The retreat kicked off with a warm welcome from the organizers, setting a collegial and inspiring tone for the days ahead. Participants were introduced to ML4Q in general its ongoing commitment to supporting early career researchers. The opening session highlighted plans for the next funding period, including new initiatives focused on the training of quantum professionals and comprehensive career development programs.
The focus of the next session of the first day was also on career, with two engaging and contrasting career talks. Prof. Dr. Silvia Pappalardi offered a glimpse into academic life, while Dr. Anne-Maria Visuri shared her experience of transitioning into industry. In the evening, a dynamic poster session brought researchers together across sites and disciplines, creating space for exchange. It was a great opportunity, especially for our summer internees, to learn more about the various projects of the cluster and thus a perfect start for their internship.
Scientific talks from ML4Q fellows opened the second day, leading into a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. David DiVincenzo, whose reflections on quantum information and his research path left a lasting impression. After lunch, PhD students and postdocs from all sites gave more detailed insights into their projects. The afternoon brought a change of pace, as participants joined hikes, gathered around board games, or went for a swim and volleyball game. Karaoke in the evening added a fun close to the day, with plenty of laughs and a few surprisingly strong performances.
The third day of the retreat was mostly dedicated to training. After a talk on reproducibility, transparency and reliability in research, participants joined the workshops of their choice. The topics varied a lot. In some students could improve their skills relevant for their research (e.g. machine learning, 3D-Rendering with Blender ).
In other the focus was on designing of courses (teaching skills) or encouraging participants to look at their research from different perspective and try to pitch it to potential investors (Visualize the impact of your research and communicate it effectively). Two participants of the last one, Santhosh Surendra and Finn Eckstein, were awarded with ‘The Pitch Prize for Best Innovation Potential’ from the Gateway Excellence Start-up Center of the University of Cologne. The sessions encouraged active engagement and open discussion, and the day concluded in a focused and collaborative atmosphere.
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