Celia Sandys
Granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill | Author of Five Books on Churchill | Founder of Churchill Leadership | Historian & Broadcaster
David Wineland
2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics | Pioneer of Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing | Philip H. Knight Research Chair, University of Oregon | U.S. National Medal of Science
David Wineland built the experimental foundations of quantum computing: he performed the world's first quantum logic gate, invented laser cooling of trapped ions, and developed atomic clocks precise enough to detect Einstein's relativity in real time. A 2012 Nobel Laureate and Knight Research Chair at the University of Oregon, he gives audiences an unmatched first-principles view of where the quantum revolution came from and where it is heading.
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David Wineland biography
David Wineland is a 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics and one of the founding architects of quantum computing. An American physicist, keynote speaker David Wineland spent four decades at the National Institute of Standards and Technology producing a series of firsts that still define the field. Born in Wisconsin and educated at UC Berkeley and Harvard, he completed his doctorate in 1970 under Nobel laureate Norman Ramsey and went on to postdoctoral research with Hans Dehmelt, himself a future Nobel Prize winner, at the University of Washington. The intellectual lineage is as distinguished as the work it produced.
Science speaker David Wineland is best known for pioneering the laser cooling of trapped ions, a technique he first demonstrated in 1978 that uses precisely tuned laser light to slow ions to near absolute zero and gave him the extraordinary quantum control his later breakthroughs required. In 1995, his team at NIST performed the first quantum logic gate using two trapped ions, one of the earliest working demonstrations of quantum computing. He later developed quantum logic spectroscopy, used to build atomic clocks of unprecedented precision, accurate enough to detect the time dilation predicted by Einstein’s relativity across a height difference of just 33 centimeters. In 2004, his group became the first to quantum teleport information between massive particles.
These achievements form the experimental scaffolding on which the modern quantum computing industry now rests. The Nobel Committee recognized as much when it awarded Wineland and Serge Haroche the 2012 Physics Prize for experimental methods that enable the measurement and manipulation of individual quantum systems, work the committee described as opening the door to a new era of experimentation.
From NIST to the University of Oregon: A Career Still Shaping Quantum Science
Beyond the Nobel Prize, Wineland’s honors include the U.S. National Medal of Science, presented by President George W. Bush, the Frederic Ives Medal from the Optical Society of America, and election to the National Academy of Sciences. After more than four decades at NIST in Boulder, Colorado, he joined the University of Oregon in 2018 as the Philip H. Knight Distinguished Research Chair and Research Professor of Physics, where he remains active in trapped-ion research while keeping ties to NIST and an adjoint appointment at the University of Colorado Boulder.
As a speaker, David Wineland offers audiences a rare combination of historical authority and practical clarity on quantum computing. He speaks on the science behind quantum information processing, the role of atomic clocks in modern technology and navigation, the long arc from curiosity-driven research to commercial quantum hardware, and the patience and experimental culture that foundational breakthroughs demand. His talks resonate with technology leaders, scientists, investors, and policymakers who want a grounded, first-principles perspective on the quantum revolution from one of the people most responsible for making it possible.
David Wineland Speaking Videos
Nobel Laureate in physics David J. Wineland – Nobel Lectures in Uppsala 2012
Nobel Laureate Speaker Series: Quantum Computers and Raising Schrödinger's Cat. Dr. David Wineland.
David Wineland Keynote Topics
Wineland walks audiences through the experimental journey behind the first quantum logic gate in 1995, from the physics of ion traps and laser cooling to the moment his team showed that quantum bits could perform logical operations. The talk builds a clear, accessible foundation for understanding what quantum computers really are, why they are so hard to build, and why trapped ions remain one of the most promising hardware architectures in the field today.
An exploration of how Wineland's work on quantum logic spectroscopy produced atomic clocks able to detect time dilation at walking speed and gravitational shifts across a few centimeters, and what that precision means for GPS, telecommunications, financial systems, and fundamental physics. The session is especially valuable for audiences in technology infrastructure, defense, and precision engineering who want to see how quantum measurement is already reshaping the world.
A long-view perspective on how quantum computing grew from isolated university experiments in the 1970s and 80s into a global technology contest that now draws in the world's largest companies and national governments. Wineland examines what the field got right, what took longer than anyone expected, and what the history of experimental physics offers organizations trying to commercialize deep science.
A reflective talk on the culture, mindset, and institutional conditions that make foundational breakthroughs possible, drawing on Wineland's four decades at NIST, his doctoral training under Nobel laureates, and the iterative experimental work behind every milestone. The session resonates with R&D leaders, research university audiences, and executives weighing long-horizon innovation strategy.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking David Wineland
Why David Wineland?
Booking David Wineland means bringing to your stage the scientist who built the first quantum logic gate and invented the laser cooling techniques that made modern quantum computing possible. As a 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics and Philip H. Knight Distinguished Research Chair at the University of Oregon, he offers audiences something no panel or slide deck can replicate: a firsthand account of how quantum mechanics moved from theory to working hardware across five decades of hands-on experimentation. His talks suit events in technology, deep science, innovation strategy, and research leadership, pairing intellectual depth with a grounded read on where the quantum revolution is genuinely headed. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book David Wineland for your next conference or corporate event.
What is David Wineland famous for in quantum computing?
His team at NIST performed the first quantum logic gate using two trapped ions in 1995, one of the earliest functional demonstrations of quantum computing. He also pioneered laser cooling of ions, a foundational technique that brings atomic particles to near absolute zero so they can be controlled with precision, and developed quantum logic spectroscopy, which enabled atomic clocks more accurate than any prior technology. Together these contributions form much of the experimental foundation the quantum computing industry rests on today.
What is David Wineland's current position?
Since 2018, Wineland has been the Philip H. Knight Distinguished Research Chair and Research Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon, where he continues active research on trapped-ion quantum systems. He also retains ties to NIST, where he carried out the bulk of his Nobel Prize-winning work over more than four decades, and holds an adjoint appointment at the University of Colorado Boulder.
What topics does Nobel Prize speaker David Wineland cover in his keynotes?
Wineland speaks on the science and history of quantum computing, laser cooling and trapped-ion technology, the development and uses of ultra-precise atomic clocks, the path from fundamental physics to commercial quantum hardware, and the long-term implications of quantum information science for computing, cryptography, sensing, and navigation. His perspective is uniquely authoritative, grounded in the laboratory work that established the field. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Nobel-level credibility to your next event.
How to book David Wineland as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book David Wineland as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about David Wineland's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for David Wineland or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is David Wineland speaking fee?
David Wineland speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire David Wineland to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book David Wineland.
How can I contact David Wineland?
We only work with David Wineland on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking David Wineland and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having David Wineland speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact David Wineland for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book David Wineland for a virtual keynote?
Yes, David Wineland is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book David Wineland for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
