We sat down with Najwa Sidqi who is currently Knowledge Transfer Manager at Knowledge Transfer Network. Najwa started her journey in the semiconductor industry where she spent around six years, she then went back into academia and completed her PhD in Physics from Heriot-Watt University. Najwa is now Knowledge Transfer Manager at KTN where she is involved in raising awareness for quantum computing and connecting investors to businesses. In this talk we discussed her time in the industry and how the transition was back to academia, if its ever too late to complete a PhD and advice on relocating. We finished with discussing her role at KTN, what she’s bringing to the quantum computing space and how this unique position came about. LINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/najwa-sidqi-phd-6156124a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/najwa-sidqi-phd-6156124a/) KTN: https://ktn-uk.org/ (https://ktn-uk.org/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/ (https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/)

This week we are in the quantum world and talking with Mattia Fiorentini. Mattia is currently Head of Machine Learning and Quantum Algorithms at Cambridge Quantum Computing where he has worked for nearly five years, he previously completed a PhD in Physics at King’s College London In this talk he offers his advice on getting the most from your PhD, the transition from academia to industry and what someone should consider when deciding between academia and industry. He finishes by discussing his work at Cambridge Quantum Computing, interview tips and how he’s progressed through the company. LINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matfiore/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/matfiore/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/ (https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEGf4nL_qDjO2PqBCnytBw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEGf4nL_qDjO2PqBCnytBw)

This week we are in the AI world and talking with Wim Vos, CEO, of Radiomics. Wim has a background in aerodynamics and holds a PhD in Biomedical flow simulations which he obtained from the University of Antwerp. After graduation Wim was the cofounder of a start-up called Fluidda where he took the business from him and his business partner to eventually a team of 30 people. Wim is now CEO of Radiomics who are a next generation imaging CRO based in Liège. We discussed his journey from PhD to CEO. Challenges he’s faced along the way & how Wim views decision making and business. Throughout this episode Wim is very open, honest and shares his insight from his career. He is also naturally warming and you can feel his passion for science, technology and people. LINKS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wim-vos-6b36405/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wim-vos-6b36405/) Radiomics: https://radiomics.bio/ (https://radiomics.bio/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/ (https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/)

This week we are in the quantum world and talking with Marco Palumbo. Marco is currently Principal Licensing and Ventures Manager at Oxford University Innovation where he has worked for over four years, he has previously completed a PhD in Engineering from Durham University where he then moved into the nanotechnology field. At OUI he specialises in IP and licensing having helped found start ups such as ORCA, Oxford Quantum Circuits, Quantum Dice, Quantum Motion, PQShield etc. In this talk we discuss his background where he offers some advice for students today, his current role at OUI and how a company is set up from just an idea. LINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-palumbo-4688136/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-palumbo-4688136/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/ (https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/)

This week we are in the AI world and talking with Angelo Pugliese.  Angelo is currently Associate Director, In Silico Discovery And Data Analysis At BioAscent. He holds a PhD in Computational Chemistry from Nottingham University and spent time at Minnesota Supercomputing Institute working on computational structural biology and drug discovery projects.  We discussed the pros and cons of postdoc and industry positions and what you should keep in mind when making a decision like this. Some details around Computational Chemistry and the roles that Artificial Intelligence and machine learning play in this field  He finishes the talk with his views on the current drug discovery landscape and how he’s progressed his career in this space  LINKS  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelopugliese/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelopugliese/) Twitter: https://twitter.com/angelo_rules (https://twitter.com/angelo_rules) Bioascent: https://www.bioascent.com/ (https://www.bioascent.com/) Podcast: https://teknatalks.captivate.fm/ (https://teknatalks.captivate.fm/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/

This week we are in the quantum world and talking with Johannes Borregaard. Johannes is currently Assistant Professor at Delft University of Technology, having also spent time at Harvard and the University of Copenhagen as a postdoc. In 2015, he completed his PhD in Quantum Physics at the University of Copenhagen. We discussed how he got into quantum computing, his current role and area of research at Delft. He finishes the talk with his views on academic life, advice around navigating a career in academia and his outlook on the future for quantum computing. LINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-borregaard-2485322b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-borregaard-2485322b/) Tekna Talks: https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/ (https://teknasearch.com/tekna-talks/)

Tekna Talks is a learning platform for people in Quantum Computing & Artificial Intelligence. Quantum Computing & Artificial Intelligence are two of the most innovative and potentially life changing fields today. What powers this is the people and they all have a story to tell. Tekna Talks brings you uncut interviews with some of the most amazing individuals inside these worlds to share their journeys, advice and greatest learnings so you can have something to take away and help you progress. Whether you are starting your career or are an expert in the field, we aim to create an inclusive learning platform where you can gain valuable insights. We look forward to you joining us on this experience and sharing these stories with you.