• Special Talk

May 16, 2026 12:00 PM - May 16, 2026 2:00 PM
PAIS 1100 and Lobby

Presenter:

Kathrin Spendier, PhD

Keynote Speaker

Kathrin Spendier, Ph.D., 2012, University of New Mexico
Technical Prize Director, XPRIZE Quantum

After graduating from UNM with a PhD, working in Prof. Jim Thomas' lab, she eventually became a faculty member at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs for about 10 years. 

In 2022 she left academia and joined the quantum computing startup Quantinuum, switching specialties from biophotonics to quantum computing. 

After two years there, she moved to XPRIZE, which is a non-profit that runs award competitions to find innovative solutions to societal problems.  There she runs its competition in quantum applications. 

We also remember her passion and remarkable talent for skiing!  During her time here, she helped UNM win a national ski championship.