The Quantum World Congress (QWC), the first gathering of its kind, brought the world’s quantum ecosystem to Washington D.C. on November 29 – December 1st, 2022. The Congress brought together researchers, innovators, technology developers, legislators, industry experts, and students together to accelerate the value of the growing quantum industry.
George Mason University was the only university representing Virginia at QWC. The Provost Transdisciplinary Quantum Science & Engineering Center (QSEC) galvanized faculty and students to make a strong showing and enrich the program of QWC.
Mason’s presence at QWC was evident throughout the program. QSEC faculty members led many workshops and panels. On the first day of the Congress, Dr. Jessica Rosenberg, Associate Professor in the College of Science and QSEC’s Education Director, and Dr. Nancy Hollincheck, Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Human Development and Associate Education Director, brought quantum to the classroom. Rosenberg and Hollincheck hosted a boot camp to provide K-12 teachers with an overview of what quantum is, why it is important, and where to find resources to integrate it into classrooms
November 30 was a busy day for the Mason team. Dr. Andre Marshall, George Mason University Vice President for Research, Innovation Impact moderated a panel discussion on Pathways & Challenges to Commercialization of Quantum. Rosenberg moderated a panel discussion on K-14 quantum education. Panelists included Dr. Emily Edwards of the National Q-12 Education Partnership, Alexandra Fuentes of Fairfax County Public Schools, and Dr. Marilyn Hamilton of the University of the District of Columbia Community College. The report produced by this is available here.
Dr. Jesse Kirkpatrick, Acting Director of George Mason University Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy represented Mason at the Quantum Ethics & Policy Center White Paper Release panel. Dr. Patrick Vora, Associate Professor in the College of Science and QSEC Director, moderated a panel discussion on Quantum Materials: State of the Domain. Panelists included Dr. Tomasz Durakiewicz, Program Director in the Division of Mathematics Sciences at the National Sciences Foundation, Dr. Joseph Hagmann, quantum material physicist at MITRE, and Dr. Johnpierre Paglione of the University of Maryland’s Quantum Materials Center. Many activities populated the last day of the Congress. Dr. Jamil Jaffer, Assistant Professor of Law and Founder and Executive Director of the National Security Institute National Security Institute at George Mason University, moderated panel discussion on Quantum Cryptography: Defending the Future. Vora closed the day leading the Quantum Sensing and Materials Roadmap to Value Workshop.
Mason’s presence at QWC was substantial. Organized and overseen by Dr. Fangyu Cao, QSEC Assistant Director of Research Operations, Mason’s booth was always alive and attractive to attendees. Fifteen QSEC faculty and their students, alongside with Dr. Amarda Shehu, Associate Vice President of Research for the Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA) and Professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, and Dr. Kammy Sanghera, Executive Director of IDIA and Professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, attended Mason’s booth during the 3-day congress. Visitors from industry and regional developments show significant interest in research collaborations on joint grant applications and shared facilities, full time and part time degree programs, and internship and workforce development opportunities.
Figure 1. Left to right: Dr. Fei Wang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Weiwen Jiang, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Dr. Maria Emelianeko, Professor and Department Chair of the Mathematical Sciences
Mason’s leading in quantum in Virginia was evident at QWC. QSEC has been galvanizing a community of faculty, researchers, and students around quantum science and engineering, and has been seminal in shaping Mason’s portfolio in quantum research, education, and workforce development. Indeed, it has been a busy few years for QSEC. Just in Summer 2022, QSEC launched its Pathway to Quantum Summer Immersion Program, providing paid internship opportunities to selected high school students around the Greater Washington region. Students also participated in a week-long job shadowing opportunity to learn about quantum and STEM-related careers with universities and industry. Some of these students and their experiences were showcased in the Education Gallery at QWC, covering a variety of topics, such as quantum materials, quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communication.
Dr. Patrick Vora presenting to the French delegation
Mason’s portfolio on quantum research, education, and development is already attracting attention across the Atlantic. After the conclusion of QWC, a French delegation of quantum technological companies and agencies visited Mason Square. Dr. Andre Marshall gave an introduction of Mason research, followed by a summary of QSEC’s activities on quantum research and workforce development by Dr. Patrick Vora. The delegation then toured the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, learned about the upcoming Fuse Building at Mason Square, and discussed further collaboration opportunities.
It is indeed an exciting time for quantum at Mason. On behalf of the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, we thank the faculty, researchers, staff, and students, for the strong showing of Quantum@Mason at QWC and are excited to see Mason lead in quantum in Virginia.
The Quantum World Congress (QWC), the first gathering of its kind, brought the world’s quantum ecosystem to Washington D.C. on November 29 – December 1st, 2022. The Congress brought together researchers, innovators, technology developers, legislators, industry experts, and students together to accelerate the value of the growing quantum industry.
George Mason University was the only university representing Virginia at QWC. The Provost Transdisciplinary Quantum Science & Engineering Center (QSEC) galvanized faculty and students to make a strong showing and enrich the program of QWC.
Mason’s presence at QWC was evident throughoutthe program. QSEC faculty members led many workshops and panels. On the first day of theCongress, Dr. Jessica Rosenberg, Associate Professor in the College of Science and QSEC’s Education Director, and Dr. Nancy Hollincheck, Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Human Development and Associate Education Director, brought quantum to the classroom.Rosenberg and Hollincheck hosted a bootcamp to provide K-12 teachers with an overview of what quantum is, why it is important, and where to find resources to integrated it into classrooms.
November 30 was a busy day for the Mason team. Dr. Andre Marshall, George Mason University Vice President for Research, Innovation Impact moderated a panel discussion on Pathways & Challenges to Commercialization of Quantum. Rosenberg moderated a panel discussion on K-14 quantum education. Panelists included Dr. Emily Edwards of the National Q-12 Education Partnership, Alexandra Fuentes of Fairfax County Public Schools, and Dr. Marilyn Hamilton of the University of the District of Columbia Community College. The report produced by this is available here.
Dr. Jesse Kirkpatrick, Acting Director of George Mason University Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy represented Mason at the Quantum Ethics & Policy Center White Paper Release panel. Dr. Patrick Vora, Associate Professor in the College of Science and QSEC Director, moderated a panel discussion on Quantum Materials: State of the Domain. Panelists included Dr. Tomasz Durakiewicz, Program Director in the Division of Mathematics Sciences at the National Sciences Foundation, Dr. Joseph Hagmann, quantum material physicist at MITRE, and Dr. Johnpierre Paglione of the University of Maryland’s Quantum Materials Center. Many activities populated the last day of the Congress. Dr. Jamil Jaffer, Assistant Professor of Law and Founder and Executive Director of the National Security Institute National Security Institute at George Mason University, moderated panel discussion on Quantum Cryptography: Defending the Future. Vora closed the day leading the Quantum Sensing and Materials Roadmap to Value Workshop.
Mason’s presence at QWC was substantial. Organized and overseen by Dr. Fangyu Cao, QSEC Assistant Director of Research Operations, Mason’s booth was always alive and attractive to attendees. Fifteen QSEC faculty and their students, alongside with Dr. Amarda Shehu, Associate Vice President of Research for the Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA) and Professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, and Dr. Kammy Sanghera, Executive Director of IDIA and Professor in the College of Engineering and Computing, attended Mason’s booth during the 3-day congress. Visitors from industry and regional developments show significant interest in research collaborations on joint grant applications and shared facilities, full time and part time degree programs, and internship and workforce development opportunities.
Left to right: Dr. Fei Wang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Weiwen Jiang, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Dr. Maria Emelianeko, Professor and Department Chair of the Mathematical Sciences
Mason’s leading in quantum in Virginia was evident at QWC. QSEC has been galvanizing a community of faculty, researchers, and students around quantum science and engineering, and has been seminal in shaping Mason’s portfolio in quantum research, education, and workforce development. Indeed, it has been a busy few years for QSEC. Just in Summer 2022, QSEC launched its Pathway to Quantum Summer Immersion Program, providing paid internship opportunities to selected high school students around the Greater Washington region. Students also participated in a week-long job shadowing opportunity to learn about quantum and STEM-related careers with universities and industry. Some of these students and their experiences were showcased in the Education Gallery at QWC, covering a variety of topics, such as quantum materials, quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum communication.
Dr. Patrick Vora presenting to the French delegation
Mason’s portfolio on quantum research, education, and development is already attracting attention across the Atlantic. After the conclusion of QWC, a French delegation of quantum technological companies and agencies visited Mason Square. Dr. Andre Marshall gave an introduction of Mason research, followed by a summary of QSEC’s activities on quantum research and workforce development by Dr. Patrick Vora. The delegation then toured the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, learned about the upcoming Fuse Building at Mason Square, and discussed further collaboration opportunities.
It is indeed an exciting time for quantum at Mason. On behalf of the Institute for Digital InnovAtion, we thank the faculty, researchers, staff, and students, for the strong showing of Quantum@Mason at QWC and are excited to see Mason lead in quantum in Virginia.
