Dr. Keeper L. Sharkey is a quantum chemist and entrepreneur with deep expertise in theoretical chemistry, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence. She is the Founder and CEO of ODE, L3C, a quantum research and technology company developing high-precision quantum virtualization platforms for modeling chemical systems at the electron-nucleus level. Her work integrates quantum mechanical simulations with AI to deliver chemically accurate, approximation-free solutions for complex molecular phenomena.
Dr. Sharkey earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry with a focus on Chemical Physics from the University of Arizona, where she continues to serve as Designated Campus Colleague, Associate Research Faculty. She has authored over two dozen peer-reviewed articles on non-Born-Oppenheimer calculations using explicitly correlated Gaussian basis functions. Her research bridges fundamental quantum mechanics with real-world chemical applications such as molecular spectroscopy, materials design, and catalyst optimization. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and NSF I-Corps Entrepreneurial Lead, she has long championed translational research.
She is the author of Quantum Chemistry and Computing for the Curious, which illustrates quantum and computational chemistry concepts through Python and Qiskit code, one of three books she has published. Most recently, Dr. Sharkey has served as the quantum chemistry subject matter expert (SME) for MIT’s Computer Science and AI Lab (CSAIL) and the Initiative on the Digital Economy, collaborating with Accenture on the groundbreaking “Quantum Crown Jewels” project. This initiative is focused on identifying the specific chemistry algorithms and use cases most likely to achieve quantum economic advantage, building on insights from the influential Quantum Tortoise and the Classical Hare framework.
Dr. Sharkey also leads national efforts in secure quantum innovation as Chair of the IEEE P1947 Working Group on Standards for a Quantum Cybersecurity Framework and as Chair of the InfraGard National Cross-Sector Council on Quantum Technologies and Cybersecurity. Her work spans quantum sensing, post-quantum cryptography, and the protection of AI-enabled critical infrastructure. During 2024, she served on organization committees for four workshops hosted by Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) partial funded by National Institute of Standards and Technology. Her company ODE, L3C is a co-founding member of the QED-C.
Her multidisciplinary expertise in quantum chemistry, AI, and cybersecurity makes her a uniquely impactful voice at the intersection of advanced technologies and chemical engineering innovation.