Rebecca Casati profile picture

Hello, I'm

Rebecca Casati

PhD Student in Physics · Quantum Computing @ University of Milan

I am studying quantum computing algorithms and their applications to real-world problems, from maritime navigation to space exploration.

Professional Experience

PhD Student in Physics, Astrophysics and Applied Physics

Oct. 2024 - Sept. 2027

University of Milan

Milan, Italy

  • Scholarship: co-funded by NATO STO CMRE
  • Project: Quantum computing algorithms for maritime and underwater applications.
  • Group: Quantum Intelligence Lab (Supervisor: Prof. Enrico Prati)

Visiting Research Fellow

Oct. 2025 - Mar. 2026

Waseda University

Tokyo, Japan

  • Project: Quantum computing for quantum sensing with NV centers.
  • Department: School of Fundamental Science and Engineering.
  • Group: Quantum Sensing group, Tanii-lab (Supervisor: Prof. Tanii Takashi).

Teaching Assistant

Feb. - May 2025

University of Milan

Milan, Italy

  • Course: Foundations of Quantum Computing (Master's in AI).
  • I taught introductory coding classes on programming quantum circuits with Pennylane.

Researcher - Collaborator

Mar. - July 2024

University of Milan - Physics Department

Milan, Italy

  • Fundings: Italian Space Agency (ASI).
  • Project: CQES - Quantum Computers and Space Exploration.
  • I solved space-related optimization problems (job shop scheduling) using D-Wave's quantum annealers.

Education

Master's in Artificial Intelligence for Science and Technology

University of Milan-Bicocca, University of Milan, University of Pavia

Oct. 2022 - Sept. 2024

Final Mark: 110/110 cum Laude

Thesis: Adiabatic Quantum Computing for Space Missions Scheduling.

Bachelor's degree in Physics

University of Milan-Bicocca

Sept. 2019 - Nov. 2022

Final Mark: 109/110

Thesis: Use of gold nanoparticles for neuronal stimulation.

Publications

Conference paper

Rebecca Casati, Thomas Giudici, Pietro Torta, and Enrico Prati

Iterative Quantum Annealing for Job Shop Scheduling with a Directed Graph Representation

In: 2025 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE). Vol. 01. 2025, pp. 2161-2169.

DOI: 10.1109/QCE65121.2025.00236
Journal article

Pietro Torta, Rebecca Casati, Stefano Bruni, Antonio Mandarino, and Enrico Prati

Quantum Computing for Space Applications: a Selective Review and Perspective

In: EPJ Quantum Technology 12, 66 (2025).

DOI: 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00369-8
Conference paper

Rebecca Casati and Enrico Prati

Exploiting adiabatic quantum computing in deep space missions

In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2025, vol. 3017. 1., p. 012042.

DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/3017/1/012042
Conference paper

Antonio Mandarino, Pietro Torta, Rebecca Casati, and Enrico Prati

Quantum computing for deep space physics applications

In: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC. 2024, pp. 273-277.

DOI: 10.52202/078361-0033
Conference paper

Pietro Torta, Luca Leone, Rebecca Casati, and Enrico Prati

Neural Quantum Annealing for Real-World Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization

In: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE). Vol. 02. 2024, pp. 514–515.

DOI: 10.1109/QCE60285.2024.10382

Event participations

Conference 31 Aug.-5 Sept. 2025

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Oral presenter

QCE25 International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering - IEEE Quantum Week 2025

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Research school 8-13 June 2025

Sleat, Scotland

Selected participant

Quantum Machine Learning and Hamiltonian Simulation

ICMS International Centre for Mathematical Sciences

Conference 16–21 Mar. 2025

Anaheim, California

Oral presenter

Joint March Meeting and April Meeting - GPS Global Physics Summit 2025

APS American Physical Society

Conference 12-13 Dec. 2024

Bologna, Italy

Oral presenter

HPCQC2024 High Performance Computing and Quantum Computing Workshop 2024

CINECA

Conference 14-18 Oct. 2024

Milan, Italy

Poster presenter

IAC2024 International Astronautical Congress

IAF International Astronautical Federation

Conference 16‑20 Sept. 2024

Castiglioncello, Italy

Conference Secretary and Poster presenter

Workshop DICE2024: Spacetime Matter Quantum Mechanics

Technical Skills

Programming

PythonRMATLABLaTeXC/C++

Quantum Computing

QiskitPennylaneD-Wave Ocean SDK D-Wave LeapAzure QuantumIBM Quantum

Classical Libraries

PyTorchPyTorch GeometricDGLGurobi Scikit-learnPandasNumPyNetworkX

Languages

Italian (Native)English (C1 Advanced)