Celebrating World Quantum Day
The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) highlights the growing importance of quantum science and technology in driving innovation, economic competitiveness and scientific advancement.
Author: Jodie Watson
University of Pretoria joins SA QuTI as new node
Advancing interdisciplinary quantum research and innovation to strengthen South Africa’s national quantum ecosystem.
Quantum spectroscopy sensing
This project aims to develop two novel quantum sensors to enhance sensitivity. Namely, a photon-antibunching-based sensor and a photon-entanglement-based sensor. The photon antibunching signals of quantum dots and complex emitters are to be used for environmental sensing and for detecting different target molecules.
Yeuko Manganyi
Biography
I am a postgraduate student at the University of Cape Town currently pursuing an MSc in Computational Biology. I developed a passion for science and technology at an early age, with biology forming the foundation of this interest. This led me to study Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, where I built a strong academic background.
My interest in quantum computing began after encountering introductory material on the Majorana chip, after which I expanded my knowledge through structured learning programmes offered by organisations such as IBM and PennyLane. Beyond academia, I am passionate about technological advancement in Africa and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Research
My research focuses on bridging quantum computing and computational biology. My project, “Quantum Optimisation Approach for Phylogenetic Tree Construction,” investigates the application of quantum optimisation algorithms to phylogenetic inference, a fundamental yet computationally intensive problem in bioinformatics.
As phylogenetic reconstruction (determining evolutionary relationships among species from molecular sequence data) becomes exponentially complex with increasing numbers of taxa, classical approaches often become impractical. This work aims to inform both quantum algorithm development and computational biology, with potential applications in biodiversity studies, disease evolution, and molecular adaptation.
Awards & presentations
Poster presentation, African International Conference on Quantum Computing and Simulation, Kwame Nkruma University of Science and Technology, Ghana, 2026.
Contact
Courtney Brown
Biography
I am a Molecular and Cell Biologist beginning my PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, where I also completed my undergraduate, Honours, and Master’s degrees, working on therapeutic development for neurodegeneration. My fascination with the brain was sparked during my first undergraduate neurodegeneration course. I realised that the brain is the seat of everything that makes us human and that, as a scientist, there is no greater honour than trying to preserve that essence. This led me from early research into Alzheimer’s disease toward a broader focus on Parkinson’s disease and neurodegeneration as a whole.
Although my training is rooted in biochemistry, I have transitioned into quantum computational approaches after leading my laboratory’s in silico development and attending IBM and SA QuTI seminars. As a Woman in STEM (who is almost certainly powered by more caffeine than is scientifically recommended), my main goal remains the endless pursuit of knowledge and the tireless advancement of science.
Research
My research lies at the intersection of quantum computing and drug discovery. My project, “From Code to Cure: Development of a Drug-Discovery Pipeline Integrating Classical and Quantum Computing with Experimental Validation for Parkinson’s Disease,” focuses on developing an integrated pipeline that combines classical computing, quantum simulations, and in vitro assays.
The goal is to overcome critical bottlenecks in drug discovery to enable more efficient identification of Parkinson’s disease therapeutics, with broader implications beyond neurodegeneration.
Leadership
Postgraduate Representative
School of Molecular & Cell Biology
University of the Witwatersrand, 2025.
Awards & presentations
Postgraduate Merit Award
University of the Witwatersrand, 2025.
1st Prize Master’s poster presentation
CHPC National conference, 2025.
Oral presentation, CHPC National Conference, Western Cape, 2025.
From algorithms to action: combatting the neurodegenerative pathology in Parkinson’s disease with novel agonists.”
1st Prize oral presentation
LSIF Symposium, Johannesburg, 2025.
Silver Prize Poster presentation
MBRT Symposium, Johannesburg, 2024.
Contact
Peter Tumiel
Biography
I am currently an MSc student at the University of Cape Town, where I also completed my Honours degree. My path into quantum research began with an interest in experimental physics and hands-on training in experimental techniques. After focusing largely on theoretical physics during my undergraduate studies, I developed a strong desire to work on research that could be physically built, tested, and measured.
Quantum mechanics and solid-state physics became a natural direction, particularly given the growing research activity in quantum computing and quantum metrology. Beyond the challenge of building and operating experiments, the mathematical difficulty of describing quantum effects is part of what makes the field so compelling. Quantum research feels especially meaningful at this moment, as new technologies are increasingly being developed with quantum science in mind. Contributing to that progress, and to the development of future technologies, is a central motivation behind this work.
Research
My research is conducted at ultra-low temperatures, colder than most naturally occurring environments in the universe – even colder than the Boomerang Nebula (about 1 K). The project focuses on charge build-up in single-electron pumps, using these ultra-low temperatures to deterministically pump individual electrons through quantum dots. This allows us to measure properties of single electrons in a highly controllable way.
A key aspect of the research is understanding how electron accumulation behind the pump affects the quantum dot and the conditions under which electron pumping can be observed. The work also probes Landau levels through magnetic-field effects, enabling the observation of phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect.
Awards & presentations
South African Quantum Technology Initiative bursary, 2025.
Contact
Mosala Israel
Biography
I am an MSc Physics candidate at Nelson Mandela University, working under the supervision of Prof. O.D. Makinde and Prof. A. Muronga, and in collaboration with Prof. Thomas Konrad. My interest in quantum computing began when I recognised that major challenges in fluid dynamics—such as turbulence and multi-physics coupling—may find solutions through quantum approaches.
The potential for algorithms such as Harrow–Hassidim–Lloyd (HHL) to offer exponential speed-ups over classical methods motivated me to pursue research in this area. Through my work, I aim to help bridge the gap between theoretical quantum advantage and practical engineering applications.
Research
My research lies at the intersection of quantum computing and classical fluid dynamics, focusing on quantum-enhanced algorithms for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) analysis of nanofluid Couette flow. The project spans multiple phases, from theoretical foundations to classical simulations of the HHL algorithm.
I investigate how quantum algorithms—particularly HHL—can be applied to complex MHD problems involving nanofluids. These systems exhibit enhanced heat transfer properties but are mathematically demanding to model, making them suitable candidates for quantum computational approaches.
Awards & presentations
Golden Key International Society.
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Moegamad Seboa
Biography
I hold an Honours degree in Computer Science (2022) and am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science. My formal research journey in quantum computing began during my Honours year under the supervision of Aleksandar Radovanovic. My Honours research focused on quantum random number generation, involving a comparative analysis of classical and quantum random number generators from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
Following my Honours degree, I worked in industry in data science and analytics engineering. This experience strengthened my understanding of artificial intelligence, large-scale data systems, and the limitations of classical computational architectures. It was during this time that my interest in the intersection of AI and quantum computing deepened, motivating my return to academia.
Research
My current MSc research, titled “Algorithms and Problem Domains for Fully Quantum Machine Learning,” focuses on developing algorithms that operate entirely on quantum computers rather than hybrid classical–quantum systems. My work combines theoretical analysis, algorithm design, simulation, and experimentation using frameworks such as Qiskit and PennyLane, including experiments on IBM’s quantum cloud infrastructure.
Awards & presentations
Oral Presentation, SACAIR 2025 Unconference.
“Algorithms and Problem Domains for fully Quantum Machine Learning”
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Lerato Ramoyadi
Biography
I am currently a PhD candidate in Physics, with a developing interest in Quantum Science and Technology. My research journey began with a strong foundation in physics and chemistry during my undergraduate studies. During my Honours degree, my work focused primarily on classical physics, allowing me to develop analytical, computational, and problem-solving skills.
My interest in quantum computing emerged from a curiosity about the nature of matter at the atomic scale. This led me to focus my PhD research on quantum computing and its potential to solve complex problems that are not tractable using classical computational methods.
Research
My current research interests lie in variational quantum algorithms and their application to molecular energy optimisation. My research topic, “Computing Energy Levels of Simple Molecules Using Variational Quantum Algorithms,” explores the potential of these algorithms to address quantum chemistry problems while improving computational efficiency.
Awards & presentations
South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI) bursary, 2025.
Contact
Mbali Lerumo
Biography
I am currently a master’s student in Physics at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, with an academic focus on quantum computing. My interest in quantum physics developed during my undergraduate studies, when I was introduced to modern physics and quantum mechanics. Concepts such as superposition and quantum states sparked my curiosity about how physical systems behave at microscopic scales and motivated me to pursue further study in this field.
Over time, this curiosity developed into a strong interest in quantum computing, particularly its potential to solve complex physical problems that are difficult to address using classical computers. Through my work, I aim to contribute to the development of quantum simulation techniques and to advance the application of quantum computing in condensed matter and nanoscale physical systems.
Research
My research project, “Towards Simulating Quantum Dots Using a Quantum Computer,” explores how quantum computational methods can be used to simulate and better understand quantum dots—nanoscale semiconductor systems that are important for quantum technologies, optoelectronics, and advanced materials research. Integrating quantum computing into quantum dot research represents a significant shift, allowing for improved precision in modelling their properties and interactions.
Awards & presentations
South African Quantum Technology Initiative bursary, 2025.