Elisa Torres Durney

Girls in Quantum is a global non-profit organization. We provide free educational resources for girls and students around the world so they can get involved in the field of Quantum Computing. If I am not studying, I am working on my organization ;) • +300 educational resources • +60 countries across 5 continents • +20 country ambassadors • +8.5k students impacted (courses, research programs, webinars, hackathons, and educational games) • Partnered with United Nations Foundations, UNESCO, IBM, Riggetti Computing, Classiq, Oxford Quantum Circuits, Quandela, Citigroup, Perimeter Institute, Le Wagon, Infleqtion, Institut Quantique, Quantum Basel and others. Instagram: @girlsinquantum

• Advised UNESCO on developing a comprehensive STEM programme to raise awareness of STEM's role in achieving SDGs. • Built capacity in STEM education, research, and innovation to foster inclusivity and advance sustainable development. • Promoted international cooperation in STEM education, research, and innovation to empower countries for a sustainable future.

Advisor to scientific and deep tech startups within startuplab.01, a hub led by Fundación Chile and Corfo that connects R&D and entrepreneurship, strengthening Chile’s innovation ecosystem and its global relevance.

Delivered 50+ keynote presentations to 25,000+ participants across 20+ countries at leading conferences, corporations, and international organizations on quantum computing, AI, STEM education, and emerging technologies. SELECTED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: International Organizations & Government: • UNESCO - Opening Ceremony, International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (Paris, 2025) • United Nations Foundation - Girl Up Global Leadership Summit, Hackathons, Bootcamps (multiple years) • American Physical Society (APS) - Quantum Fest Global Summit (Los Angeles, 2025) • Johns Hopkins University & APS - "Narrowing the Quantum Divide" Science Diplomacy Event (2024) • UN Women - International Youth Day (2024) • Organization of American States (OAS) - Inter-American Commission on Science & Technology Major Global Conferences: • GITEX GLOBAL - World's Largest Tech & Startup Show (Dubai, 2025) • Digital Enterprise Show (DES) - Málaga, Spain (2025) • Osaka World Expo - Cartier Women's Pavilion (Japan, 2025) • Swiss Cyber Security Days - 2nd largest cybersecurity conference worldwide (Bern, 2024 & 2025) • World Economic Forum (WEF) Caribbean - Women in Technology Panel (Puerto Rico, 2024) Corporate & Industry: • EY - Global Strategic Growth Forum (Palm Springs, 2023) & Innovation Realized Summit (San Francisco, 2024) • IBM - Town Meeting, Innovation Day • The Economist Impact - Commercializing Quantum (San Francisco) • Novartis - TownHall Conference (2024) • MetLife - Annual TTX Conference (2024) • The Lancet - Digital Inclusivity Panel (2024) Academic & Research: • IEEE - Global STEM Summit, Patras Quantum Seminar (Greece) • Global Quantum Symposium - Quantum Basel (2023 & 2024) • Perimeter Institute - Canada 2025 • Multiple universities: JHU, UNC Chapel Hill, PUC , U. Andes, U. Santa María, UDLA • Piñera Morel Foundation - 12 schools, 500+ students (Chile, 2025) Media Features: TEDx, Forbes, Nature Magazine, CNN, nat./int. broadcast media.

Swiss Cyber Security Days (SCSD) is the leading Swiss dialogue and knowledge platform in the field of cyber security. SCSD bridges the knowledge gap between technology, research, politics, business, and the general public, providing insights into current and future threats, alongside innovative solutions to improve security. SCSD brings together leading cyber security experts, as well as national and international leaders, under one roof. Through relevant dialogues, they present the framework conditions for digital maturity based on current research paradigms and global events.

Student Advisor at the Duke Mechanical Engineering Department. As an advisor, my mission is to collaborate with faculty, staff, and fellow students in monthly meetings and contribute to meaningful initiatives through occasional activities outside of meetings. This is a unique opportunity to drive positive change, and gain valuable leadership experience. Additionally, committee members will have access to conference funding opportunities to support professional growth.

Working with Meta Quest, COLMAP, and Gaussian Splatting to turn real spaces into 3D scenes, and just enjoying figuring out how all the pieces come together at Duke’s Intelligent Interactive Internet of Things Lab.

Accepted into the Apple’s Next-Gen Innovators 9-month mentorship, a selective program (total network of ~200 students nationwide) which pairs aspiring engineers with mentors for personalized 1:1 guidance and career exploration. Through upcoming workshops and events, I’ll gain exposure to diverse technical fields, grow my skills, and connect with mentors and peers to help shape an engineering community that reflects the communities we serve.

Selected among 14,000 applicants to participate in this year-long program, beginning January 2025, designed for undergraduate students pursuing careers in engineering, cybersecurity, and quantitative strategy. The program will consist of interactive workshops, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities with Goldman Sachs professionals and peers.

As an Angier B. Duke Merit Scholar and founder of Girls in Quantum, I focus on advancing inclusive innovation and shaping emerging technology ecosystems. Building in quantum: Led the partnership between Girls in Quantum and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to bring quantum education to Duke by inviting IBM Global Quantum Leader. Presented at the #Quantum101 forum on quantum policy and governance, alongside Duke Quantum Center, Deep Tech at Duke, and Duke Law. Founder track: Selected to present at Duke 2025 and 2026 Startup Showcases, pitch at Duke Startup Matchmaker, and pitch to 20+ investors from North Carolina through Duke I&E. Scholars & recognition: Angier B. Duke Scholar, full-ride, merit-based scholarship. Community: SWE Duke · Business Oriented Women · 1st Year Connections Group with Professor Michael Rizk · Les Diables Bleus (French Club) Advisory Boards: · Duke MEMS Student Lead · Office of Scholars and Fellows Advisor

Through the fully funded A.B. Duke Memorial Scholarship, I joined Duke University’s Summer Abroad Program at Oxford University, exploring the ethical and philosophical dimensions of artificial intelligence through seminars, lectures, and tutorials. Conversations with Professor Michael Wooldridge sharpened my perspective on AI's long-term trajectory. Engaging with Oxford's quantum physics community, from early career researchers to students just entering STEM, highlighted how deeply interconnected these frontier fields truly are. At Oxford Edge and Saïd Business School, I witnessed how world class research fuels entrepreneurial ecosystems that actively shape industries. One of the most meaningful moments was sharing with Professor Pinar Ozcan, whose work reminded me that ethics, inclusion, and societal impact are not secondary to technology; they are the point.

As a Quantum Computing Scholar at The Coding School, I received a full scholarship from IBM for an intensive program led by MIT professors. Over two semesters, I gained expertise in foundational quantum computing principles, including linear algebra, quantum mechanics, computation, and algorithms. I also had hands-on experience coding on a real quantum computer

Selected for the prestigious Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) academic enrichment summer program, I joined an inspiring cohort of high school students from over 140 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Specifically, I participated in the IST session (Innovations in Science and Technology). Along my team, we developed 'Niche Finder,' a digital platform integrating statistical analysis and quantum computing. Additionally, I participated in lectures and seminars led by Yale faculty across various disciplines including medicine, arts, technology, and physics. Thanks to receiving a scholarship, I engaged in a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum during the two-week program.