Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Four IQC faculty members have earned research funding awards from the provincial Ministry of Research and Innovation.
Professors Jonathan Baugh, Andrew Childs, Thomas Jennewein and Adrian Lupascu, whose research interests span theoretical and experimental quantum information processing, are among 21 University of Waterloo faculty members to receive the awards.
The IQC researchers earned “Early Researcher Awards" from the Ontario Research Fund, a project of the provincial Ministry of Research and Innovation.
The funding will enable cutting-edge research programs at the forefront of quantum information science, including:
- Jonathan Baugh’s work in manipulating electron spins for quantum information processing
- Andrew Childs’ investigation of quantum information algorithms
- Thomas Jennewein’s work involving satellite-based quantum communications
- Adrian Lupascu’s work in sensitive detection using superconducting quantum circuits
Early Researcher Awards grant up to $100,000, to be matched by $50,000 from the researcher's institution or a partnering organization, over a period of up to five years. The Ministry of Research Information also provides $40,000 toward indirect costs.
Jennewein’s research into testing and operating quantum photonics devices received an additional $125,000 in funding under the ministry's “Research Infrastructure” program.
“The support provided today is an investment in excellence,” University of Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur said during the Aug. 2 announcement ceremony.
IQC Executive Director Raymond Laflamme says the awards demonstrate the calibre of researchers at IQC, and the importance of their work.
“It’s fantastic that four young IQC faculty members have received these awards,” said Laflamme. “This is another indication that Waterloo has become a magnet for some of the world’s top young scientists, and this funding will help our researchers continue working at the highest international level.”