Canada’s investments in quantum research drive real-world results
Researchers at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo are doing more than tackling trailblazing theoretical and applied research that expands our understanding of quantum mechanics.
Faculty, postdoctoral researchers and students — from undergraduates to PhD candidates — are showing the powerful possibilities of applied quantum technologies and research commercialization, making a deep and lasting impact on society.
“Canada made quantum information one of its scientific pillars, understanding its importance, making investments for advancements and seeing it as an area of strength. This has moved quantum science and technology from being important to the focus point it is today.”
- Dr. Norbert Lütkenhaus, executive director of IQC and professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
“The power of a physically close community is unique to Waterloo. You’d think that collaboration would be just a ‘nice to have’ but it does change the dynamic of research.”
- Emiliia Dyrenkova, master’s student in Computer Science and Quantum Information.
Alex Maierean, is a part-time PhD student at IQC and co-founder of Phantom Photonics with IQC affiliates Dr. Thomas Jennewein and Dr. Shihan Sajeed. When she joined IQC her vision stretched beyond foundational scientific discovery — she wanted to be a startup founder.
“There is a lot of willingness for commercialization at IQC even though students are very focused and enthusiastic about research,” Maierean says. “Pulling someone away to run a startup is a different kind of challenge but IQC is a place that supports technology commercialization.”
(Banner image left to right Jennewein, Maierean and Sajeed.)