Research News

Regional students and educators are getting an up-close look at IBM's quantum computer and the future of high-performance computing in healthcare, thanks to a new collaboration with Qubit x Qubit's The Coding School. 

The Coding School is an organization that aims to empower the next generation through computer science education. The program brought together educators from the school, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) and Cleveland State University (CSU) with Cleveland Clinic and IBM researchers to create a unique learning experience that emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion in technology.

Cleveland Clinic hosted two separate workshops for regional students and educators to learn about quantum computing and hear from professionals in the field. The goal of both sessions was to build connections and create a talent pipeline by helping students and educators learn what skills and knowledge are needed to work in the rapidly growing field of quantum computing.

For the first session, 16 students from CMSD attended a series of sessions hosted by IBM and Lerner Research Institute (LRI). The students were given a deep dive on what quantum computing is, how it works differently from current computing techniques and its applications for research in healthcare and life sciences. Brian Raubenolt, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Genomic Medicine, explained possible career paths in quantum computing that combined the students' passion for technology and healthcare. The students received a tour of IBM Quantum System One and learned the significance of Cleveland Clinic's partnership with IBM and the creation of the only quantum computer dedicated to healthcare and life sciences.

For the second session, thirty CMSD and CSU educators met at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic to learn about the fundamentals of quantum computing and to encourage one another to incorporate quantum computing into their lesson plans. Throughout the day, the educators were able to hear first-hand from industry professionals and researchers about their expectations for students seeking internships and careers in computer science. The goal of the event was to support educators in creating curriculums that will help build a talent pipeline from our regional schools to Cleveland Clinic.

These opportunities were made possible through a 2023 Cleveland Clinic Education Institute grant combined with a Public Interest Technology University network (PIT-UN) grant from CSU to create learning experiences for regional students.