Building Quantum Momentum in the BioHealth Capital Region with IonQ’s Matthew Keesan
Release Date: 12/14/2025
Building a Life Sciences Innovation District in Prince William County
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
This episode of the BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast brings together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development to unpack the vision behind a new life sciences Innovation District anchored in Prince William County. With introductions to NAUGEN, George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, setting the stage for how each organization contributes to the district’s foundation. The guests talk about the life science assets, research strengths, and translational capabilities that define the district...
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Building Quantum Momentum in the BioHealth Capital Region with IonQ’s Matthew Keesan
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
IonQ Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform Matthew Keesan joins BioTalk for a clear look at how they are advancing quantum computing from its home base in the BioHealth Capital Region. He shares the story of IonQ’s Maryland roots and explains quantum computing in straightforward terms for listeners seeking a high-level understanding. The conversation moves into why biohealth leaders should track the hardware race, what distinguishes IonQ’s approach, and how quantum is already being paired with AI to strengthen modeling and analysis. Keesan walks through early use cases showing traction...
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Quantum, Biohealth, and the Future of Innovation with Strangeworks Founder and CEO Whurley
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
William Hurley, known widely as Whurley, joins BioTalk for a deep look at how quantum computing is moving from theory into practical use across the biohealth landscape. He opens the conversation with an introduction to Strangeworks and explains why the company is focused on making quantum computing more accessible for real-world problem-solving. The discussion explores how quantum could support breakthroughs in genomics and personalized medicine, improve the way clinical trials are modeled, and strengthen manufacturing and supply chain operations. Whurley also talks through the ingredients...
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Strengthening Virginia’s BioHealth Future with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Secretary Juan Pablo Segura joins BioTalk for a conversation about Virginia’s growing position in the biohealth economy and the statewide strategy behind it. He outlines the significance of the new partnership with AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Merck, including up to $120 million in private investment to create a workforce development center and expand the Commonwealth’s life sciences capacity. Segura talks through how Virginia approaches company recruitment, what investors are responding to, and why the state is seeing increased interest from biomanufacturing and advanced R&D companies. He...
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Health Security for Children: Inside the SPARK Accelerator with AcQumen Medical and Vesynta
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
This episode brings together three leaders working at the intersection of pediatric innovation, health security, and early-stage commercialization. Kolaleh Eskandanian, Program Director of SPARK, is joined by founders Dori Jones of AcQumen Medical and Jugal Suthar of Vesynta for a conversation about advancing breakthrough solutions for children. They discuss the mission behind the BARDA-funded SPARK for Innovations in Pediatrics Hub at Children's National Hospital, the challenges of developing technologies for pediatric populations, and the impact of public-private partnerships in moving...
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Crab Trap Winner Spotlight: Perfusion Medical's Mission Against Hemorrhagic Shock
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, CEO Gerard Eldering explains how Perfusion Medical is addressing a problem that trauma physicians and military medics have been struggling with for decades: capillary compression. Perfusion Medical is developing a drug aimed at treating hemorrhagic shock and other ischemic conditions. PM‑208 is a novel IV therapeutic designed to restore capillary blood flow, resolve ischemia, and protect vital organs. The team has advanced this work with $19 million in Department of Defense funding. He describes the scale of the unmet need, why PM‑208 is both organ- and...
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Betting Big on Innovation in the Desert with BioHealth Las Vegas
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis sits down with Councilman Brian Knudsen, Jamie Schwartz of UNLV, and Vance Farrow from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to spotlight the rapid emergence of Southern Nevada as a rising force in the biohealth landscape. The conversation covers the launch of the $10 million BioHealth Innovation Challenge, the Desert Forge Venture Fund, and the revitalization of BioTech Vegas, all designed to attract industry anchors, fuel early-stage startups, and cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem. They also explore how strong collaboration...
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Maryland’s Economic Vision for BioHealth with Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr.
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Harry Coker, Jr., Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce, joins the podcast to discuss Maryland’s rising momentum as a global biohealth and technology leader. Secretary Coker shares his unique journey from the CIA, NSA, and White House to leading Maryland’s economic development strategy, highlighting the state’s strengths in life sciences, its appeal to global investors, and the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation. Topics include Maryland’s recent recognition as a Top 3 biopharma hub, the...
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Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
Building Maryland’s BioHealth Future: Maryland Commerce’s Stefanie Trop on Growing the Life Sciences Sector In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Stefanie Trop, Ph.D., Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce joins the conversation to discuss Maryland’s position as a leading life sciences hub. Stefanie shares how the Department of Commerce supports company attraction and growth through programs like Global Gateway, and how it’s amplifying the state’s recent #3 biopharma hub ranking. The discussion also explores Maryland’s unique ecosystem, including...
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Inside FNIH: Dr. Stacey Adam on Smarter, Human-Based Research
BioTalk with Rich Bendis
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Stacey Adam, Vice President of Science Partnerships, Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), to discuss how public-private partnerships are advancing scientific innovation. Dr. Adam introduces the mission of FNIH and its unique role in bridging government, industry, and academia to accelerate biomedical progress. She highlights the Validation and Qualification Network (VQN), a new initiative working to overcome barriers to the adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and explains how...
info_outlineIonQ Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform Matthew Keesan joins BioTalk for a clear look at how they are advancing quantum computing from its home base in the BioHealth Capital Region. He shares the story of IonQ’s Maryland roots and explains quantum computing in straightforward terms for listeners seeking a high-level understanding. The conversation moves into why biohealth leaders should track the hardware race, what distinguishes IonQ’s approach, and how quantum is already being paired with AI to strengthen modeling and analysis. Keesan walks through early use cases showing traction today, challenges common myths about timelines, and shares which biohealth applications he expects to gain mainstream momentum by 2030.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.
Matthew Keesan is Vice President and GM of Quantum Platform at IonQ and a member of the BHI Board. He joined IonQ in 2017 to lead the development of the company’s Quantum OS, the software stack that controls IonQ’s quantum computers. In 2021, he oversaw the launch of IonQ’s Harmony systems on Amazon Braket, Microsoft Azure Quantum, and Google Cloud, making IonQ the first quantum hardware provider available across all three hyperscalers. He built IonQ’s security function to meet commercial and government frameworks, including SOC 2, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, and ISO 27001, and established a globally distributed operations team managing IonQ’s fleet of quantum computers across the United States and Europe.
Before joining IonQ, Keesan served as CTO of the restaurant technology company Ando, which was acquired by Uber, and advised startups in manufacturing, e-commerce, and identity-as-a-service. He also helped create the technology behind the interactive HBO series Mosaic with Steven Soderbergh. He holds patents in quantum compilation, hybrid quantum computation, and quantum control automation, and has co-authored papers published in Nature and Physical Review A.