The Quantum Photonics and Quantum Technology (QPAQT) graduate program is getting into its second profitable year, hosted by The University of New Mexico’s Center for High Technology Materials (CHTM). Starting in August 2025, the second cohort of recent college students will be a part of the program, the place they are going to be educated as generalists in quantum know-how. This coaching will equip them with the instruments and educational preparation obligatory for a various vary of purposes in Quantum Science and Technology, shaping the subsequent technology of leaders within the quickly evolving panorama.
“Our program provides unique cross-disciplinary training; our participants come from six graduate programs across UNM, and the trainees have a wide variety of bachelor’s degrees. Much exciting science comes from the ‘borders’ between traditional disciplines, where new ideas and new fields of study can form. Our program supports the development of a broad new workforce for quantum tech,” stated program coordinator Joseph Yelk.
The program began in 2024 and was made potential by a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2023, particularly for the NRT-QL: Quantum Photonics Interdisciplinary Training to Advance Quantum Technologies initiative.
Yelk believes that is proof of UNM’s dedication to advancing quantum analysis and training.
“Our 15 inaugural QPAQT trainees have just started doing their PhD research, working on research projects relevant to quantum technology in the Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Optical Science & Engineering, and Nanoscience & Microsystems Engineering PhD programs. UNM now offers a new Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology administered by the QPAQT program,” Yelk stated.
The CHEM625/ECE595/PHYS500: Quantum Photonics seminar will proceed with two new programs beginning this educational year, a part of QPAQT and the graduate certificates – CHEM573/ECE573: Introduction to Quantum Technology for Chemists and Engineers, and PHYS575/CHEM575/ECE587: Principles and Platforms of Quantum Technology.
As of this fall, the QPAQT program could have 24 collaborating school and greater than 30 Ph.D. college students. The program is anticipated to develop over the subsequent 4 years, as extra college students be a part of and present college students advance.
For the final two years, QPAQT core school have designed and applied the curriculum: Victor Acosta (Physics & Astronomy), Susan Atlas (Chemistry & Chemical Biology), Viktoriia Babicheva (Electrical & Computer Engineering), Gunny Balakrishnan (Electrical & Computer Engineering), Elohim Becerra (Physics & Astronomy), Tara Drake (Physics & Astronomy), Terefe Habteyes (Chemistry & Chemical Biology), Keith Lidke (Physics & Astronomy).