Two professors from the Department of Applied Mathematics, David Del Rey Fernández and Achim Kempf have received a combined total of more than $1 million in research grants from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
David Del Rey Fernández
David Del Rey Fernández, assistant professor of Applied Mathematics, received $538,197 ($632,253 with in-kind) in funding for his project “Efficient and mathematically robust quantum algorithms for linear and nonlinear partial differential equations.”
Del Rey Fernández works on simulation software used in engineering and science. This new project aims to develop quantum algorithms for future simulation software, enabling faster and more powerful simulations than traditional methods.
“It is incredible to receive this level of support not only in terms of money but also in terms of NRC expertise and collaboration,” he says. “This grant is transformative for my research in this area as it will enable me to develop a research group on this topic of sufficient size to make real headway with these problems.”
Del Rey Fernández has been a professor at Waterloo since 2021; prior to joining the university he was a post-doc and then a research scientist for the National Institute of Aerospace working at NASA in the United States.
“I would like to thank Alexandra Krushaar in the Math Innovation Office and Thiam Phouthonephackdy in the Office of Research for their phenomenal support for this application,” Del Rey Fernández says.
Achim Kempf
Achim Kempf, professor of Mathematical Physics, received $496,000 in funding for his project “Quantum error correction and prevention using transformers.”
Kempf’s project involves exploring how machine learning can accelerate the development of quantum technologies, such as large error-corrected quantum computers.
“This grant represents a great opportunity to assemble and work with an amazing team,” Kempf says.
Kempf has been a professor at Waterloo since 2001. He did his undergraduate and PhD degrees in Germany, before completing post-docs at the University of Cambridge and the University of Florida.
“I am grateful to the program director at the NRC, Dr. Phil Kaye, who – when he heard that I am developing this research program – suggested that I apply for this support to make it possible,” Kempf says.
You can learn more about the NRC and see more of their current research on their website.
