The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) is saddened by the loss of Tom Brzustowksi. He was a great supporter of the institute having served on our Advisory Board since 2006, including as chair from 2006-2014.
Tom's insights stemmed from his diverse experience as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Waterloo’s first Provost and senior positions in the public service, including a deputy minister for the Government of Ontario and the President of NSERC. Tom was a champion for university education, basic science and engineering in Canada. Tom laid out his vision to improve Canadian technological productivity through cooperation between academic, government, and industry in his book The Way Ahead: Meeting Canada's Productivity Challenge.
Although Tom's background was in engineering, he was a fixture at the IQC colloquium series eager to learn about the latest advances in quantum science. Tom was instrumental in setting up the QuantumWorks NSERC-funded Innovation Platform that connected quantum researchers and industry across Canada. We will miss his thoughtful and approachable personality at the institute. We have lost a trusted advisor and a good friend.
Read more about Tom’s life and career in the Daily Bulletin.