Joey Pontiff (Phys’26) is taking his physics and political science education to the nation’s capital this summer, working for the Commission on Quantum Primacy — a national initiative focused on supporting U.S. leadership in quantum technologies. The position is hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and places Pontiff at the intersection of science, industry and policy. Right where he wants to be.

Led by Senators Todd Young and Ben Ray Luján, who co-chair the commission, the group brings together influential figures in the quantum realm, including leaders from national laboratories, large technology companies and quantum startups.

Pontiff started this summer as an intern but soon after was offered a full-time role as Associate Director of Future Technology Platforms with a focus on quantum, AI for science, talent and workforce. 

In this role, Pontiff uses his technical background to provide insights and translate technical needs into policy recommendations for the commission. He also helps develop recommendations on building an ecosystem of quantum talent and on innovative applications of quantum technology. 

"It's exciting to see how industry, academia and government all have to work together," says Pontiff. "For quantum to succeed, you need all three."

A Quantum Scholars connection

Pontiff initially landed the internship from a connection made with SCSP through Quantum Scholars, a CU Boulder program that encourages undergraduates to learn more about quantum science and the growing quantum industry. 

He first met Ryan Carpenter, special advisor for SCSP, when Carpenter spoke to the scholars last year. Pontiff continued building on that relationship by attending the AI+ Expo supported by SCSP and staying connected afterward.

Earlier this spring, Pontiff was considering taking a gap year after graduation, but he reached out to Carpenter for advice about the science policy world.

Having completed a political science minor alongside his physics degree, Pontiff says he has always been fascinated by policy. Public service also runs in his family. His great-great-grandfather served in the U.S. Senate and several other relatives have led careers in government. 

As quantum technologies continue to advance, Pontiff sees an increasing need for scientists who can bridge the gap between technical expertise and public policy. 

Soon after interviewing with SCSP, he got the internship offer and quickly made plans to start the summer in Washington, D.C.

Being engaged

One piece of advice Pontiff emphasizes is being engaged in whatever you do.

“I’ve had some of the best experiences and made many wonderful friends from the times I have been most engaged,” he says. 

Initially, he joined Quantum Scholars because he wanted to meet other students and learn more about the field, but Pontiff became a key leader of the program, serving as chair of the student-led executive board over the past year.

Pontiff was a key force behind the program launching social meetings in addition to the regular programming. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Alice and Bob mentoring program and helped organize the Physics and Quantum Research Expo.

“Quantum Scholars has been such a gratifying experience in my college career,” he says. “I’ve built so many connections that I will carry with me.”

Building community in the great outdoors

One of Pontiff’s big takeaways from college has been the importance of building community, and for him, that extended beyond the classroom.

After a difficult start to his college career at the University of Washington, Pontiff transferred to CU Boulder and got involved in many communities across campus. He joined several recreation clubs but soon realized he wanted to meet more people interested in adventure sports. Together with fellow student and former Quantum Scholar Tyler Kivelson, they founded the Big Mountain Club, bringing together adventure-seekers who support each other on achieving their next big goal.

What began as a small group of outdoor enthusiasts has grown into a thriving community of over 200 members connected through GroupMe. The club connects backcountry skiers, climbers, trail runners, mountain bikers, whitewater rafters and other athletes looking to challenge themselves and support each other.

“We wanted to form a community of like-minded people who wanted to push themselves and find their limits,” says Pontiff. 

A life-changing fall

One of the most transformative experiences during Pontiff’s college career came very unexpectedly.

In the summer of 2024, just before the fall semester was set to begin, he suffered a traumatic brain injury during a rock-climbing accident in Clear Creek Canyon. He remembers the feeling of falling and then waking up to a team of EMTs rushing him into an ambulance. The fall fractured several vertebrae and resulted in a subdural hematoma.

His recovery was long and difficult. Pontiff spent weeks sleeping up to 18 hours a day and struggled with vision problems that required special tinted glasses and several hours of eye therapy every day.

Despite the challenge, he decided to stay enrolled instead of stepping away from school. “When something like that happens, it gives you massive clarity on what truly matters in life,” he says.

With the help of meditation and craniosacral therapy, Pontiff continued his studies while recovering.

Earlier this summer, he returned to outdoor climbing and summitted the Second Flatiron in Boulder, marking his first climb since the accident.

“You don’t know how much you enjoy things until you go without them,” says Pontiff. “And you don’t know what you’re capable of until you’ve crawled out of the depths. But I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.”

Chasing the wind and turning into the storm

Looking ahead, Pontiff isn’t certain where his career will take him. Instead of mapping the future out, he’s learning as much as he can, exploring, and listening to what the world tells him. Or as he puts it, “chasing the wind,” a nod to one of his favorite books, The Name of the Wind. 

No matter what lies ahead, his personal philosophy is to face challenges head on.

“When a storm is coming, bison don’t run away from it,” he says. “They turn directly into the storm because they know it’s the fastest way through.”

For students facing challenges, his advice is simple: “If there’s an obstacle in front of you, don’t run from it. Turn into it. Really engage with it. That’s the fastest way to get through it and that’s how you learn the most.”