About
Our Mission
The mission of the Society of Quantum Engineers at the Colorado School of Mines is to foster a vibrant and inclusive community of quantum enthusiasts, while actively promoting the exploration, understanding, and application of quantum engineering principles. We are committed to nurturing a space where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to learn, collaborate, and innovate in the realm of quantum technology. Our goal is to empower our members with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of quantum mechanics and inspire them to harness its potential to drive real-world solutions. Through lab tours, movie screenings, workshops, and collaborative projects, we aim to not only expand our knowledge but also translate it into tangible advancements that contribute to the quantum revolution. Our mission is to equip Mines students with the skills, knowledge, and passion to become the quantum engineers of the future, bridging the gap between theory and practical application in this rapidly evolving field. Together, we are dedicated to engineering the quantum future while fostering a sense of community, curiosity, and innovation among our members.

Meet Our Organization

Bora Basyildiz
President
Hi there! My name is Bora Basyildiz, and I am the acting president and co-founder of the Society of Quantum Engineers. I am a Master’s Student studying Quantum Engineering, with my thesis being about the intersection of Quantum Speed Limits and Quantum Optimal Control. Aside from school, I like to play basketball, watch UFC, and play rogue-like video games!

Brandon Barton
Director
Pratik Patnaik
Chair of Digital Operations
Hello! I am Pratik, a PhD student in the Carr Complexity Group. I have been the TA for Graduate level Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Many-body Physics and also the Fundamentals of Quantum Information. I love to teach! I also manage this website in my spare time to keep Young Quantum Engineers updated about SQE.

Brandon Reynolds
Social Director Chair
I’m currently a 3rd year PhD student in the Chemical Engineering program at Mines researching deterministic coupling of solid state defect emitters to optical cavities. I’m interested in quantum engineering education and quantum hardware paradigms, and especially interested in anything that involves light and photonics. I’m in charge of events that engage the community at Mines, and also am heavily involved with outreach to local high schools and elementary schools. In my free time, I enjoy playing all sorts of board games and video games, as well as Dungeons and Dragons.

Kylee Shiekh
Treasurer
Manages funds and budget of SQE as treasurer. Current Masters Thesis student studying Quantum Machine Learning, but also has a deep research interest in Engineering Education and AI Education! Outside of school, Kylee is developing skills in gouache painting and will listen to any podcast at least once.

Jacob (Coby) Sagal
Research and Development Chair
I am a Master's Student at Mines studying Quantum Engineering. For my thesis, I am studying Quantum and Classical Algorithms primarily used for optimization. As R&D chair of SQE, I organize journal club and events that encourage research within the department. Outside of school, I love outdoor activities like rock climbing and skiing, and I also like reading and chess.