Sonia Lopez Alarcon

Sonia Lopez Alarcon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering at the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She has been a faculty member since 2009, teaching core courses like Computer Organization and developing quantum computing curricula including the new CMPE-257 undergraduate course and CMPE-757 graduate course. Her research bridges computer architecture and quantum computing with emphasis on practical quantum circuit implementation.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Physics and Master's in Device Physics from the University Complutense of Madrid (2002), followed by a PhD in Computer Engineering (2009) where she researched cache hierarchy in simultaneous multithreaded architectures. During her studies, she gained industry experience at Lucent Technologies and Fundetel working on integrated circuit design.

Dr. Lopez Alarcon's primary research focuses on Quantum Computing and heterogeneous hardware solutions, specifically quantum circuit compilation processes, scalability challenges, and error resilience techniques. She investigates how to translate theoretical quantum algorithms into executable circuits while managing noise and resource constraints, with applications in optimization problems and physics simulations. Her work connects computer engineering principles to emerging quantum technologies.

Analysis of her publication timeline shows a strategic shift from traditional computer architecture (2015-2018 cache/HLS research for GPU/heterogeneous systems) to quantum computing (2019-2021). Recent work explores quantum algorithms for combinatorial optimization (Grover's), quantum simulation of physical systems, and machine learning applications, reflecting her adaptation to the rapidly evolving quantum landscape while maintaining her architectural expertise.

Her teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple awards:

• Kate Gleason College of Engineering Exemplary Performance in Teaching Award (2016, 2017, 2020)
• Computer Engineering Most Effective Teacher Award (2016)

She actively mentors graduate students including Mark Danza (MS Computer Engineering candidate 2025), with whom she collaborated on quantum machine learning research featured in Quantum Zeitgeist (May 2025). She contributes to RIT's quantum information science minor launched in 2022, developing curriculum and supervising student research in this emerging field.

Dr. Lopez Alarcon leads quantum computing research efforts within RIT's Department of Computer Engineering, collaborating with colleagues like Cory Merkel on quantum algorithm applications. Her work is supported through her personal research website and integration into university-wide quantum initiatives, positioning her at the forefront of academic quantum computing education and research.