AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin teen spent part of his summer studying how smart computers can help cure diseases like COVID-19 and made it to the semifinals of an international competition through that work.

“The way I naturally think is always wanting challenges and always wanting to improve myself,” says Westwood High School 16-year-old Jonathan Franco.

Jonathan says reading the Harry Potter book series sparked his interest in things that seemed magical or otherworldly—themes that found a natural fit in the real world of science.

“I started to look into the way the world works, such as motion. It started making me think of physics theoretically,” he says.

This summer his scientific curiosity led him to enter the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a contest for young people across the world where the winner gets thousands of dollars in scholarship money.

“You are supposed to make the video and make it instructional to all ages. You need to explain a certain topic in science, math, or for this year, any type of science relating to COVID-19,” he explains.

Jonathan picked quantum computing as his topic and explained in his entry how smart computers gather and use information much differently than a conventional computer or laptop you might have at home.

“Mainly the biggest difference between a classical computer and a quantum computer is the way it functions and the way it helps determine information,” he says.

That information, he argues, can lead to major breakthroughs including cures for diseases like COVID-19.

Aside from raising awareness about the benefits of investing in this technology, Jonathan hopes his entry makes a bigger impact for younger kids who are just as curious as he was once.

This year's semifinalists include 30 teens from all around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Korea, India, Indonesia, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Philippines, the U.K. and Venezuela.

Jonathan did not make it to the finalist round this year but a winner will be selected in November.