Speaker:Liyi Li

Quantum computers offer unique capabilities that can be used to program substantially faster algorithms compared to those written for classical computers.
The field of programming languages provides computer system modeling, which allows computer scientists to intuitively understand the system; and designs programming languages for a system that permit programmers to develop computer programs based on the system with correctness assurance. The current researches in quantum computing and programming languages essentially transform quantum computing theories to programming language systems, for computer programmers to understand and use quantum computer systems. There are two main trends: developing intuitive programming languages for supporting programmers to utilize quantum devices; as well as frameworks for reasoning about the quantum programs that these programmers develop. In this talk, I will introduce the current research trends in the combined field of quantum computing and programming languages, by discussing my post and on-going projects.

Biography

Liyi Li is a Postdoc in the Computer Science Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in December, 2020. His research focuses on using formal method and programming language tools to improve the security, reliability, and availability of software. Mainly, his research is more towards using interactive theorem proving techniques to verify the correctness of language translations. He has explored the design of a complete executable semantics of LLVM for automatically discovering or remediating software flaws and security vulnerabilities. Recently, he has turned his attention to exploring possible formal methods and programming language tools for analyzing quantum programs, including designing new quantum languages and using existing programming language tools, such as interactive theorem proving techniques and type systems, to verify the correctness of quantum compilers. During his career, he has published many refereed conference papers. He also likes to interact with talented students and mentors PHD students towards successful PHD careers.