TechTuesday: Quantum Computing

Description

Join us for the last TechTuesday of the year! Doors open at 11:30, Program at 12. Lunch will be provided.

As quantum computing moves from theoretical promise to practical reality, Alabama is actively positioning itself to meet that future. This panel brings together academic, industry, and regional leaders to explore how coalition-building, workforce development, and resource investment across the state are shaping our region's readiness for the quantum era. Panelists will also unpack what these advances mean for organizations more broadly, including critical implications for cybersecurity and data security in a post-quantum world.

About The Panel

Irina Pritchett, PhD (MODERATOR)

Irina Pritchett serves as Senior Director of Business Intelligence at the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), where she leads BHM IQ, the organization's economic intelligence engine supporting business recruitment, workforce strategy, and regional growth initiatives. Prior to joining the BBA, she spent a decade in the banking industry, beginning in model development and risk management then transitioning to organizational change management and enterprise transformation.

Irina holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from North Carolina State University and a B.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She serves on the advisory board of EcoFluxNet and is Board President of the Hoover Public Library Foundation. A passionate advocate for the Birmingham region, Irina loves its vibrant community and exceptional natural beauty.

Dr. Richard Padbury

Richard Padbury is Director of Quantum Research within KPMG's Emerging Technology practice, where he helps organizations understand and prepare for the practical impact of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. His work focuses on identifying meaningful business applications, shaping technology strategy, and connecting technical advances with real-world outcomes. Over the course of his career, Richard has worked across industry, academia, and technology leadership roles, building collaborations and programs that move emerging technologies closer to enterprise adoption. Before joining KPMG, he led research and ecosystem initiatives at Bank of Montreal, helping establish the bank's quantum strategy and external partnerships. Earlier, at IBM Quantum, he worked with global systems integrators, consultancies, industry consortia, and universities to expand quantum expertise and accelerate adoption worldwide. Richard holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from North Carolina State University and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics from the University of Manchester (UK).

Dr. Ilias Perakis

Ilias Perakis is Professor and Chair of Physics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where his research focuses on theoretical and computational condensed matter and optical physics — including ultrafast optical properties of quantum materials, quantum design and steering of non-equilibrium states using terahertz electromagnetic fields, and multi-dimensional coherent spectroscopy.

He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by postdoctoral appointments at Rutgers University and AT&T Bell Laboratories. Before joining UAB, he served as Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt University, the University of Crete, and the Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas. An OPTICA/OSA Fellow and recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, Perakis has led a major restructuring and expansion of UAB Physics, earning the department the American Physical Society's 2023 Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education.

Dr. Lauren Rast 

Lauren Rast is an Associate Professor of Physics Education and Emerging Technologies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Her work builds students’ STEM confidence, data and digital fluency, and workforce readiness through evidence-based, distance-accessible learning. She leads Project RAISE and the Magic City Data Collective, recognized with a Governor’s Work-Based Learning Best Practices Award and a 2024 International Economic Development Council Excellence Silver Award. Her outreach helps K–12 students envision STEM careers and connects undergraduates with local partners for projects that build data and leadership skills.

Her honors include UAB’s 2021 Provost’s Transformative Online Course Award, the 2023 College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Business Alabama’s 2024 Top Women in Tech recognition. She serves on the PARCA Roundtable and local STEM education advisory groups.

A Birmingham native, Rast trained at the School of American Ballet on a Ford Foundation scholarship before earning her Ph.D. in Computational Physics at UAB. Before returning to Birmingham for her current role, she held research appointments at CU Boulder and NIST Boulder, including an NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship in computational and theoretical condensed matter and optical physics. 

Tatianna Turrentine-Long

Tatianna Turrentine-Long serves as a Business Intelligence Manager at the Birmingham Business Alliance under the BHM IQ program, the organization's economic intelligence engine supporting business recruitment, workforce strategy, and regional growth initiatives. She has served in her role for over 4 years supporting research partners and initiatives across the Greater Birmingham region.

Tatianna holds a B.A. in Political Science from Samford University. She serves as the Executive Vice President and COO of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham Executive Board and as the President of the Vulcan Park & Museum Junior Leadership Board.