How can quantum computers help scientists study exploding stars?
How a KEYS intern from Phoenix joined University of Arizona researchers using quantum computing to study exploding stars.
Shamel Waheed (pictured), a 2026 KEYS intern from Arizona College Preparatory High School in Phoenix, and postdoctoral mentor Michael Hite worked together on quantum computing research in the laboratory of Pooja Siwach, assistant professor of physics at the University of Arizona.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
Scientists still don't fully understand why some massive stars explode as supernovas. To help answer that question, Pooja Siwach and her research team use quantum computing to model how tiny particles called neutrinos interact during those explosions.
This summer, 2026 KEYS intern Shamel Waheed from BASIS Ahwatukee joined the research team of Siwach, assistant professor of physics in the College of Science, to simulate a two-body neutrino system using quantum algorithms.
Working alongside postdoctoral researcher and mentor Michael Hite, Waheed learned new mathematical techniques, built quantum algorithms and simulated how pairs of neutrinos interact as they travel away from an exploding star. By studying these smaller systems, the team hopes to better understand the behavior of the enormous numbers of neutrinos produced during a supernova.
Shamel Waheed and graduate mentor Michael Hite discuss computational results.
Lily Howe, BIO5 Institute
For Waheed, who traveled from Phoenix and lived in the University of Arizona dorms during KEYS, the project introduced him to an entirely new area of research.
"We usually think of research as a biology or chemistry lab," said Waheed. "Being in a physics lab really changed my notion of how research is actually conducted. It looks different depending on which field you're in."
One of the biggest surprises was discovering how quickly one question led to another.
While learning quantum computing, Waheed found himself exploring topics far beyond his original project, realizing that every new concept opened the door to another question.
Those moments are exactly what Hite enjoys about mentoring.
"Learning how each other works is one of his favorite parts of mentoring,” said Hite.
Programs like KEYS also help students understand how scientific research works long before they enter college.
"We live in a universe where we actually understand very little," said Hite. "On the surface, you may think, 'Does what I do matter?' It does. It may take a while, but it does."
By the end of the summer, Waheed contributed to research simulating neutrino interactions using quantum algorithms. He also left with something unexpected: a new interest in quantum computing and a broader view of where physics research could take him.
From left: Shamel Waheed and graduate mentor Michael Hite.