Genya Crossman is a quantum strategy consultant at IBM in Germany. As you can see, she is taking giant leaps in the field of quantum computing. Crossman continues to be involved with the IEEE in a way that reflects her father’s amazing legacy. Antony Crossman, a respected electrical and electronics engineer and an IEEE life member, serves as her model as she charts her own innovative course in this swiftly developing discipline. Her journey is marked by a deep passion for understanding and applying quantum technologies to solve complex problems across various sectors.
Follow Crossman’s journey, from gamer to educator to entrepreneur, to see how her passion for quantum computing comes to life. She guides and supports five dynamic working groups. Collectively, their anticipated work will lead to quantum-based solutions to address some of society’s most pressing challenges across health care, materials science, high-energy physics, optimization and sustainability. She advocates for researchers by finding the resources they need. Beyond this, she opens doors to the broader IBM ecosystem, enabling specialists to efficiently address more technical or specialized questions.
Crossman focused on condensed matter physics, machine learning, and quantum learning during her early education. All of these experiences helped serve as a foundation for her current initiatives. Crossman collaborated extensively with her supervisor, Eliska Greplova, an associate professor at TU Delft. Collectively, they studied an understanding of carrier transport in 2D transistors and diodes while Crossman was a research assistant. That early, foundational research was instrumental to her future endeavors. It then resulted in the establishment of the precursor to IBM’s first device database.
A Lifelong Learner Passionate About Quantum
Crossman is excited about the potential of quantum computing because she believes it’s going to change everything. She sees it as a unique intersection of problem-solving and creativity, stating, “I really enjoy quantum engineering and working with everyone because it’s such an interdisciplinary field.”
Her position isn’t just about technical oversight, though — it’s about encouraging coordination and communication among scientists. “We got great feedback and information about identifying common features across groups,” she noted after a recent discussion on the implications of quantum technologies. By fostering these conversations, Crossman hopes to connect the dots between disciplines and provoke creative, new ideas from outside industries.
Quantum computing has become one of the hottest topics on the planet. Since then, UNESCO has taken up the cause, and has officially declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. “Quantum computing is often used to describe all quantum work,” Crossman explained. She was glad to have come into the field in its nascent stages. I started my career right at the beginning of the quantum computing industry,” she said. I’m really grateful for that.”
Engaging the Community Through Education
Crossman thinks education will be key in demystifying quantum technologies. She actively participates in events like the sixth annual IEEE Quantum Week held from August 31 to September 5 in Albuquerque. At that event, she spoke about the necessity of having the real-world context to really understand how quantum applications will work. “The audience got to hear real-life examples to understand how quantum computing applies to different scenarios and how it works,” she stated.
Her approach to education extends beyond conferences. She recalls the excitement of reading IEEE Spectrum for the first time. This experience had a measurable impact on how she understood research would be translated and applied in the field. Her diverse personal background underscores her determination to continue furthering her education. She passionately mentors a diverse group of students and scientists who wish to understand the underpinnings of quantum technologies.
“Crossman’s lifelong dedication to learning is still fueling the next step on her professional journey. When I started learning about quantum mechanics in undergrad, there wasn’t much information out there,” she reflected. Today, she’s committed to making sure that generations to come will have the same robust resources and educational experiences at their disposal.
Driving Innovation in Quantum Technologies
At IBM, Crossman virtually seats at the helm of steering innovation in the booming quantum computing industry. Her team’s focus on the road ahead helps them build technology that will have real-world, game-changing applications across multiple industries. Through the power of ibm.org ecosystem, Crossman advances academic and nonprofit research initiatives to apply quantum solutions to the most significant everyday issues.
Her efforts stretch beyond the public sector into philanthropy, health care and life sciences. Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing are a boon to all three areas. Yet they hold enormous promise to accelerate drug discovery and personalized medicine breakthroughs. Similarly, quantum algorithmic optimization methods can improve efficiency in various industries, including transportation and logistics.
As she makes her way through this challenging landscape, Crossman’s enthusiasm for quantum engineering never wavers. She values the interdisciplinary nature of the field and understands its keys to creating collaboration within multiple domains of science. “It combines problem-solving with creativity. It’s really at an exciting stage of development,” she remarked.
