Cohort 2025 - Chain Reaction Innovations

Nathan Arnold

Nathan Arnold is the co-founder and CEO of Photon Queue, an Illinois-based quantum hardware company specializing in free-space quantum memory technologies. Arnold, who holds a Ph.D. the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has experimental expertise in quantum optical systems. He honed diverse skills through more than 5 years of work at Sandia National Laboratories. Having spent his graduate studies developing Photon Queue’s core technology, Arnold is the foremost expert on this technology and leads the company’s efforts in design, applications, and commercialization. Beyond his technical contributions, he is committed to advancing quantum technologies for societal benefit while balancing a fulfilling family life.

PHOTON QUEUE

Ryan Cardiff

Ryan Cardiff holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering Ph.D. from the University of Washington. Before UW, he studied at Stanford and worked at a climate-biotech startup. He is an inventor on three patents and an author on eight publications related to carbon-conserving metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. He has worked closely with several DOE National Laboratories throughout his Ph.D. on projects funded through BETO, BER, ABF, and ARPA-E programs. His company, C1 Bio, has participated in several startup programs including Nucleate Activator, NSF I-Corps, UW Gap Fund, and the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, where they won the Climate Impact Award.

C1 BIO

Brandon Grinkemeyer

Brandon Grinkemeyer earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University, where his research with the Lukin group focused on developing photonic interfaces for neutral atom quantum systems. Grinkemeyer’s work has led to significant contributions in atomic physics, quantum optics, and quantum information, including a recently submitted paper demonstrating a photonic interface for neutral atoms and collaborations on state-of-the-art methods for fabricating high-finesse optical cavities with the Loncar and Yang labs. He has also co-authored a proposal for modular quantum computing with the Vuletic group. Grinkemeyer is passionate about advancing quantum technologies and fostering collaborations that bridge fundamental science with practical innovations.

CAVILINQ

Kyle Matthews

Kyle Matthews is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of MXene Inc. and a leading innovator in the scalable production of MXenes, a groundbreaking class of 2D nanomaterials. With over four years of experience developing MXene technologies during his Ph.D. studies at Drexel University, Matthews led advancements that enable high-quality, large-scale synthesis of MXenes. His work has already secured major defense sector partnerships and commercial/exclusive IP rights, positioning MXene Inc. as a leader in advanced materials innovation. Matthews is passionate about bridging the gap between research and commercialization, driving transformative solutions that address critical industry challenges and foster innovation.

MXENE, INC.

Moha Shahjamali

Moha Shahjamali is Co-founder and CEO of HidrogeniCs, where he is working to develop a revolutionary technology to produce clean hydrogen and value-added carbon materials (graphene, carbon nanotubes and synthetic graphite). Shahjamali has spent the last 20 years tackling challenges in energy-related topics including catalytic hydrogen generation as well as energy storage topics like advanced graphitic nanocomposites for Li-ion battery anodes. Shahjamali worked on nanomaterials for energy applications at Harvard University and Northwestern university as a senior postdoctoral fellow (2013-2020) and holds a Ph.D. degree with honors in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

HIDROGENICS