Giuseppe E. Santoro
Giuseppe E. Santoro works on quantum systems and optimization at SISSA. He coauthored a 2002 paper on the theory of quantum annealing in an Ising spin glass, comparing classical and quantum search protocols for a defined physical model. In 2020 he coauthored reinforcement-learning-assisted quantum optimization with Matteo Wauters, Emanuele Panizon and Glen Mbeng. That method turns selection of quantum-control parameters into a learning problem. As of October 2026, Santoro is a full professor at SISSA, with interests in nonequilibrium dynamics, annealing and dissipation. His AI connection is specific: using learning algorithms in quantum control and optimization.
- Now at
- International School for Advanced Studies
- Works
- 297
- Citations
- 8,589
- h-index
- 45
Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 14 October 2026.
Timeline
-
2002
Quantum annealing theory
Santoro coauthored the paper with Roman Martonak, Erio Tosatti and Roberto Car. It examines quantum and classical annealing of a two-dimensional Ising spin glass and proposes a theory based on tunneling events. The theory concerns the specified model and protocols.
-
April 2020
Reinforcement learning for quantum control
He coauthored a method in which a reinforcement-learning agent chooses control parameters for the quantum approximate optimization algorithm. The agent uses partial information about the system. The method was tested on Ising chains and transferred from small to larger systems.
-
As of October 2026
SISSA physics research
Santoro is a full professor at SISSA and studies quantum systems outside equilibrium. His work includes slow evolution during annealing and rapid changes, plus dissipative effects.
Sources and credits
Photo: cm.sissa.it; creator not stated. License: Not stated by source. Source: cm.sissa.it. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.