Biography:
Julia Kempe is a renowned researcher in quantum computing, hailing from France, Germany, and Israel. She currently holds the esteemed positions of Director of the Center for Data Science at NYU and Professor at the Courant Institute. Kempe’s life and career have been marked by her invaluable contributions to the field of quantum computing, earning her recognition and praise.
Born in East Berlin, Kempe hails from a family with Russian roots. In 1990, she made the bold decision to relocate to Austria, setting the stage for her remarkable academic journey. Kempe’s undergraduate studies took place at the University of Vienna, where she pursued a dual major in mathematics and physics from 1992 to 1995. During this time, she spent a year as an exchange student at the University of Technology Sydney, further expanding her knowledge in the field of physics.
Continuing with her thirst for academic excellence, Kempe embarked on two separate Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) degrees in France. In 1996, she completed a DEA in mathematics from Pierre and Marie Curie University, followed by another DEA in physics from the prestigious École normale supérieure in 1997. These accomplishments served as a testament to Kempe’s intellectual prowess and dedication to her craft.
Eager to delve deeper into the field of quantum computing, Kempe pursued two doctorates. In 2001, she obtained her Ph.D. in computer science from the École nationale supérieure des télécommunications. Her dissertation, titled Quantum Computing: Random Walks and Entanglement, was supervised by the renowned scientist, Gérard Cohen. Kempe’s second Ph.D. in mathematics came from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2001. This time, her captivating dissertation, Universal Noiseless Quantum Computation: Theory and Applications, was jointly supervised by Elwyn Berlekamp and esteemed chemist K. Birgitta Whaley.
Kempe’s academic journey took her to various institutions across the globe. In 2001, she joined CNRS at the University of Paris-Sud, where she continued to thrive academically. Concurrently, she pursued postdoctoral studies at both Berkeley and the Berkeley Mathematical Sciences Research Institute. In 2007, Kempe made an exciting move as she became part of the faculty of Tel Aviv University. Transitioning from Paris-Sud to Paris Diderot in 2010, Kempe continued to leave an indelible mark on the scientific community.
Following her academic pursuits, Kempe embarked on a phase of research in finance, captivating yet another field with her expertise. However, her greatest accomplishment came in September 2018, when she assumed the role of Director of the Center of Data Science at NYU and a professor at the Courant Institute. These prestigious appointments serve as a testament to Kempe’s influence and respect within the scientific community.
Awards and honors have been bestowed upon Kempe for her groundbreaking research and contributions. In 2006, she clinched the bronze medal of CNRS and the esteemed Irène Joliot-Curie Prize from the French government. These accolades recognized her incredible achievements and propelled her further into the realm of scientific excellence. In 2009, Kempe was honored with the Krill Prize of the Wolf Foundation, solidifying her status as a true pioneer in her field. Additionally, she received the Trophée des femmes en or (Women in Gold Trophy) in 2010 for her outstanding research contributions. A testament to her academic prowess, Kempe was also awarded the German Academic Scholarship Foundation’s reward in 1998, an honor reserved for only 0.25% of students at the time. Her achievements were capped off in 2018 when she was elected to the prestigious Academia Europaea, solidifying her position as a respected scholar.
Julia Kempe’s unwavering dedication to her craft and groundbreaking contributions have earned her a place of honor within the scientific community. As a trailblazer in the field of quantum computing, she continues to inspire generations of scientists, while her unwavering commitment to excellence and pioneering research secures her rightful place in women’s history.
Awards:
– Bronze Medal of CNRS
– Irène Joliot-Curie Prize from the French government
– Krill Prize from the Wolf Foundation
– Trophée des femmes en or (Women in Gold Trophy)
– Reward from German Academic Scholarship Foundation
– Knight in the National Order of Merit
– Member of the Academia Europaea.