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Abbas (Omid) Hassasfar

Omid is an International Ph.D. student from Iran in the Quantum Research Group at Stellenbosch University, supervised by Prof. Francesco Petruccione and Prof. Ilya Sinayskiy.

 

🔬 Research Focus: Quantum Biology and Multiscale Modeling

Omid’s primary research interest lies in investigating quantum effects in biological systems, specifically focusing on:

  • Magnetic effects in the Radical Pair Mechanism (RPM).

  • Vibrationally Assisted Electron Tunneling (VAET).

  • Simulating Quantum Biology systems on Quantum Computers.

 

He explores the crucial applications of these quantum phenomena in drug discovery and the Ligand-Receptor activation step, with broad implications for understanding living systems.

To tackle these complex problems, Omid employs a multiscale approach, aiming to bridge the gap between different scales:

  • Smallest Scale: Utilizes the Open Quantum System approach.

  • Intermediate/Larege Scales: Integrates standard computational methods like Density Functional Theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD), and QM/MM and also Machine Learning (ML) models.

Interested in the fascinating field of Quantum Biology? Read Omid’s Medium post here

 

💻 Quantum Computing Advocacy & Education

As a , he is also interested in applying Quantum Computing to solve interesting problems in Quantum Simulation, Life Sciences, and Chemistry.

He is actively involved in promoting quantum computing, as a co-founder of  and a core member of he has organized many events in Quantum Computing like QBronze, QSilver, and QNickle. Check QSouthAfrica . and in Stellenbosch University he is helping Prof. Petruccione to teach Quantum Computing course to Honours student since 2023.

As a Qiskit advocate, Omid is deeply committed to applying Quantum Computing to solve challenging problems in Quantum Simulation, Life Sciences, and Chemistry.

He is a proactive leader in the quantum community:

  • Founder of QSouthAfrica and a Core Member of QIran, where he has organized numerous successful Quantum Computing events, including QBronze, QSilver, and QNickle. (Check out QSouthAfrica’s activity on LinkedIn)

  • Since 2023, he has been assisting Prof. Petruccione in teaching the Quantum Computing course to Honours students at Stellenbosch University.

📢 Workshops, Conferences, and Global Engagement

 

Leadership & Coordination Roles

  • World’s First Quantum Biology Hackathon (2025): Africa/Middle East Leader (Berlin, Germany).
  • NYUAD International Hackathon: Mentor focused on Quantum Computing (UAE, 2023 & 2025).

Featured Conferences & Schools

  • Quantum Biology Gordon Research Conference (GRC): Italy, 2025 (Poster & Talk Presentation).
  • Pre-GRC Quantum Biology School: Coordinator (Online, 2023).
  • School: Quantum Computing for Chemistry – The Next Revolution: Attended (Strasbourg, France, 2022).
  • CHPC National Conference: Presenter/Attendee (South Africa, 2023, 2024).

Challenges & Recognition

  • ICTP – Quantinuum Quantum Hackathon: Winner/Participant (Trieste, Italy, 2023).
  • IBM Quantum Challenge: Participant (2022, 2024).
  • Qiskit Global Summer School (QGSS): Completed intensive programs (2022, 2023).
  • IBM Certified Associate Developer: Quantum Computation using Qiskit (2023).

Key Instructor Roles

  • CHPC/CHACAL Workshops (2024): Instructor for Quantum Computing with Qiskit.

🎓 Academic Background

Omid holds a:

  • BSc in Theoretical Physics from the University of Guilan, Iran.

  • MSc in Theoretical Physics from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran.

He has a strong passion for education, having taught Physics and Mathematics to university and high school students since 2011.

Contact details:

Email: Omid.Hassasfar@gmail.com
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