Michael Houghton
2020 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine | Discoverer of Hepatitis C Virus | Li Ka Shing Professor of Virology, University of Alberta
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 — performing the world's first quantum logic gate, inventing laser cooling of ions, and developing atomic clocks accurate enough to detect Einstein's relativity in real time. A 2012 Nobel Laureate and Philip H. 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 headed.
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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 whose four decades of research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology produced a series of firsts that define the field today. Born in Wisconsin and educated at UC Berkeley and Harvard, Wineland completed his doctorate in 1970 under Nobel laureate Norman Ramsey and conducted postdoctoral research with Hans Dehmelt, a future Nobel Prize winner himself, 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, enabling the extraordinary level of quantum control his subsequent 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 — clocks accurate enough to detect the time dilation predicted by Einstein’s theory of 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 collectively represent the experimental scaffolding on which the modern quantum computing industry has been built. The Nobel Committee recognized this in awarding Wineland and Serge Haroche the 2012 Physics Prize for experimental methods enabling 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 research on trapped-ion quantum systems.
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 physics research to commercial quantum hardware, and the patience and experimental culture required to achieve foundational breakthroughs. His talks resonate with technology leaders, scientists, investors, and policymakers seeking 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 that produced the first quantum logic gate in 1995 — from the physics of ion traps and laser cooling to the precise moment his team demonstrated that quantum bits could perform logical operations. This talk establishes a clear and accessible foundation for understanding what quantum computers actually are, why they are 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 capable of detecting time dilation at walking speed and gravitational differences across centimeters — and what that extraordinary precision means for GPS, telecommunications, financial systems, and fundamental physics. This session is particularly valuable for audiences in technology infrastructure, defense, and precision engineering who want to understand how quantum measurement is already changing the world.
A long-view perspective on how quantum computing evolved from isolated university experiments in the 1970s and 80s into a global technology competition now involving the world's largest companies and national governments. Wineland examines what the field got right, what took longer than expected, and what lessons the history of experimental physics offers organizations trying to navigate the commercialization of deep science.
A reflective talk on the culture, mindset, and institutional conditions that enable foundational scientific breakthroughs — drawing directly on Wineland's four decades at NIST, his doctoral training under Nobel laureates, and the iterative experimental work that preceded every major milestone. This session resonates strongly with R&D leaders, research university audiences, and executives thinking about long-horizon innovation strategy.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking David Wineland
Why David Wineland?
Booking David Wineland for your event means bringing the stage to the scientist who literally 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, Wineland offers audiences something no slide deck or panel discussion can replicate: a firsthand account of how quantum mechanics moved from theory to laboratory reality over five decades of hands-on experimentation. His talks are ideal for events in technology, deep science, innovation strategy, and research leadership — delivering both intellectual depth and practical insight into 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?
Wineland's 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 precisely controlled, and developed quantum logic spectroscopy, which enabled atomic clocks far more accurate than any previous technology. Together, these contributions form much of the experimental foundation that today's quantum computing industry is built on.
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 in Eugene, where he continues active research on trapped-ion quantum systems. He retains a consulting role with the Ion Storage Group at NIST, the laboratory where he conducted the bulk of his Nobel Prize-winning work over more than four decades.
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 applications of ultra-precise atomic clocks, the path from fundamental physics research 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 explore how David Wineland can 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.
