Jishnu Mahmud
Quantum Information and Computation PhD student
Curriculum Vitae
About
I am a PhD student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, working in the quantum algorithms group of Dr. Rebekah Herrman. I am broadly interested in quantum information and computation, with a focus on algorithms for fault-tolerant quantum computers.
My research uses Hamiltonian simulation, block encodings, and the quantum singular value transformation (QSVT) as a framework for building new quantum algorithms for scientific computing, especially simulating partial and ordinary differential equations.
Before coming to UT, I spent two years as a Lecturer in Computer Science at BRAC University and as a Research Assistant at BUET, where I worked on quantum variational algorithms and quantum machine learning with Dr. Shaikh Anowarul Fattah. I received my B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET).
Research interests:
- Block encodings of structured operators (finite-difference, Gaussian-type, and moment-structured operators)
- QSVT / QSP-based linear solvers and Hamiltonian simulation
- Quantum algorithms for differential equations and end-to-end resource estimation
- Quantum walks
Publications & Preprints
Quantum Algorithms for Scientific Computing
Moment-Structured Block Encodings of Periodic Finite-Difference Operators
Mahmud, J., and Herrman, R.
arXiv preprint (2026). [arXiv] [PDF]
Explicit Block Encoding of Difference-of-Gaussian Operators on a Periodic Grid
Mahmud, J., Winship, J., Lash, T., Ostrowski, J., and Herrman, R.
IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE) 2026 — accepted talk. [arXiv] [PDF]
Quantum Walks
Simplification Rules for Continuous-Time Quantum Walks on Dynamic Graphs
Atallah, M., Dilley, D., Mahmud, J., Saleem, Z., and Herrman, R.
arXiv preprint (2026). [arXiv] [PDF]
Quantum Machine Learning
Selective Feature Re-Encoded Quantum Convolutional Neural Network with Joint Optimization for Image Classification
Mahernob Sarkar, S., Iftekhar Ahmed, S., Mahmud, J., Anowarul Fattah, S., and Sharma, G.
Quantum Machine Intelligence 8, 79 (2026). [Journal] [Preprint PDF]
Hybrid Quantum-Classical Learning for Multiclass Image Classification
Anwar, S., Das, S., Hossain, M. I., and Mahmud, J.
Under review at Quantum Machine Intelligence. [arXiv] [PDF]
Patch-Based End-to-End Quantum Learning Network for Reduction and Classification of Classical Data
Mahmud, J., and Fattah, S. A.
arXiv preprint (2024). [arXiv] [PDF]
Quantum Convolutional Neural Networks with Interaction Layers for Classification of Classical Data
Mahmud, J., Mashtura, R., Fattah, S. A., and Saquib, M.
Quantum Machine Intelligence 6, 11 (2024). [Journal] [Preprint PDF]
A Parallel Quantum Feature Encoding Scheme for Effective Classical Data Classification in Quantum Convolutional Neural Networks
Mashtura, R., Mahmud, J., Fattah, S. A., and Saquib, M.
IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2023), Chiang Mai, Thailand, pp. 1–5. [IEEE]
Education
- Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2025 – present)
- Quantum Algorithms Group, advised by Dr. Rebekah Herrman
- Graduate Fellowship, Academic Years 2025 and 2026
- B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering — Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) (graduated June 2023)
- Major: Communication & Signal Processing
- Thesis: Quantum Variational Algorithms
- CGPA: 3.87 / 4.00 (Class Rank 2 / 65 in CSP)
- International Advanced Level (IAL) — Mastermind English Medium School
- A* in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Further Mathematics
- World Highest Score in Mathematics
- IGCSE — South Breeze School
- A* in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Bengali; A in English Language, Accounting, and Economics
Experience
Research
- Graduate Research Assistant — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Dec 2025 – present)
- Quantum algorithms research under Dr. Rebekah Herrman: block encodings, QSVT, and quantum algorithms for differential equations.
- Research Assistant — Institute of Robotics and Automation, BUET (Jun 2023 – Jul 2025)
- Developed quantum machine learning algorithms for classical data with Dr. Shaikh Anowarul Fattah.
Teaching
-
Graduate Teaching Assistant — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Aug 2025 – Dec 2025)
- Lecturer, Computer Science and Engineering — BRAC University (Jun 2023 – Jun 2025)
- Taught CSE481: Quantum Computation and Information 1 and CSE482: Quantum Information 2 to physics and computer science undergraduates.
- Co-designed the CSE481 (Quantum Computing 1) course.
- Co-supervised two undergraduate thesis groups on quantum variational algorithms.
-
Teaching Assistant, IAL Physics — Edbase (Aug 2017 – Oct 2018)
- Teaching Assistant, Classical Guitar & Music Theory — Classical Music Academy of Dhaka (Jan 2016 – May 2018)
Talks, Conferences & Summer Schools
- IEEE Quantum Week (QCE) 2026 — Talk: Explicit Block Encoding of Difference-of-Gaussian Operators on a Periodic Grid
- Gene Golub SIAM Summer School 2026, Duke University — Fault-Tolerant Quantum Algorithms
- INFORMS Optimization Society Conference 2026
- TQC 2024
- IUB Summer School 2024: Glimpses into the Quantum World — Information, Technology, and Applications, Independent University, Bangladesh — Lectures by Dr. Leong Chuan Kwek (NUS) and Dr. Subhro Bhattacharjee (ICTS)
- IEEE TENCON 2023, Chiang Mai, Thailand — Talk on quantum machine learning
Honors & Awards
- Graduate Fellowship, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2025, 2026)
- Dean’s List Award, BUET (all undergraduate levels)
- University Merit Scholarship, BUET (1st & 2nd semesters)
- University Stipend Scholarship, BUET (3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th semesters)
Beyond Research
I am (sort of was?) a classical guitarist with the Classical Music Academy of Dhaka. I love playing tennis, watching football, and (passionately, painfully) following Manchester United :’(.