Bill Wisotsky began his academic career at SUNY Albany, graduating in 1994. While pursuing a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience at CUNY, he conducted biophysics research on neural pathways in the human visual system using visual evoked potentials. It was during this time—while studying photon absorption in the retina—that he first encountered the principles of quantum physics. Concepts like superposition and entanglement, initially explored out of necessity, quickly sparked a deep and lasting fascination. This curiosity evolved into a passion as Bill delved into the emerging field of quantum computing. He immersed himself in the theoretical foundations and practical applications of quantum mechanics in computation, laying the groundwork for what would become a defining focus of his career. Bill has been with SAS since 2002 as part of US Professional Services. Throughout this tenure Bill continued to nurture his interest in quantum technologies. He actively pursued coursework, attended seminars, and experimented with platforms such as IBM Qiskit, PennyLane, Cirq, Pytket and Classiq. His hands-on exploration led to the development of several small-scale proofs of concept, which ultimately catalyzed the launch of the Applied Quantum Initiative at SAS. Today, Bill serves as the Principal Quantum Systems Architect in Research and Development, leading efforts to integrate quantum computing into real-world business solutions. He has recently been named as a 2025 CEO Award of Excellence Winner and is an inventor on three patents with one accepted (U.S. Patent No. 12,373,720) and two pending.
Imagine being dropped into a vast mountain range, such as the Adirondacks and being tasked with finding a specific lake. You are told that the lake is located at the lowest part of the mountain range and the only tools you are given are a compass and a method for
