ECE Seminar: Dr. Giacomo Nannicini

Speaker: Dr. Giacomo Nannicini, Associate Professor, Epstein Dept of ISE, USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Talk Title: Convex Optimization Algorithms on Quantum Computers

Abstract: Optimization is often mentioned as one of the main application areas for quantum computers, but is this claim backed up by theoretical evidence? In this talk we provide a gentle overview of recent advances in quantum optimization, with an emphasis on algorithms and subroutines for convex optimization problems that lead to rigorous asymptotic speedups. The main results of this talk are a faster classical algorithm for the semidefinite relaxation of the MaxCut problem, an even faster quantum algorithm for the same problem, and a new idea for linear optimization on quantum computers.

Biography: Giacomo Nannicini is an associate professor in the Industrial & Systems Engineering department at the University of Southern California, which he joined in 2022. Prior to that, he was a research staff member in the quantum algorithms group at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center, and an assistant professor in the Engineering Systems and Design pillar at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. His main research interest is optimization broadly defined and its applications. Giacomo received several awards, including the 2021 Beale--Orchard-Hays prize, the 2015 Robert Faure prize, and the 2012 Glover-Klingman prize.

Host: Dr. Richard M. Leahy, leahy@usc.edu

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95762332255?pwd=NitkT2p5c1kvWWp0a0JuUUVNZTRudz09

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95762332255?pwd=NitkT2p5c1kvWWp0a0JuUUVNZTRudz09

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mayumi Thrasher