Congratulations to researchers from the Department of Pure Mathematics and the School of Computer Science, who have received a total of $50,000 in G7 Countries Alliance International Catalyst Quantum G7 grants from the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). These grants are part of the National Quantum Strategy, which aims to “amplify Canada’s significant strengths in quantum research; grow its quantum-ready technologies, companies and talent; and solidify Canada’s global leadership in this area.”
Dr. Michael Brannan, associate professor of pure mathematics
Dr. Michael Brannan, associate professor of pure mathematics, and his co-applicant Dr. William Slofstra, associate member of the Institute for Quantum Computing, received $25,000 for their project “Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Communication.” The project looks at “new mathematical ideas that come up in quantum communications and networking,” they explain. “Quantum networking is one of the major challenges of the current area of quantum research, and one of the key missions in Canada’s National Quantum Strategy.”
The funding will enable Brannan and Slofstra to collaborate extensively with researchers at Saarland University in Germany. “We are delighted to receive this G7 Alliance International Catalyst Quantum Grant,” they say. “We will spark new collaborations between our respective research groups, and make plans to cement deep institutional relationships between IQC and the newly inaugurated Institute for Quantum Technologies at Saarland University.
Dr. Yizhou Zhang, assistant professor of computer science
Dr. Yizhou Zhang, assistant professor of computer science, received $25,000 for his project, “Verified Noise-Aware Quantum Circuit Cutting.”
“It is great to receive NSERC support for research at the intersection of formal verification and quantum computing,” he says. “By providing formal guarantees for quantum circuit compilers, this research will enable quantum algorithms to be executed on quantum hardware with mathematical certainty.”
To learn more about this year’s NSERC funding for quantum research, visit their website.