Quantum Leap: U of A Math Alum Dr. Keeper Sharkey Joins the Quantum.Tech Hot 10
From University of Arizona classrooms to global recognition, Dr. Sharkey’s journey is reshaping the future of quantum.
Dr. Keeper Lane Sharkey (B.S. ‘10, Ph.D. ‘15) has been named one of the Hot 10 most influential figures in quantum technology by Quantum.Tech. Founder and CEO of the successful quantum chemistry company ODE, L3C, Sharkey was also previously named one of the 40 Under 40 in Cybersecurity in 2023 and 2024.
“I’ve never struggled with confidence in my path, in fact I thrive in moments to build up my confidence, and this recognition affirms that the years of work, collaboration, exploration, and confidence building, have real resonance in the community,” Sharkey shared, “This award for me is less about boosting confidence and more about knowing that the direction I’ve committed to — connecting quantum science to real-world impact — is recognized at the core of the industry.”
Sharkey’s passion for quantum computing was sparked during a childhood in Las Vegas near the Nevada Test Site, where bombs were tested in the mid-20th century. “My grandfather actually worked as a forward area security guard during those atomic tests and growing up I heard many stories about his experiences,” Sharkey explained, “For instance, after a day at the test site, his badge would glow from radiation when he came home – a stark reminder of what he had been exposed to. He passed away from cancer due to that radiation exposure before I was born, but his legacy loomed large in my life.” Sharkey also reminisced on the stories her mother would share about being a girl watching the distant mushroom clouds from the test site. “Bomb drills” were also a common occurrence during her elementary school years.
“All of that made a huge impression on me… I became intensely curious about how such powerful reactions worked on a fundamental level, and that curiosity is really what planted the seed for my later passion in quantum computing and quantum chemistry.”
It was not until her teenage years that Sharkey began nurturing this interest in the quantum realm. “A pivotal moment was when I discovered a book on quantum chemistry by the famous quantum chemist, Linus Pauling, while I was in high school,” Sharkey shared, “That book was an eye-opener – it introduced me to the idea that you could calculate and predict properties of atoms and molecules using quantum mechanics, which I found thrilling.” Around 18, Sharkey got a job in the local community college’s chemistry stockroom, where she mixed chemicals and managed lab supplies. “That hands-on experience with real chemicals taught me so much practical chemistry and made the concepts from textbooks come alive,” Sharkey added, “It also made me realize something important; to really understand chemistry at the deepest level, I needed strong mathematics as much as chemistry knowledge. This realization is what ultimately drove me to pursue an academic path in this field.”
Sharkey ended up pursuing a double-major in Chemistry and Mathematics at the University of Arizona, followed by a PhD in Chemical Physics. “I was very intentional – I knew that mastering both subjects would be key to a career in quantum chemistry,” Sharkey remarked, “Once in university, I dove into research early, which further cemented my decision.”
In her undergraduate career, Sharkey published six research papers and received the Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award for the Department of Chemistry. In graduate school, with support from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Sharkey published another 20 peer-reviewed articles, followed by a successful dissertation.
“My years at the University of Arizona were foundational for what I do now,” Sharkey added, “the university experience trained me in critical thinking, technical expertise, and communication. It was a sandbox where I could fail safely and learn – whether it was debugging a computational model or presenting at a conference. All of that directly translates to my work now in running a quantum-tech business, where I need that same scientific rigor and the ability to continuously learn and innovate.”
One breakthrough moment for me was realizing that my research could have a life outside the academic lab – essentially, the moment I saw a clear path to entrepreneurship,” Sharkey reminisced, “The turning point came around 2018. That was when the United States launched the National Quantum Initiative and really started talking about a quantum industry on the horizon. I remember feeling a jolt of excitement – suddenly, quantum computing and quantum technologies wasn’t just an academic pursuit, it was becoming an industry with government support and real investment behind it.”
This shift in mindset launched the creation of her own venture, which later became ODE, L3C. “I had an ‘aha’ moment,” Sharkey mentioned, “I didn’t just want to publish papers that sat on library shelves, I wanted to see my work in action solving problems for industrial use cases…the tipping point was recognizing that starting a company was the best way to carry my science forward and make an impact. I haven’t looked back since – that decision has defined my career the past few years in the most exciting ways.”
The goal of ODE, L3C is to revolutionize how complex chemical problems are solved, providing tools that can model and predict chemical processes with unprecedented accuracy. What sets the company apart is operating at the intersection of quantum chemistry and cybersecurity. Being an L3C, in simple terms, means ODE is also a social enterprise, existing not just for profit, but for a public benefit mission. “In our case, that mission includes advancing quantum science for critical infrastructure and societal good,” Sharkey noted, “I often say our mission is to change the world with algorithms.” Sharkey’s unique approach has led her to being one of the leading experts in quantum cybersecurity.
Sharkey continues to grow a list of impactful contributions to the field, including authoring a book, Quantum Chemistry and Computing for the Curious, published by Packt. “Seeing the book recognized by Book Authority as one of the ‘10 Chemistry Books That Separate Amateurs from Experts’ was especially meaningful,” Sharkey boasted, “It felt like a validation of that original vision—that quantum chemistry doesn’t need to remain locked away in advanced textbooks, but can be taught, explored, and even enjoyed by a broader audience…opening the door for the next generation of curious students and teachers who want to engage with quantum at a deeper level.”
Speaking on making quantum chemistry more accessible, Sharkey shared, “in simple terms, I use computers and the laws of quantum physics to simulate molecules and chemical reactions. What that means is I develop advanced software that can virtually ‘experiment’ on molecules. Instead of mixing chemicals in a test tube, I run calculations that predict how molecules behave at the tiniest scale.”
The successful CEO also understands her role in helping women break into the field. “Being a woman in a heavily male-dominated field like quantum computing, I’m very conscious of paving the way for other women,” Sharkey noted, “I’ve made it a point to be visible in the community – taking on leadership roles and speaking engagements – because representation matters. I chair an IEEE working group and an InfraGard sector on quantum tech, and I’m often the only woman, or one of very few, in the room. By being present and vocal, I hope other women see that they belong here too.” She also takes time to mentor young professionals and strives to hire or intern talented women in STEM and support their growth.
When asked what advice she has for women and girls interested in STEM fields, Sharkey advised, “don’t let the demographics intimidate you or define you. It’s true you might walk into classrooms or meetings and not see anyone who looks like you – I certainly did – but remember that the situation only changes if you stick around and excel…persist and own your ambitions. If you’re passionate about quantum physics or coding or engineering, pursue it wholeheartedly and don’t apologize for your ambitions.” Additionally, she made note that the field is “hungry for new talent” with more resources than ever to learn.
Talking about next steps, Sharkey shared, “The next chapter for us is about growth and outreach. Growing our technology to a broader user base, and outreach in terms of education and collaboration. It’s an exciting time – we feel like we have a powerful engine, our quantum algorithms, and now it’s about driving it towards meaningful destinations. Stay tuned, because I think some of the projects we undertake in the next few years could really showcase the unique power of combining quantum computing with chemistry and AI.” Sharkey also feels a strong pull toward education and community-building. Taking on a role as a Professor of Practice, collaborating globally, and continuing consultancy are on her roadmap.
“It’s been a wild ride, and I’m thankful to all the mentors, colleagues, and supporters who have been part of it,” Sharkey concluded, “I also want to emphasize that we’re truly in an amazing era of science and tech. Quantum is no longer just a theory in textbooks; it’s a growing reality, and it’s being built by passionate people all over the world. If someone reading this is considering jumping into this field, or really any challenging field, my message is: go for it. You might be the one who makes the next big breakthrough or finds a new way to use quantum tech to help the world.”
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Additional Links
Invention Disclosure: Quantum Chemical Methods for Calculations and Computation Implementation
Additional Reading (chapters contributed)
Advanced Technologies for Humanity – Chapter 10: “Look Before You Leap: Demystifying Quantum Computing’s Enigmatic Frontier”
Survival in Space – Chapter 4: “Immersive Frontiers & Quantum Supply Chains in Space Exploration”
Maritime Transportation Systems: A Future Look at Threat Countermeasures and Risk Assessments (forthcoming) – Chapter 12: “Offshore Chemical Engineering & Quantum Technologies for Maritime Risk & Resilience”