RUNC: Advaith Cheruvu - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The senior strives to make next-generation computing technologies more powerful and practical. Advaith Cheruvu is a senior double-majoring in physics and computer science within the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. (Megan Mendenhall/UNC Research) Advaith Cheruvu is a senior double-majoring in physics and computer science within the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. He is also the co-founder and president of the Quantum Computing Club at UNC-Chapel Hill. Quantum mechanics is the science of how the building blocks of the universe, like atoms and electrons, behave. Cheruvu’s research focuses on quantum computing, an emerging technology that could one day solve problems beyond the reach of today’s fastest supercomputers. By combining quantum computing with machine learning, he aims to make these experimental systems more efficient, practical, and ready for real-world use. How did you discover your specific field of study? When I was a kid, my dad showed me documentaries about quantum physics, which is how matter and energy behave at incredible small scales. I remember struggling to comprehend how some of these phenomena could even be possible. For example, particles can sometimes behave like waves, pass through barriers that seem impossible to cross, or remain mysteriously correlated to one another across long distances. Over time, I built the mathematical foundation needed to explore these concepts more deeply. In high school, I discovered that researchers were using these strange quantum behaviors to develop a fundamentally new type of computer. Realizing that quantum systems could solve problems beyond the reach of traditional computers was eye-opening. It showed me how abstract physics concepts could have real-world applications. Since then, I have been fascinated by how quantum computes work, their capabilities, and how machine learning can help advance both the technology and the algorithms that power it. Academics are problem-solvers. Describe a research challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it. One of the biggest challenges in physics research is turning elegant theories into working computer simulations. In my most recent project, I used a quantum computing algorithm called SSVQE to calculate the energy levels of a quantum particle in a complex potential energy landscape. My initial implementation became so complicated that it was vulnerable to both calculation errors and mistakes in how the physics was being modeled. Debugging the code quickly became overwhelming. To overcome this, I simplified the problem. I switched to a much simpler physics model and isolated the different parts of the algorithm. By reorganizing the code into modular, configurable components, I could systematically test each piece and identify what was going wrong. Taking that intentional step backward allowed me to pinpoint the source of the problem and build a stronger foundation for moving forward. Describe your research in five words. Quantum physics enabling clever computing. Who or what inspires you? Why? My family and friends inspire me constantly. Watching them achieve their goals reminds me that hard work pays off. They push me to be 1% better every day. That same mindset drives my research. Quantum computing can be highly theoretical and abstract, but I am motivated by the prospect of seeing the technology I build used in practice to help the people, businesses, and causes I care about. If you could pursue any other career, what would it be and why? Being an educator is pretty appealing. Sharing my passion for physics and computer science with future generations would be incredibly rewarding. Research UNCovered delves into the lives of Carolina researchers from all disciplines and career levels, showcasing not only their research prowess but personal experiences in academia and beyond. Read more RUNC features here. By UNC Research Comments are closed.