Christopher Kang
Short Bio
I’m Chris, a first-year CS PhD student at the University of Chicago. My research interests are best described as full stack quantum computation, including co-designing quantum algorithms with NISQ hardware and general theory research into quantum algorithms.
Beyond my research, I enjoy learning about science and tech policy, thinking philosophically, playing acoustic guitar and violin, and meeting new people.
I attained a BS at the University of Washington in Computer Science and Economics, where I was advised by many amazing scientists, including Paul Beame (UW), Karol Kowalski (PNNL), Sriram Krishnamoorthy (PNNL), and Nathan Wiebe (UToronto).
Current Projects (Research & Otherwise)
- Memory-efficient phase estimation-based Hamiltonian simulation techniques
- Co-designed control algorithms for hybrid boson-qubit quantum computers
Academic
Notable Papers
- Statement on Principles for the Development and Deployment of Equitable, Private, and Secure Remote Test Administration Systems and accompanying Op-Ed (USTPC); Statement published by the Association for Computing Machinery, written with the support of Simson Garfinkel, Jeanna Matthews, and Jeremy Epstein.
- A Computational Approach To Understanding Lobbying Behavior (Big Data); A paper describing computational methods for studying lobbyist behavior. Written with the S-tier Jacob Peplinski.
- So many decisions, so little time: A Brief Introduction to Stochastic Multi-Armed Bandits (Random Algos); A final paper giving a brief introduction to Multi-Armed Bandits from a philosophical perspective.
- Strength Through Science: Optimizing the DOE National Laboratories (Intro to Public Policy); a study investigating how Department of Energy National labs are operated and recommendations to improve their effectiveness.
- Randomized Hamiltonian Compilation (Graduate Quantum Computing); demonstrating core equations in Earl Campbell’s random Hamiltonian Compilation for quantum simulation.
- A Brief Introduction to Quantum Algorithms (Honors Real + Complex Analysis); explored quantum search and factoring (Grover’s and Shor’s, respectively), and demonstrated core theorems and lemmas.
- Improving Financial Inclusion in Ghana (Social Entrepreneurship); research into existing strategies for financial inclusion in Ghana alongside strategies for public/private sectors players.
Additionally…
Service
- ACM US Tech Policy Council (2021-)
- Q++ - LGBTQ @ UW CSE (2018-2022)
- UW CSE Diversity Committee (2019-2022)
- SAC (2018-2021; served as Chair/Co-Chair over two years)
- Dawgbytes - K12 Outreach @ UW CSE (2019-2020)
Awards
I have been graciously supported by UW’s departments / schools in Mathematics, Economics, and Computer Science:
- Hellmut Golde Endowed Scholarship, UW CSE (2021)
- George and Pearl Corkery Scholarship in Economics (2021)
- Top Honors Calculus Student (2019)
- 1% Interdisciplinary Honors Student (2018)
- Theta Chi Helping Hand Award (2018)