Pursuing the untold potentials of quantum science
$25M initiative drives world-class quantum research at Alberta universities.
Quantum Horizons Alberta (QHA) is a new $25-million Alberta-wide initiative to expand our foundational knowledge of quantum science and pursue transformational research into the potentials of quantum physics.
Initiated by a $12-million gift from a group of visionary donors, QHA will grow Alberta’s considerable capacity in quantum research through a partnership with the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge.
World-class quantum research, right here in Alberta
Alberta is already home to quantum research and innovation excellence and, in partnership with industry, a quantum innovation hub dedicated to growing the quantum tech sector in the province.
Funding through Quantum Horizons Alberta will expand this ecosystem by building capacity in foundational quantum science, on which we can base new far-reaching applications. QHA will attract top-tier researchers to the province and train the next generation of scientists, ensuring the continued advancement of quantum science.
QHA is an investment in Alberta’s future that will lead to paradigm-shifting breakthroughs that enable a long-term and sustainable path for Alberta’s leadership in this space with impact that will reach far beyond the province.
What is quantum science?
Quantum science studies the properties and behaviours of the very small or very cold building blocks of the universe, exploring the world beyond what we perceive around us — where the rules of classical physics do not apply. From creating Bose-Einstein condensates at the lowest temperatures in the universe, to understanding the mysteries of spooky action at a distance with subatomic particles, quantum is the field of novel discovery.
While there are practical applications today, such as medical imaging, lasers, electron microscopes, and new approaches to computing power and cybersecurity, dedicated foundational science is required to extend the horizons of knowledge in the quantum realm and open untold and unpredictable possibilities.
Quantum Horizons Alberta will bring together world-class scientists to deepen our understanding of quantum science.
QHA Leadership
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Dennis Salahub
Interim Director, University of Calgary node
Dennis Salahub is a Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus at the University of Calgary whose research is focused on theoretical and computational quantum chemistry, especially in the theory and applications of Density Functional Theory. From 2002-2007, he was Vice-President (Research and International) at the University of Calgary. Prior to joining the University of Calgary, Dennis served as the Director General of the Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa from 1999 -2002 and from 1976-1999, he was a Professor of Chemistry at the Université de Montréal. Dennis completed his B.Sc. at the University of Alberta and his PhD at the Université de Montréal. In 1998 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and in 2006 he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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Joseph Maciejko
Interim Director, University of Alberta node
Joseph Maciejko is a condensed matter theorist working on the physics of exotic quantum states of matter. Joseph earned a BSc in Engineering Physics from l'École Polytechnique de Montréal in 2004, an MSc in Physics from McGill University in 2006, and a PhD in Physics from Stanford University in 2011. Joseph was then a Simons Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science before joining the University of Alberta where he is now Associate Professor of Physics and the Tier-II Canada Research Chair in Condensed Matter Theory.
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Saurya Das
Director, QHA Lethbridge node
Saurya completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics in 1998 at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, India. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Gravitational Physics and Geometry at Pennsylvania State University, the University of Winnipeg, and the University of New Brunswick (1998-2003). He joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Lethbridge, as an Assistant Professor in 2003, where he has been an Full Professor since 2013. Saurya's research interests include classical and quantum cosmology and general relativity, quantum foundations and quantum information. He is a founding member of Quantum Alberta and a member of international collaborations including the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer.
Current Open Positions
Tenure-Track Positions in Artificial Intelligence Applied to Science, Healthcare, or Society - Edmonton
University of Alberta
Director, Quantum Horizons Alberta - Calgary
University of Calgary
Director, Quantum Horizons Alberta - Edmonton
University of Alberta
Research Chair: Quantum Horizons Alberta - Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
Meet the Donors
“Quantum science is an increasingly critical area of study around the world and we have the opportunity to establish our province as a key source of research and discoveries in a field which promises to be transformational to the human condition.”
— Richard Bird
“We have a milieu of magical ingredients in Alberta that make us a special place for investment and doing very big things. Alberta has the talent and experience, and the right mindset. And, very notably, we have a tolerance for risk-taking.”
— Joanne Cuthbertson
“We seldom look out at the stars and wonder what is going on out there, or consider the particles that make up everything around us. That’s what quantum physics research is all about. That’s what QHA will take to a new level in Alberta.”
— Patrick Daniel
“We may not know where the discoveries are going to come from, but we do know it's going to be exciting when we discover new solutions to the world’s unanswered curiosities.”
— Guy Turcotte
Campus news
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UCalgary: $25-million Quantum Horizons Alberta establishes world-class research network in Alberta
Donor-supported initiative leverages research excellence at Universities of Calgary, Alberta and Lethbridge
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UAlberta: New $25M network set to expand horizons for fundamental quantum research in Alberta
Donor-supported provincewide network will harness leading expertise across three universities to create a globally recognized research hub
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ULethbridge joining provincial partners to form Quantum Horizons Alberta research network
The new $25-million Alberta-wide initiative includes the Universities of Lethbridge, Alberta and Calgary
Expanding Canada’s quantum ecosystem
A message from Rob Myers, Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Quantum research in Alberta
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![Calgary Foundation's Spur Magazine featuring Richard Bird]()
Pursuing the untold potential of quantum science
The Quantum Foundations Research Fund brings transformational research to Alberta. Featuring Richard Bird. (pages 14 - 15)
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![illustration of theoretical quantum science by Myriam Wares]()
It starts with an idea
Everything we make or build begin as a thought in someone’s head. Theoretical quantum science is no exception. This field has the potential to change how we live our lives.
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![UCalgary's Quantum Cloud Lab, led by Daniel Oblak, pioneers tech for linking distant quantum devices.]()
UCalgary celebrates 25 years of quantum physics
From foundational research to developing novel technologies, quantum physics at UCalgary has been growing and thriving for the past quarter of a century.
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Quantum science is Canada’s next best investment
(Subscriber Content)
Quantum science underpins all other science, and yet, most people don’t know that much about it – including scientists. The unusual properties and behaviours of the tiniest components of the universe are still full of mystery and enormous potential. -
![The building blocks of quantum research]()
The building blocks of quantum research
A new donor-supported network in Alberta will help lay the theoretical foundations for a technological revolution on the horizon.
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Beam me up Scotty! Researchers teleport particle of light
UCalgary researchers set a record in 2016 with the successful teleportation of a photon over a six-kilometre distance using the City of Calgary’s fibre optic cable infrastructure.
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University of Lethbridge’s Quantum Alberta researchers pushing towards a second quantum revolution
ULethbridge researchers are on the cutting edge of quantum technology, an emerging field of physics and engineering that relies on the principles of quantum physics.
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Building better quantum networks
New project harnesses expertise from across Canada to explore how quantum computers establish connections and send information over long distances.
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Nano-fabrication foundry will advance quantum network devices
UCalgary is building a nano-fabrication foundry to manufacture diamond optomechanical devices – too small to be visible to the human eye – which will enable quantum memory and networking.
