Purdue University recently played host to the fifth annual Quantum Science Center (QSC) Summer School, which, according to ORNL's news release, had its largest turnout yet. From April 21 through April 25, 2025, experts from various sectors including industry, academia, and national labs congregated at the university's Quantum Science and Engineering Institute (PQSEI) to dive deep into quantum science research.
Featured prominently in the program this year was an introductory session organized by graduate and doctoral students, a response to feedback aiming to offer a more accessible entry point into quantum disciplines. “This session was important because it gave the students attending the summer school a ‘softer’ introduction into these topics,” explained UCLA doctoral candidate and session organizer Olivia Liebman in a statement released by ORNL. Another highlight was the emphasis on forging connections, with Alexandra Boltasseva, QSC workforce development lead, urging attendees to maximize this networking opportunity.
Travis Humble, director of the QSC at ORNL, highlighted the participants' integral role in the advancement of quantum science and technology. He told ORNL, "The most important thing is that you all — as a generation of scientists — are the first generation to have the attention and support necessary to create a next generation of quantum science and technology." The summer school's schedule was packed with speaker sessions and panel discussions, featuring experts affiliated with leading institutions and companies in the quantum field.
In a move to open up the experience beyond the confines of physical attendance, many of the events were also streamed online. "The quantum workforce is shorthanded at the moment with the industry growing rapidly,” explained David Stewart, executive director of the PQSEI, as noted by the ORNL. The events were made available virtually on Purdue's Quantum Coffeehouse Live Stream on YouTube to reach an extended audience. Two poster sessions were also part of the school's program, where top contributions were recognized and showcased before the school's closing.
Such events underscore the pivotal role of collaborations between national laboratories, universities, and industry partners in fostering U.S. innovation and workforce development in the quantum realm. The QSC continues to address challenges in quantum state resilience, controllability, and scalability of quantum technologies. These ongoing initiatives at QSC aim to enhance information processing, explore new phenomena, and improve quantum performance predictions across various technologies, setting a foundation for future breakthroughs in the fast-evolving landscape of quantum science. For more on QSC's efforts, visit qscience.org.
