Research Profile

Short Bio

I am a computer scientist researching how quantum computing can be used to address urgent environmental challenges. My work focuses on the intersection of quantum algorithms, climate modeling, and ecological systems — particularly the accelerating extinction of bees and its broader impact on biodiversity and food systems. Since 2019, I have been developing quantum approaches for simulating pollination networks, optimizing conservation strategies, and building predictive models for ecological collapse. I am the research lead at the Environmental Quantum Technology (EQuaT) Institute, based in Cottbus, Germany, where I head the Quantum Ecologies Lab. I also collaborate with environmental scientists, agricultural workers, and indigenous communities to ensure that quantum solutions reflect the realities of those most affected by climate change. I am also a fellow at the Academy for Planetary and Quantum Inquiry.

Research Interests

• Quantum-enhanced climate sensing
• Hybrid quantum–classical algorithms for Earth system models
• Quantum thermodynamics in atmospheric processes
• Remote sensing of aerosols and clouds
• Uncertainty quantification for mitigation planning

Short CV

• 2023–present: Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Quantum Technology (EQuaT) Institute
• 2020–2023: Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Coherent Earth Systems, Cottbus, Germany
• 2015–2020: PhD Researcher, Quantum Materials and Sensing Group
• 2013–2015: Research Engineer, Photonic Sensing Laboratory

Affiliations

• Academy for Planetary and Quantum Inquiry — Quantum Climate Dynamics Unit
• Environmental Quantum Technology (EQuaT) Institute
• Quantum Ecologies Lab

Education

• PhD, Quantum Physics, Institute for Quantum and Planetary Studies, 2020
• MSc, Applied Physics, Northern Archipelago University, 2015
• BSc, Physics and Environmental Science, Coastal Highlands College, 2013

Teaching

• Quantum Sensing for Climate Applications
• Quantum Computing for Earth System Models
• Physics of Climate Mitigation Technologies

Awards

• Early Career Crossfields Award, Pan-Interdisciplinary Science Forum, 2022
• Best Paper Award, Quantum Earth Workshop, 2021
• Fellowship for Emerging Leaders in Climate Physics, 2019

Publications

• McLeod, P., Entangled-Photon Lidar for Aerosol Optical Depth Estimation, Journal of Quantum Climate Systems , 2024.
• McLeod, P., Variational Quantum Solvers for Shallow-Water Dynamics in Hybrid Climate Models, Proceedings of the Symposium on Quantum Earth Analytics , 2023.
• McLeod, P., Quantum Thermodynamic Bounds on Radiative–Convective Equilibrium, Annals of Applied Quantum Physics , 2022.
• McLeod, P., Ngyuen, F. (*joint first authors), Quantum-Inspired Modeling of Pollination Collapse in Temperate Agroecosystems Environmental Quantum Technology Institute Working Papers, 7(3), 117–139, 2021.

Abstract

Aerosol–cloud interactions remain a leading source of uncertainty in climate projections. This work integrates entangled-photon lidar concepts, quantum-enhanced signal processing, and hybrid quantum–classical solvers to constrain aerosol optical properties and their radiative impacts. Using simulated flight campaigns and laboratory prototypes, we evaluate estimator performance in low-photon regimes and assess speed–accuracy trade-offs in inverse modeling for shallow-water dynamics. Results delineate where quantum methods offer practical advantages for Earth observations and identify instrumentation and algorithmic thresholds required for near-term deployment in climate monitoring.