From discovery to application
Explore Utah’s capabilities in quantum science, photonics, sensing, materials, and computing.
Utah Quantum Initiative presents
Utah Quantum Summit 2026
Save the date · 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. · The Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
01 The conversation
One table for Utah’s quantum future.
The Utah Quantum Summit brings research, industry, and government leaders together to explore quantum science and technology, including sensing, photonics, materials, computing, and commercialization. The summit takes place December 7, 2026, at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, one day before the 2026 Utah AI Summit, focused on pro-human AI.
02 Summit priorities
Build and commercialize
Discuss the companies, manufacturing capabilities, supply chains, and partnerships that can help move quantum technologies toward use.
Coordinate statewide action
Hear how Utah is aligning policy, education, research, and industry around a shared strategy.
03 Utah Quantum Summit
Quantum Coordinating Council
Jefferson Moss
Commissioner, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development; CEO, Nucleus Institute
Jefferson leads Utah’s statewide economic development and innovation strategy. An entrepreneur, investor, and former Utah House majority leader, he works across government, higher education, and business to grow innovation and commercialization.
Ryan Camacho
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University
Ryan’s research spans quantum photonics, computational photonics, and optical systems. He leads research at BYU that connects photonic science and engineering with emerging quantum technologies.
Angela Smith
Chief Operating Officer, Nucleus Institute
Angela leads operations and commercialization work at Nucleus Institute and manages the Nucleus Fund. Her background spans education, investing, and partnerships that help move research toward market applications.
Hannah Cancino
Manager of Partnerships and Business Development, Nucleus Institute
Hannah builds partnerships that connect organizations and people with the Nucleus ecosystem. She studied psychology at the University of Utah and brings experience in wealth management and financial planning to her work supporting Utah’s innovation community.
AJ Rasmussen
Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Brigham Young University
AJ is an experimental quantum physicist whose work focuses on trapped ions and qubits. His BYU research includes developing the experimental tools and systems needed for quantum computing.
Alexey Galda
Associate Scientific Director, Quantum Algorithms and Applications, Moderna
Alexey is a quantum-computing scientist whose work spans quantum algorithms, machine learning, and theoretical physics. At Moderna, he works on potential quantum applications in life sciences, including molecular and biomedical problems.
Craig Miller
Senior Director, Public Sector Strategy and Operations, IonQ
Craig works on IonQ’s public-sector strategy and operations, bringing quantum technology into conversations with government and national-security partners. His work includes the practical policy and security questions that accompany quantum adoption.
Darryl Goldberg
Sales and Partnership Director, Nusano
Darryl works at the intersection of engineering and commercial strategy. After beginning his career as an engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory, he helped Nusano bring particle-accelerator technology toward market and develop new applications for complex technologies.
David Shallenberger
Utah State Representative, District 58
David serves in the Utah House of Representatives and brings a policymaker’s perspective to the discussion of quantum research, emerging technology, and the state’s economic future.
David Wiese
Senior Director, State, Local and Education Business Development, IonQ
David brings more than 30 years of technology-industry experience. At IonQ, he works with state and local governments, higher education, and research institutions on the commercialization and public-sector use of quantum technology.
Dolly Chitta
Founder, Curie Quantum; CEO, TekHolding
Dolly Chitta, Ph.D., is a materials scientist and entrepreneur working at the intersection of quantum technology, AI, and advanced materials. Through Curie Quantum, she convenes conversations on quantum research, education, workforce, and commercialization. Her experience spans chemical engineering, technology development, and moving research toward real-world applications.
Gary Harter
Commissioner, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Gary advises Utah leaders on military and veterans’ issues and leads the state department serving veterans and military families. A retired Army colonel, he brings experience connecting Utah’s defense community with statewide priorities.
Ginger Chinn
Government relations, Northrop Grumman
Ginger works with Northrop Grumman on government relations, helping connect aerospace and defense priorities with state and local partners. She brings experience in public policy, business outreach, and Utah’s economic development community.
Greg Jones
University of Utah science and technology ecosystem leader
Greg has worked across research, state government, and technology commercialization, including roles with the University of Utah’s Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute and statewide science initiatives. He helps connect research capability with industry and public priorities.
Greg Nielson
Founder and CEO, Nielson Scientific
Greg founded Nielson Scientific to advance 3D microfabrication and related technologies. His company develops precision manufacturing capabilities and components relevant to emerging applications, including quantum systems.
Kelley McGrath
Director of Operations, Strategic Systems Business Unit, BAE Systems
Kelley is an aerospace engineer and former Air Force officer with experience across aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, cyber defense, and other advanced systems. She leads operations for a large defense program and brings a workforce and systems perspective to the summit.
Kirk Cullimore
Utah Senate Majority Leader, District 19
Kirk represents District 19 in the Utah Senate and leads the Senate majority caucus. He is an attorney whose practice includes business law, land use, water development, and technology issues.
Orly Alter
USTAR Associate Professor, University of Utah
Orly is a professor of bioengineering and human genetics at the University of Utah’s Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Her research applies mathematical ideas from quantum mechanics to machine learning and biomedical discovery.
Royal Hansen
VP of Engineering, Google
Royal is a Vice President of Engineering at Google. His work has focused on cybersecurity, privacy, safety, and security technologies, following earlier leadership roles in financial services. He brings a technology industry perspective to Utah’s quantum conversation.
Sophia DiCaro
Executive Director, Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
Sophia leads the state office responsible for budget development and long-range planning. Her background includes public budgeting, policy analysis, teaching, and service in the Utah House of Representatives.
Vic Hockett
Associate Commissioner, Talent Ready Utah
Vic leads Talent Ready Utah’s partnerships between industry and education. His experience in manufacturing operations and higher education informs work to align training with employers’ workforce needs.
Help shape the program
Sponsorship and panel speaking opportunities are still available.
Support a statewide conversation about quantum research, commercialization, talent, and industry. Organizations and experts interested in sponsoring the summit or joining a panel can contact the summit organizer.
Contact: hannah.cancino@nucleusutah.org