Quantum Scholars

CU President Todd Saliman Speaks at Quantum Scholars Meeting

Veronica R Lingo — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 22:37:34 +0000

CU President Todd Saliman Speaks at Quantum Scholars Meeting Veronica R Lingo Wed, 12/11/2024 - 15:37

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Quantum Scholars program draws new sponsors from industry, alums

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:37:55 +0000

Quantum Scholars program draws new sponsors from industry, alums Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/20/2024 - 09:37

Kirsten Apodaca

The Quantum Scholars program has garnered support from several new sponsors, leading to an increase in the number of fellowships available for students this fall. Forty undergraduates will receive a $2,500 fellowship next academic year because of the generous external support.

Earlier this year, SPIE, the society for optics and photonics, committed to matching $100,000 in external gifts to the Quantum Scholars program over the next two years. The substantial commitment from SPIE has spurred action from industry and donors, resulting in a growing list of supporters.

The sponsors include several CU ��«��Ƶ alumni and friends, including Tim Valle (PhDPhys’92) in honor of his late wife Jennifer Turner-Valle (EngPhys’92), Tom Bliska (Phys’77) and his wife Gray Boyce, Joe Mitchell (PhDPhys’87) and his wife Cindy Mitchell, Chris Monroe (PhDPhys’92), and Chris Myatt (PhDPhys’97) and his family.

Chris Myatt commented on his recent commitment, “The physics education at the ��«��Ƶ is top notch and prepared me for the diverse needs as an entrepreneur.” He added “I have hired dozens of graduates into my companies, and I am proud to support the next generation of researchers and innovators.”

William Clark, VP for Quantum Development at Infleqtion, presents to students in the Quantum Scholars program.

Industry partners Infleqtion and Vescent have also committed funds to sponsor the program. Both companies are valued partners and have strong connections to CU ��«��Ƶ.

Infleqtion was originally launched as ColdQuanta in 2007 by Dana Anderson, professor of physics and JILA fellow, based on quantum technologies developed in his lab. The company now focuses on making quantum available everywhere, through scalable devices that allow their technology to expand its reach.

Since its humble beginnings in the Anderson lab, Infleqtion has grown into a worldwide company with a presence in the US, UK, Australia and Japan. “We are ever so proud, though, to have our roots at the ��«��Ƶ,” said Anderson, who now serves as Chief Strategy Officer.

Infleqtion has contributed to the Quantum Scholars program beyond their funding, with several leading scientists and guests giving talks to the scholars. "The university has a history of equipping students to get things done like no other institution I know of – the hands-on education and training here is the best in the world,” said Anderson. “We are pleased to contribute to the tradition through our support of the Quantum Scholars program.”

Scott Davis, CEO and co-founder of Vescent, speaks with students in the Quantum Scholars program.

Vescent was co-founded by Scott Davis (PhDChemPhys’99) in 2002. Based out of Golden, Colorado, Vescent develops and manufactures precision lasers and electro-optic technologies. Davis now serves as CEO and Cofounder of Vescent, and maintains close ties with the university by serving on the Physics Advancement Advisory Committee and through substantial contributions to the Quantum Scholars program.

“Quantum Scholars is second-to-none in providing education and skills for companies like mine, and our customers and partners,” said Davis. He wishes a program like Quantum Scholars existed when he was a student at CU ��«��Ƶ, adding “it’s an incredible program!”

The quantum industry itself has seen a large rise in attention and funding recently, and CU ��«��Ƶ has been at the forefront of significant advances both scientifically and in workforce development.

“As quantum technologies transition from the lab to the field, they are poised to disrupt multiple industries,” said Davis. “Just as CU ��«��Ƶ led the scientific advances decades ago that set the world down this path – through creation of the Bose-Einstein Condensate, frequency combs, and much more – CU is again leading with training the much-needed quantum workforce.”

These generous gifts from alumni, friends and industry partners directly support fellowships for Quantum Scholars, enabling them to dedicate themselves to research and education in the quantum field.

Questions about getting involved in the Quantum Scholars Program as an industry partner or supporter can be directed to Keawe Liu.

The Quantum Scholars program has garnered support from several new sponsors, leading to an increase in the number of fellowships available for students this fall.

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End of year celebration concludes second year of Quantum Scholars

Anonymous — Mon, 06 May 2024 19:27:36 +0000

End of year celebration concludes second year of Quantum Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/06/2024 - 13:27

Kirsten Apodaca

Quantum Scholars hosted an end of year celebration in late April, marking an end to the second year of this highly successful and innovative program. Over 50 students participated in Quantum Scholars this year, with just over half receiving fellowships.

The event featured a distinguished speaker from the quantum industry, an award ceremony for the Quantum Scholars Hackathon, and remarks from program advisors and professors Mike Ritzwoller and Noah Finkelstein. Tobin Munsat, professor and chair of physics, concluded the evening with closing remarks congratulating the scholars on a successful year.

The end of year celebration featured Dr. William Clark, Vice President for Quantum Development at Infleqtion, as a distinguished guest. An alumnus of CU ��«��Ƶ, Dr. Clark completed his doctorate in physics in 1998, specializing in atomic, molecular and optical physics. Dr. Clark’s talk focused on the current state of the quantum industry. He also highlighted the capabilities and scope of Infleqtion, which has an increasingly global presence in the industry.

“It warms my heart to see so many talented students engaged as Quantum Scholars,” said Clark. “They are a great example of what the state of Colorado, and the University of Colorado at ��«��Ƶ are doing to advance the Quantum Industry.”

A student-driven program

Student engagement plays a large role in the program, with students helping to shape the program’s future. “We’re so proud of the Quantum Scholars program, with both the practical experiences and financial support that it has provided to the students,” Munsat said. “And of course, the student scholars themselves have been so impressive, really making the whole program work."

“The students in the Quantum Scholars program are strongly engaged in learning about the quantum field and industry,” said Ritzwoller. “The second year of the program witnessed considerable growth in student interest and participation as well as moving the program into new avenues to support student learning, such as the Quantum Hackathon.”

Over 25 students participated in the Quantum Hackathon this year. Educational materials about quantum computing and the final challenge problems were created by Professors Xun Gao and Oliver DeWolfe. The hackathon took place over four weeks with students grouped into teams of three or four and led by a graduate student advisor. The gold medal was awarded to the team led by physics graduate student Margie Bruff. Two teams were awarded silver medals and five teams received bronze medals.

“Congratulations to all the Quantum Hackathon medal winners,” said Gao. “I hope this hackathon helped students better understand quantum computing, its connection to practical problems, and inspired them to pursue it further.”

Coordinated activities and continued growth

Over the course of the year, Quantum Scholars participants engaged in activities designed to help them learn about the quantum field and industry. Students participated in the Physics and Quantum Career Fair, where they communicated with 26 different employers. They heard talks from leading scientists in the field representing companies that include IonQ and Infleqtion. They also toured labs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and KMLabs.

Graduate student Sasha Novack helps coordinate activities for the program. “It was an absolute pleasure working for the scholars this year,” said Novack. “We had a plethora of speakers, tours and social events (not to mention pizza) which the scholars enjoyed to the fullest.”

Thanks to generous contributions from industry partners, alumni, and external partners, the Quantum Scholars program is expected to grow in the coming years to provide fellowships for up to 50 students per year.

“We are thrilled with the growth of this program and the achievements of these remarkable students,” said Finkelstein. “With the students' continued involvement and the community’s investment in Quantum Scholars, we know that the future of quantum sciences and engineering are in good hands.”

Questions about getting involved in the Quantum Scholars Program as a student, industry partner, or supporter can be directed to Professor Mike Ritzwoller.

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Quantum Scholars cohort tours KMLabs

Anonymous — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:15:52 +0000

Quantum Scholars cohort tours KMLabs Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/03/2024 - 10:15

Veronica Lingo

The quantum industry is growing quickly both locally and nationally as new applications for quantum technology expand, and CU Physics continues to meet the challenges and opportunities for our students through innovative programs like Quantum Scholars.

On April 12, a cohort of Quantum Scholars toured KMLabs, an industry leader in ultrafast laser and X-ray science and an Affiliate of the Quantum Scholars program. KMLabs was founded by Physics Professors and JILA Fellows Henry Kapteyn and Margaret Murnane and began with technologies that were developed at their labs in JILA.

“KMLabs is one of many companies in ��«��Ƶ and Colorado that is developing unique new quantum metrologies for next-generation nano-devices,” Kapteyn said. “KMLabs was happy to host the Quantum Scholars tour so that students can see how quantum technologies enable real-world applications.”

The students visited with Professors Kapteyn and Murnane—along with other leaders at KMLabs—to learn more about the company and to get a tour of the facilities and labs.

“Understanding the many career pathways that physics training enables is very valuable information," Murnane said. “The Quantum Scholars program is a wonderful resource that CU undergraduates can avail of to broaden their career choices.”

When entering the optics tables and research area, every student had to get dolled-up in cleanroom gear: booties, hair nets, and lab coats.

“Most students had never been inside of a cleanroom, so this was special,” Physics Graduate Student and Quantum Scholars Coordinator Sasha Novack said. “Viewing the optics tables and asking questions was also a high point, as students’ curiosities really went wild, and their questions were almost unending.”

Not only did the students tour the labs where technologies were developed, they learned more about the business and administrative aspects of running a company like KMLabs. Preparing for a career in industry means employing lots of different problem-solving skills, and a degree in physics or engineering means these students are uniquely positioned to solve many kinds of problems.

“We greatly appreciate that the leadership and researchers at KM Labs suspended their work to welcome the quantum scholars into their workspace,” Professor Michael Ritzwoller said. “This is the first time the program brought the scholars into a working quantum company. The ability to witness quantum research in an industrial setting is a mind-expanding experience for the quantum scholars, which will help guide their future professional development.”

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Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarships support Quantum Scholars

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:21:06 +0000

Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarships support Quantum Scholars Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/07/2024 - 14:21

Kirsten Apodaca

Five students in the Quantum Scholars program have been awarded a scholarship in honor of Jennifer Turner-Valle, an alumna of CU ��«��Ƶ Physics. The named scholarships are a tribute to Dr. Turner-Valle who passed away in 2023.

Jennifer Turner-Valle earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering physics in 1992. During her studies at CU ��«��Ƶ, she developed a particular interest in optics. Beyond her passion for academics, she was an active member of the marching band, participated in the Society of Physics Students, played on a club ice hockey team, and loved exploring the outdoors.

Dr. Turner-Valle earned her PhD in physics from the University of Arizona, where she studied thin-film optics. Her career path spanned work on space instrumentation as an optical engineer to an aerospace business program manager and strategic development consultant. She was also an Associate Professor at the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences before co-founding and serving as president of Optical Engineering Associates, LLC.

She had an astonishing and wide-ranging career. Her widower, Dr. Tim Valle, said “Jennifer was a remarkable role-model for anyone entering technical fields. She was an extraordinary and powerful strategic thinker.”

A proud member of several professional societies including the Optical Society of America, SPIE, and the American Geophysical Union, Dr. Turner-Valle made valued contributions to support future leaders in the field. “Jennifer always emphasized the importance of mentoring and supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers,” said Dr. Valle. “The Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarships honor her long-standing dedication to helping others succeed.”

In supporting the Quantum Scholars program, the Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarships provide students the opportunity to engage in and learn about the quantum industry. Honoring Dr. Turner-Valle’s legacy, these scholarships are an inspiration to the students receiving them.

Eva Temelkova, a third-year physics major, recognizes the impact of the Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarship through the support it provides to her. “As a member of the Quantum Scholars program, I feel incredibly supported in my academic journey as well as my journey in exploring physics outside of the classroom,” said Temelkova.

Learning about quantum, exploring opportunities, and making connections have been a highlight according to Mariana Vadas-Arendt, a Jennifer Turner-Valle scholarship recipient and second-year computer science major. She said, “I have interacted with professors and companies that I didn’t believe I had the chance to talk to, but Quantum Scholars made that possible. I now have connections with people and companies that inspire me.”

Justin Loring, a third-year physics major, is appreciative for the support this scholarship provides, and he credits the Quantum Scholars program for growing his interest in quantum technology. “I will continue studying applications of quantum in my graduate program with an eye on advancing our ability to leverage quantum tools to solve practical issues,” said Loring.

“We’re so honored to have scholarships named after Jennifer Turner-Valle, a distinguished alumna of our program.” said Tobin Munsat, professor and chair of physics. “She left an indelible legacy and we’re inspired by her commitment to improving inclusion and access for students in science and engineering.”

The Jennifer Turner-Valle Scholarships will initially be used to support students in the Quantum Scholars program with up to five students per year receiving the named scholarships.

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SPIE commits $100,000 in matching funds to grow Quantum Scholars Program

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:09:05 +0000

SPIE commits $100,000 in matching funds to grow Quantum Scholars Program Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/22/2024 - 08:09

Kirsten Apodaca

Generous commitment from SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, supports future growth for CU ��«��Ƶ's Quantum Scholars Program.

The Quantum Scholars Program has received a big boost in the form of a matching gift from SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. SPIE has committed to matching $100,000 in external gifts to the program over the next two academic years. This generous contribution will provide scholarships for up to 20 additional Quantum Scholars each year.

"SPIE believes strongly in the role optics and photonics will play in the future of quantum technologies and shares CU ��«��Ƶ's vision for building a robust quantum infrastructure by encouraging outstanding young physicists and engineers to enter the field,” says Kent Rochford, CEO of SPIE. “We are thrilled to partner with them on their Quantum Scholars program and hope our matching grant will motivate other donors to support this innovative program."

Currently in its second year, the Quantum Scholars Program was created in 2022 through a collaboration between the Department of Physics and the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Quantum Scholars supports undergraduates in physics, engineering and computer science with the aim to advance quantum education and workforce development through professional development, co-curricular activities, and industrial engagement. Scholarship support is a key component of the program to recruit and retain students interested in the quantum industry.

Mike Ritzwoller, Professor of Distinction and former Chair of Physics, helped launch Quantum Scholars and currently serves as a faculty advisor to the program along with Professor Noah Finkelstein. Ritzwoller says “Students have responded to the Quantum Scholars program with incredible enthusiasm. This generous SPIE award provides a great opportunity to sustain and scale the Quantum Scholars program, investing in the future of science and engineering, and most importantly the people committed to this future.”

Keith Molenaar, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, who launched Quantum Scholars with Professor Ritzwoller, says “The Quantum Scholars program is fostering a remarkable community to address the quantum workforce development need.” He adds “We appreciate SPIE’s vision and commitment to this partnership and look forward to expanding the program’s impact.”

A growing demand

Growth in the quantum industry has been extensive in recent years and continues to increase. Additional focus with the recent designation of Colorado as a Quantum Tech Hub has reinforced the critical need for education and training in the quantum field.

Demand for the Quantum Scholars Program is substantial. 50 physics and engineering undergraduates are in the program this year, with approximately half receiving a scholarship. Professor Ritzwoller hopes that with external support the program can be expanded to provide 50 scholarships per year over the next few years. Tobin Munsat, Professor and Chair of Physics, says “We’re so appreciative of SPIE for supporting this terrific program, and helping us to develop the next generation of quantum scientists.”

Expanding program activities

Professional development and industrial engagement activities offered by the Quantum Scholars program include talks from quantum scientists from CU, national labs, and industry as well as tours of national labs and quantum companies. In recent months, leaders from Vescent, IonQ, and Infleqtion have visited the Quantum Scholars to share recent advancements and their perspectives on research, careers, and the quantum industry.

The annual Physics and Quantum Career & Internship Fair extends connections beyond visits to the program to help students explore a career in the quantum industry.

Additional community-building activities have launched from connections made in the program including the Quantum Scholars Quantum Hackathon, which kicked-off in spring 2024. Quantum Scholars Annalise Cabra and Denali Jah have taken on leadership roles in organizing the Quantum Hackathon.

The hackathon spans four weeks with students organized in teams of three or four and paired with a graduate student advisor. Students learn the fundamentals of quantum computing during the first few weeks, then tackle a quantum challenge during the fourth week.

Third-year physics student Annalise Cabra says “Quantum Scholars has been one of my most valuable experiences outside of the classroom. I am eager to see the continued growth of the program, especially during this groundbreaking era of quantum technology development.”

Looking forward

Support for the Quantum Scholars Program enables students to engage in a program that complements the education they receive in the classroom or research lab and propels them as they enter the quantum field in industry or through further education. The generous commitment from SPIE combined with external support will help the program thrive for years to come.

Get involved

Questions about getting involved in the Quantum Scholars Program as a student, industry partner, or supporter can be directed to Professor Mike Ritzwoller.

Contribute to the Quantum Scholars Program

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Quantum Scholars students tour NIST

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 18:14:10 +0000

Quantum Scholars students tour NIST Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 12/10/2023 - 11:14

Students in the Quantum Scholars program toured labs at the NIST ��«��Ƶ campus during fall 2023.

Check out a few photos from the Quantum Scholars Program tour of NIST during fall 2023.

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Quantum Scholars Program Focuses on Quantum Education and Workforce Development - Spring 2023

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 22:57:38 +0000

Quantum Scholars Program Focuses on Quantum Education and Workforce Development - Spring 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/17/2023 - 16:57

This spring, the Department of Physics and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at CU ��«��Ƶ launched the Quantum Scholars program, which serves 53 undergrads who meet monthly to learn about quantum sciences and engineering.

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