The University Research Chair award recognizes exceptional achievement and pre-eminence in a particular field of knowledge. Recipients can choose to receive an annual stipend or teaching reduction of one course per year.
Christine Muschik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and member of the Institute for Quantum Computing and Perimeter Institute. She is an expert in the theory of quantum communication and quantum simulation. Her research applies quantum technology to problems in particle physics.
Muschik has developed new computational approaches that get more power out of existing quantum technologies and flow the results into a feedback loop with classical processors, creating increasingly capable hybrid systems. Quantum-classical hybrid computers send information back and forth between these contradictory frameworks, using both to solve problems and run simulations with implications for the aerospace industry, drug discovery, financial services, and many areas of scientific research.
"Time for focused research is one of the most crucial and decisive factors for scientific success, and will allow my group to maintain our cutting edge in a very competitive field,” says Muschik.
Since 2004, Waterloo has granted 123 University Research Chair awards, including this year’s recipients. In addition to Muschik, eight other 2022 University Research Chair were named, including: Dustin Garrick (Environment), Suzan Ilcan (Arts), Monica Maly (Health), William Slofstra (Math), Chaitanya Swamy (Math), Ben Thompson (Science), Evelyn Yim (Engineering) and Aiping Yu (Engineering).
"The University of Waterloo owes much of its reputation and stature to the quality of its professors and their scholarly accomplishments," says the official announcement from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic & Provost.
Congratulations Christine!