Marco Pistoia

Marco Pistoia, Ph.D., is a globally recognized expert in quantum computing and currently serves as CEO of IonQ Italia and Global Head of Special Projects at IonQ, where he leads strategic initiatives spanning quantum computing for finance and quantum cryptography. In this role, he is spearheading the expansion of IonQ’s presence in Europe and working to position Italy as a central hub in the emerging European quantum ecosystem. Before joining IonQ, Dr. Pistoia was Managing Director, Head of Global Technology Applied Research, and Global Head of Quantum Computing and Quantum Cryptography at JPMorgan Chase, where he founded and led one of the world’s largest industrial quantum research teams. His work focused on the development of quantum algorithms for finance and the advancement of quantum-secured communications and networking technologies. Earlier in his career, he spent 24 years at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where he held several senior technical leadership roles and became Distinguished Research Staff Member and the Global Head of Quantum Algorithms and Applications. Dr. Pistoia holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from New York University and is the inventor on more than 700 patents. He has authored numerous scientific publications (including 14 articles published in the Nature portfolio of journals, including Nature itself) and books, and is a frequent speaker on the transformative impact of quantum technologies across industry, academia, and government.