CWI researcher Stephanie Wehner has won the 2004 Bakkenist Prize for Computer Science. The award is granted yearly to an exceptional computer science student of a Dutch university. Wehner completed her studies at the University of Amsterdam in June this year with a thesis on quantum computing and privacy.
Her work deals with two cryptographic techniques for privacy protection. Private information retrieval (PIR) allows a user to consult a database without revealing what he is looking for. Using techniques from quantum computing Wehner proved new lower bounds for the amount of communication necessary for 'classical' PIR methods. She also developed a novel quantum protocol for anonymous transmissions. Should quantum channels be widespread, this technique allows a user to send and receive quantum data anonymously.
Wehner performed her research at CWI under the supervision of Ronald de Wolf and Harry Buhrman, of the Quantum Computing and Advanced Systems theme. She received the prize, 10,000 euros and a certificate on November 25.
More information can be found on INS4's website or the Bakkenist Prize website
