2023: A year in review leading quantum strategy in Canada and beyond

Monday, December 18, 2023

As we look forward to 2024, we reflect with gratitude on the achievements that were made at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) in 2023.

As the anchor point of Waterloo’s quantum ecosystem, IQC grew and strengthened connections in the national and global quantum communities. Our experts took the lead in quantum policy discussions and strategies across Canada. In January, Dr. Raymond Laflamme was named co-chair of the National Quantum Strategy's Quantum Advisory Council, and in November, Laflamme chaired the Expert Panel on the Responsible Adoption of Quantum Technologies for the release of the Quantum Potential report.

In April, leaders from Canada’s academic, industry and government sectors took a major step in connecting Canada’s quantum networks at our inaugural conference, Quantum Connections, which we’re looking forward to hosting again in Waterloo May 1-2, 2024.

This year, we welcomed Dr. Graeme Smith as our newest faculty member in the Department of Applied Math and congratulated 42 graduates across five departments at the University of Waterloo.

Our researchers were recognized with national and international awards and grants, including NSERC Quantum Alliance awardsQuantum Horizons awards, and Fellowships to the American Physical Society.

In 2023, IQC continued to be a top destination for quantum research worldwide. We hosted hundreds of visitors for collaborations, tours and more, and our quantum information science and technology education initiatives reached over 12,500 people around the globe.


Top stories of the year

IQC researchers have made significant advances in their respective fields in 2023, earning academic publications, conference talks, and more.

Here are a few highlights:


IQC outreach

IQC is enthusiastic about sharing our knowledge of quantum through our world-class outreach programs. With opportunities available for everyone from young students to high school teachers, we welcomed hundreds of curious minds from countries across the globe in 2023.


Congratulations 2023 IQC graduates

IQC is home to a diverse group of researchers with multidisciplinary backgrounds, joining us from seven different departments across the University of Waterloo campus.  

We wish our 2023 graduates the best for all their future endeavours! 

2023 GRADUATES

Applied Mathematics:

Aditya Jain – PhD (Quantum Information)

Darian McLaren – MMath (Quantum Information)

Maria Preciado Rivas – MMath

Combinatorics and Optimization:

Connor Paul-Paddock – PhD (Quantum Information)

Computer Science:

Abhishek Anand – MMath (Quantum Information)

Xiangzhou Kong – MMath (Quantum Information)

Electrical and Computer Engineering:

Anna Houk – MASc (Quantum Information)

Burak Tekcan – PhD

Bradley Van Kasteren – PhD

Physics (PhD):

Brendan Bramman – PhD (Quantum Information)

Xi Dai – PhD (Quantum Information)

Jack Davis – PhD (Quantum Information)

Kaveh Gharavi – PhD (Quantum Information)

Lane Gunderman – PhD (Quantum Information)

Junan Lin – PhD (Quantum Information)

Pei Jiang Low – PhD

Ramy Tannous – PhD (Quantum Information)

Erickson Tjoa – PhD (Quantum Information)

Shazhou Zhong – PhD (Quantum Information)

Physics (MSc):

Amit Anand – MSc (Quantum Information)

John Burniston – MSc (Quantum Information)

Albie Chan – MSc (Quantum Information)

Margaret Christ – MSc (Quantum Information)

Anthony Chytros – MSc (Quantum Information)

Collin Epstein – MSc (Quantum Information)

Aosheng Gu – MSc

Zachary Hinkle – MSc (Quantum Information)

Omar Hussein – MSc (Quantum Information)

Arsalan Motamedi – MSc (Quantum Information)

Tejas Naik – MSc

Alev Orfi – MSc (Quantum Information)

Everett Patterson – MSc

Mai Sakuragi – MSc

Ilyas Sharif – MSc

Zachery St Pierre – MSc

Jacob Taylor – MSc (Quantum Information)

Devashish Jayant Tupkary – MSc (Quantum Information)

Anthony Vogliano – MSc (Quantum Information)

Wilson Wu – MSc (Quantum Information)

Xiao Yang – MSc

YiDan Zheng – MSc

Cheng Zhu – MSc (Quantum Information)