The University of New Mexico (UNM) has announced the establishment of the Quantum New Mexico Institute (QNM-I), a new research center developed through a collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. The partnership is intended to advance quantum research and innovation in New Mexico.
Over the years, this collaboration has yielded more than 40 physics doctorates who are now contributing to Quantum Information Science (QIS) leadership across the country. The partnership, which spans over a decade, has fostered teamwork and engagement in UNM's Grand Challenges program and collaborative research projects. QNM-I was conceived from a 2021 roadmap and aligns with the National Quantum Initiative Act to strengthen workforce development and economic growth in New Mexico. As part of the Center for Quantum Information and Control (CQuIC), QNM-I supports NQI objectives and offers new fellowship opportunities, including the Sandia Gil Herrera Fellowship. According to a press release by UNM, students stand to benefit from expanded research collaborations with national labs.
"New Mexico’s role in the development of Quantum Information Science (QIS) will be vital to the technology of tomorrow," said Ivan Deutsch, UNM distinguished professor and QNM-I founding director, as per a press release by UNM.
Ellen Fisher, professor and UNM vice president for research, expressed her satisfaction with building on UNM's rich history in QIS. She stated: "We are extremely pleased to create the QNM-I as a truly interdisciplinary and multi-institutional endeavor housed under the auspices of the UNM Office of the Vice President for Research." Fisher went on to say that "the establishment of the QNM-I will undoubtedly solidify UNM’s place as a leader in the second quantum revolution, provide extraordinary experiences for students and postdocs, and create an unparalleled regional ecosystem for QIS," according to another press release by UNM.
Sandia National Laboratories is primarily focused on national security, applying scientific expertise to detect, repel, defeat, or mitigate threats. Operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., it serves as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), according to the about webpage provided by Sandia National Laboratories.
