achievement Award, St. Jerome's University, 2017
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Governor General of Canada, 2013
  • Fellow in Quantum Information Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), 2010
  • Visiting Fellow, King's College, University of Cambridge, 2005
  • One of 15 PAGSE Symposium "Leaders of Tomorrow", The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering, Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, 2004
  • Scholar in Quantum Information Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), 2003
  • Premier's Research Excellence Award, Province of Ontario, 2000
  • Fellow, Institute for Combinatorics and its Applications, 2000
  • Gheorghiu, V., Huang, J., Li, S. M., Mosca, M., & Mukhopadhyay, P. (2023). Reducing the CNOT Count for Clifford+T Circuits on NISQ Architectures. IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, 42(6), 1873-1884. doi:10.1109/tcad.2022.3213210
  • Mosca, M., & Piani, M. (2022). 2022 Quantum Threat Timeline Report. Global Risk Institute. https://globalriskinstitute.org/publication/2022-quantum-threat-timeline-report/
  • Gheorghiu, V., Mosca, M., & Mukhopadhyay, P. (n.d.). T-count and T-depth of any multi-qubit unitary. npj Quantum Information, 8(1), 141. doi:10.1038/s41534-022-00651-y
  • Jena, A., Genin, S. N., & Mosca, M. (2022). Optimization of variational-quantum-eigensolver measurement by partitioning Pauli operators using multiqubit Clifford gates on noisy intermediate-scale quantum hardware. Physical Review A, 106(4), 042443. doi:10.1103/physreva.106.042443
  • Gheorghiu, V., Mosca, M., & Mukhopadhyay, P. (n.d.). A (quasi-)polynomial time heuristic algorithm for synthesizing T-depth optimal circuits. npj Quantum Information, 8(1), 110. doi:10.1038/s41534-022-00624-1
  • Mosca, M., & Verschoor, S. R. (n.d.). Factoring semi-primes with (quantum) SAT-solvers. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 7982. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11687-7
  • Mosca, M., & Piani, M. (2022). 2021 Quantum Threat Timeline Report. Global Risk Institute. https://globalriskinstitute.org/
  • Mosca, M., & Mukhopadhyay, P. (2022). A polynomial time and space heuristic algorithm for T-count. Quantum Science and Technology, 7(1), 015003. doi:10.1088/2058-9565/ac2d3a
  • Holcomb, A., Pereira, G., Das, B., & Mosca, M. (2021). PQFabric: A Permissioned Blockchain Secure from Both Classical and Quantum Attacks. In 2021 IEEE International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency (ICBC) Vol. 00 (pp. 1-9). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi:10.1109/icbc51069.2021.9461070
  • Mosca, M., & Piani, M. (2021). Quantum Threat Timeline Report 2020. https://globalriskinstitute.org/publication/quantum-threat-timeline-report-2020/
  • Mosca, M., & Piani, M. (2021). Quantum Random-Number Generators: Practical Considerations and Use Cases. evolutionQ Inc.. https://www.evolutionq.com/
  • Strategic Outlook on the future of Quantum Computing, World Economic Forum' Global Technology Governance Retreat 2022, San Francisco, United States, 2022/06/23
  • Creating the Quantum Industry, what it takes to Found, Fund and Run a Startup?, Quantum 2.0 conference and Exhibition, 2022/06/15
  • Quantum Key Distribution vs. Post Quantum Cryptography vs. TrUE Quantum Encryption: Who is the Betamax, who is the VCR, and who is the DVD?, QT Quantum Tech, Boston, United States, 2022/06/14
  • Will we see unintended consequences from quantum? How do we mitigate risk with dual technologies?, Commercializing Quantum, Economist Impact, United Kingdom, 2022/05/19
  • Cybersecurity and Quantum Computing, Toronto Youth Stem and Innovation Conference, 2022/04/23
  • Quantum 101, Confronting the Quantum Challenge: Business Innovation Technology Security (BITS) Quantum Computing Symposium, 2022/04/21
  • Cross border cooperation in the research and development of quantum technologies, Canada and the United States in the New Quantum Tech Era, Joint US-Canada Quantum Event, Wilson Center and the Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C, 2022/03/09, Video URL
  • Are we ready for the quantum era?, CPI Public Outreach Lecture Series, Waterloo, ON, 2022/02/28
  • Quantum Computing and National Security, National Defense University"s College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) Quantum Lesson, Washington DC, 2022/02/14
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography, The Third IEEE International Conference on Trust, Privacy and Security in Intelligent Systems, and Applications, virtual, hosted in the U.S., 2021/12/14
  • Bringing QKD to real world digital infrastructures, Quantum Innovation 2021, RIKEN, Virtual, 2021/12/08
  • All-Star Plenary Panel session on technology"s impact and window into the future, The Great Canadian Data Centre Symposium (GCDCS21): Digital Innovation in the Next Normal, Hamilton, ON (online participation), 2021/12/02
  • Are you ready for success in the quantum era, IEEE CEO Summit on Quantum Computing, 2021/12/01
  • Cybersecurity & Quantum: what steps City firms need to take, City Quantum Summit, 2021/11/10
  • The Quantum Threat: Where Are We Today?, SecTor2021, Toronto, ON (Hybrid event), 2021/11/03
  • Quantum Key Distribution, 2021 Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) workshop, The Department of National Defence (DND), 2021/10/26
  • Preparing for Post-Quantum Cryptography, Energy & Utilities Sector Network (EUSN) Conference Call, 2021/10/22
  • Update on the quantum threat timeline, Quantum security community meeting, World Economic Forum, Virtual, 2021/10/21
  • Taking the Quantum Leap: How Quantum technology is set to transform long-distanced communications, Capacity Europe 2021, 2021/10/21
  • Cybersecurity R&D Future and Gaps, SERENE-RISC final workshop, Virtual, 2021/10/20
  • Preparing for the Quantum Threat, Quantum-Safe Canada Nuclear Industry Readiness, Canadian Gas Association group (virtual), 2021/09/22
  • Prospering in the Quantum Era, Thailand Quantum Technology Symposium, Virtual, 2021/09/16
  • Threats to and from Quantum Cryptography, Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center, 2021/09/15
  • Intro to the quantum threat and quantum readiness, CANDU Owners Group Cybersecurity Peer Group, Virtual, 2021/07/21
  • Introduction to the quantum threat and quantum readiness, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, 2021/06/29
  • Technology Facilitating Access to International Markets, Horasis Extraordinary Meeting on the USA: rebuilding trust, 2021/06/08
  • Cryptography in a quantum computing world: will our data be safe?, The Payment Canada Summit 2021, 2021/06/04
  • Can we afford to wait, or should we be actively looking for solutions to protect the integrity of the existing cryptosystems?, OIST Quantum/Cyber Security Initiative - The Science, the Opportunities, and real-world Challenges, OIST/Keidanren (virtual) event, 2021/06/01
  • Perspective on Canada/EU collaboration, CAN-EU (virtual) Workshop (NSERC and European Commission), InCoQFlag, France, 2021/05/30
  • Markets and Product Evolution for Post-Quantum Cryptography, IQT New York Conference, Virtual, 2021/05/17
  • National quantum development group, IQT New York Conference, Virtual, 2021/05/17
  • Toward a more resilient quantum-safe futureMichele, The 1st Yanqi Lake International PQC Standardization and Application Workshop & the 5th Asia PQC Forum, 2021/04/24
  • "Good enough" Cryptography in the context of 5G, IoT, AI, quantum and more, WSIS Forum 2021, ITU-T FG-QIT4N/ETSI (virtual event), 2021/04/08
  • Toward prosperity and resilience in the quantum era, IEEE Executive Summit on Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Virtual, 2021/04/07
  • Cyber resilience in the quantum era, Quantum Security within the Italian Conference on Cybersecurity (ITASEC21), Virtual event, 2021/04/07
  • Entering the era of quantum computing, The 2020 International Conference on High Performance Computing & Simulation (HPCS2020), Virtual event, 2021/03/26
  • Managing Quantum Risk, Multi-Sector Network -Quantum Computing Webinar, National and Cyber Security, Public Safety Canada, 2021/03/23