Quantum computing is often portrayed as an abstract, futuristic discipline—a landscape defined by supercooled machines, counterintuitive physics, and indecipherable mathematical formalisms. Yet behind the dramatic technological leap lies an entire generation of engineers translating theoretical quantum principles into industrial-scale problem-solving systems. One such figure is Genya Crossman, an IBM engineer whose work embodies the bridge between experimental research and real-world application.
In 2025, quantum computing stands at an inflection point. UNESCO has declared it the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, recognizing both its scientific origins and its rapidly expanding influence across industries. It is also the 100th anniversary of Werner Heisenberg’s foundational quantum mechanics paper—an event that reminds us how far the field has progressed.
For IBM engineer and IEEE member Genya Crossman, this year represents not just symbolic significance but also a defining momentum in her mission: making quantum computing accessible, practical, and meaningful for industries trying to solve complex global problems.
Her story is not merely one of professional success. It captures the evolution of quantum computing itself—from obscure theory to one of the most promising tools in modern engineering.
IBM’s Expanding Quantum Vision and Crossman’s Role at the Center
At IBM Research in Germany, Crossman works as a quantum strategy consultant and technical engagement lead, guiding the development and coordination of five major working groups that are exploring quantum applications across health care, materials science, sustainability, high-energy physics, and optimization. These groups form a new ecosystem: a collaborative framework where researchers from quantum and non-quantum backgrounds converge to examine real-world challenges.
Her position requires a rare mix of scientific literacy, systems-level thinking, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable strategies. She manages resources, connects teams with domain experts, and ensures that emerging quantum solutions align with the industrial and societal problems they aim to address.
This role was highlighted during the 6th annual IEEE Quantum Week, where IBM’s quantum working groups presented their research publicly for the first time. The event showcased an important shift: quantum computing is no longer confined to isolated laboratory experiments. It is becoming a community-driven field sustained by interdisciplinary collaboration.
For Crossman, this transition reflects her central belief: you do not need to be a quantum physicist to use a quantum computer. With cloud-accessible quantum systems and open programming frameworks like Qiskit, quantum devices are becoming tools for engineers, developers, and scientists worldwide.
Quantum Computing: Moving Beyond Abstract Concepts and Into Practical Application
Quantum computing’s complexities often overshadow its simple conceptual power. While classical systems operate on bits that exist as either 0 or 1, quantum devices use qubits that can exist in a superposition—effectively occupying multiple states simultaneously. This enables quantum processors to explore computational pathways that classical machines cannot feasibly traverse.
Qubits also exhibit entanglement, the ability to correlate with each other in ways that allow unprecedented computational shortcuts. Together, these properties make quantum computers uniquely suited for certain tasks: simulating molecular structures, optimizing logistical networks, or solving mathematical problems resistant to classical computation.
What makes Crossman’s work especially impactful is her ability to operationalize these theoretical advantages into practical pathways for industries. She understands both sides of the equation—why quantum computing works, and how it can be applied.
Her efforts at IBM allow researchers to construct algorithms tailored to specific problems, test them on utility-scale quantum systems, and evaluate their performance relative to classical alternatives. The goal is not simply to demonstrate quantum supremacy but to build quantum advantage—consistent, measurable improvements over classical computation that can influence real-world decision-making.
A Lifelong Relationship With Engineering and Curiosity
Crossman’s journey into quantum computing began long before she joined IBM. Growing up on the North Shore of Boston, she spent her mornings reading IEEE Spectrum and Scientific American with her sister. These publications became her early exposure to engineering research, scientific discourse, and the excitement of emerging technologies.
Her father, an electrical and electronics engineer—and an IEEE life member—played a key role in shaping her curiosity. He talked about circuits, scientific concepts, and breakthroughs in computing, nurturing an environment where technical exploration felt natural and inviting.
When she enrolled at McGill University to study physics, her father gifted her an IEEE student membership. That membership became a symbolic thread running throughout her early academic life—connecting her research interests, professional network, and evolving understanding of engineering communities.
Yet her path was not straightforward. After leaving McGill and moving to Paris, she worked in a café before re-entering academia at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This break may seem unconventional, but Crossman sees it as foundational. It allowed her to approach science with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.
Early Research: From Two-Dimensional Materials to Superconducting Circuits
During her time at UMass, her advisor recommended her for a research position at MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratory, where she worked on carrier transport in transistors and diodes built from two-dimensional materials.
This experience broadened her understanding of semiconductor physics, preparing her for her entry into quantum hardware engineering. Her transition to Rigetti Computing marked her first full-time role as a quantum engineer. She created device databases, designed superconducting quantum circuits, and managed fabrication processes.
These responsibilities introduced her to the physical realities of building quantum systems—microwave engineering, chip layout design, and modeling qubit interactions. It gave her an engineer’s perspective, grounding her theoretical understanding in the practical constraints of hardware development.
This period was transformative. She realized that her passion extended beyond designing qubits; she wanted to understand why users needed quantum computing and how technology should respond to those needs.
Pursuing Expertise in Europe and Expanding Quantum Perspectives
To deepen her expertise, Crossman moved to Europe to pursue a dual master’s degree in computational and applied mathematics at Delft University of Technology and Technische Universität Berlin. During her program, she worked with her mentor, Professor Eliska Greplova, exploring quantum matter, machine learning, and their intersections.
She ultimately decided not to pursue a Ph.D., recognizing that her strengths and aspirations aligned more with industry-driven innovation than with academic research. For her, the excitement of quantum computing lies not only in the discovery of new physics but in the application of that physics to real problems.
This insight guided her back to IBM—one of the few institutions with the infrastructure, expertise, and global reach necessary to accelerate quantum computing from laboratory research into enterprise-scale strategy.
IBM’s Responsible Quantum Computing Initiative and Crossman’s Leadership
Crossman now helps oversee IBM’s responsible computing initiative—an ecosystem dedicated to ensuring that quantum technologies are developed ethically, responsibly, and transparently. Responsible quantum computing involves evaluating the societal implications of quantum systems, addressing potential risks, and designing frameworks that encourage safe adoption.
Her position requires intense interdisciplinary coordination. She helps researchers define problem spaces, connects them with experts from fields like biology, chemistry, climate science, and computer engineering, and ensures that their findings are communicated in a way that benefits future users.
The working groups she supports publish publicly available papers, democratizing access to cutting-edge quantum research. This collaborative ethos is one of IBM’s most strategic advantages: it encourages a global community of developers, researchers, and industry partners to participate in shaping the future of quantum computing.
Quantum Computing’s Future: Democratization, Interdisciplinary Growth, and Global Impact
Crossman believes the industry is entering an exciting stage. When she first learned quantum mechanics in college, hardly any accessible information existed. In contrast, today’s students can access cloud-based quantum systems, textbooks, open-source tools, and active global research communities.
The field’s interdisciplinary growth is accelerating. Quantum ideas now influence materials engineering, biophysics, optimization science, financial modeling, and sustainability research. The challenge is not how to build quantum machines—the hardware continues to improve—but how to identify the problems that quantum computers can solve more efficiently than classical systems.
For Crossman, the future is defined by inclusivity. She envisions quantum computing not as an exclusive discipline but as a shared platform where scientists, engineers, and developers from many backgrounds collaborate.
As she puts it: “Anyone can use a quantum computer.”
With proper tools, guidance, and community-driven learning, quantum computing becomes a participatory field—one defined by collaboration rather than gatekeeping.
Her confidence reflects the industry’s trajectory. With global investment rising, hardware scaling, and interdisciplinary partnerships expanding, quantum computing is poised to influence the world in ways scientists a generation ago could not have predicted.
Crossman’s story is a reminder that technological revolutions are driven not just by machines, but by people—engineers who unify curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to solving hard problems.