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Podcast: A quantum leap for Virginia

sholla4 — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:03:48 +0000

Podcast: A quantum leap for Virginia sholla4 Mon, 10/12/2026 - 14:03

Somewhere in Virginia, next summer, there will be a room at 911�� where the only sound will be a low, repetitive hum, sort of like an MRI machine. That sound will be the rhythmic pulse of gas moving through tubes; gas that's meant to keep a machine colder than outer space. Inside that machine is a different approach to computing: A system built to take on the problems our best supercomputers can't even touch.

On this episode of Access to Excellence, President Gregory Washington is joined by TreQ founder and CEO Mandy Birch and director of 911��'s Quantum Science and Engineering Center Patrick Vora to discuss establishing the Virginia Quantum Hub at 911��: an inclusive quantum ecosystem built by public-private partnerships anchored by the first university to own an open-architecture quantum computing system built and operated by TreQ—built for the nation, open to the world..

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911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

ckearney — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:16:20 +0000

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms ckearney Thu, 10/08/2026 - 16:16

Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, communications, and national security. At 911��, faculty are working to ensure students do not have to wait until college to begin imagining themselves as part of that future.

Through a growing series of professional development opportunities, 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is partnering with K-12 educators to make quantum science approachable, relevant, and practical for students.

That work accelerated this summer, when educators participated in a three-day professional learning experience supported by the National Science Foundation-funded Quantum in the Middle initiative and the Booz Allen Foundation’s TechXplore initiative. Led by faculty from 911��’s College of Science and College of Education and Human Development, the program helped teachers explore quantum concepts, consider age-appropriate approaches for their classrooms, and examine how quantum learning can build from elementary school through higher education.

911�� physics professor Jessica Rosenberg talks to area educators at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

“We’re building pathways into quantum and connecting them to the standards and curriculum teachers already use,” said Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and astronomy and QSEC director of education. “We want students to encounter these ideas early, build the knowledge they’ll need over time, and be ready for quantum opportunities when they reach college or pursue quantum-adjacent technical careers.”

Teachers are central to developing that pathway. Summer participants explored classroom activities and were invited to test them with their students, giving 911�� faculty an opportunity to learn directly from educators about what works in real classrooms.

“We’re developing a roadmap educators can use from elementary through high school, but we’re developing it with teachers, not simply for them,” said Nancy Holincheck, associate professor of STEM education and QSEC associate director of education. “Their experience and feedback help us identify activities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students the foundation to see themselves in future quantum careers.”

Teachers try out some experiments at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

That teacher-focused effort continued this fall with Quantum in Your Classroom, a one-day professional development workshop on 911��’s Fairfax Campus. Designed for educators with no previous quantum experience, the workshop introduced quantum concepts and provides classroom resources for grades 6-12. Teachers explored quantum processes through activities including a simple polarization experiment and received curriculum materials adaptable for elementary and secondary classrooms.

Rosenberg and Holincheck want to extend this effort beyond individual workshops or lessons. They envision an educational pathway that allows a student’s first encounter with quantum science to grow into deeper learning, higher education, and ultimately participation in an emerging workforce.

Quantum in Your Classroom gives educators a place to start, while giving 911�� researchers something equally valuable—the perspective of teachers who understand how students learn and can help shape how the quantum workforce journey begins.

By putting teachers at the center of that work, 911�� is helping quantum education reach students where their curiosity begins: in the classroom.

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Twenty 911�� researchers receive 4-VA funding for collaborative research

Katarina Benson — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:11:33 +0000

Twenty 911�� researchers receive 4-VA funding for collaborative research Katarina Benson Thu, 10/08/2026 - 12:11

4-VA@Mason, part of the 4-VA state network, has announced 20 collaborative research awards for 911�� faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year. The selected proposals were chosen from the largest number of submissions received since the program’s inception more than a decade ago.

4-VA is a statewide consortium of nine Virginia higher education institutions that encourages collaboration and relationship-building across the humanities and sciences and provides seed funding for novel research projects. The program provides a foundation that builds on the strengths of each institution, reduces the redundancies of working in silos, and affords opportunities for student experiential research.

Robotics are a vital part of the 4-VA projects this year. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“Our 4-VA program is a wonderful example of how supporting cross-institutional efforts can improve higher education and boost faculty and student research, which benefits our state and beyond,” said Janette Muir, 4-VA@Mason campus coordinator and vice provost for academic affairs.

In addition to 911��, the other members of the 4-VA consortium are Christopher Newport University (CNU), the College of William and Mary (W&M), James Madison University (JMU), Old Dominion University (ODU), Radford University (RU), University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech (VT).

Listed below are 911�� faculty acting as lead principal investigator (PI) for collaborative research grants this cycle and collaborating institutions:

Breana Bayraktar, Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, A Cross-Institutional Study of AI-Influenced Feedback Practices (UVA, JMU, W&M)
Sungsoo Ray Hong, College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), Multi-Robot Video Sensemaking for Urban Missing Person Search in Public Safety Operations (VT)
Emily Ihara, College of Public Health (CPH), Opening Minds Through Art in Virginia (JMU)
Jennifer Salerno, Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), Characterizing the influence of the coral microbiome on coral resilience and restoration potential of American Samoa’s reefs (ODU)
Daniel W. Smith, CEC, Disinfection Byproduct Formation Mechanisms and Toxicity at the Solid-Liquid Interface of Chlorocyanurate Tablets (VT)
Monique van Hoek, College of Science, Breaking Down Silicate Like Sea Sponges: Using Bacteria to Produce a Biocatalyst for Rare Earth Element Extraction (VT)
Allison Ward, College of Education and Human Development, Virginia Coaching Collaborative: Improving Clinical Practicum Experiences for Reading Specialist Candidates (JMU, RU, UVA)
Xuesu Xiao, CEC, Agile, Proactive, and Autonomous First Responder Robots (UVA)

Additionally, partner 4-VA institutions have called on 911�� faculty for their expertise and experience in a wide variety of areas to act as co-PI in research efforts at other schools. These faculty members have received supplemental funding known as complementary grants:

Lab work in action. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Tanvir Arafin, CEC, ANCHOR: Analog–Cyber Sensing for Secure Energy Infrastructure (UVA)
Karen Grace, CPH, Sexual Violence and Reproductive Coercion Among College Students with Disabilities (UVA)
Moinul Hossain, CEC, Machine Learning-Driven Predictive Secure Beamforming for NextG UAV Networks (JMU)
Brittany Johnson-Matthews, CEC, Beyond Chat: Generative User Interfaces (UI) for AI-Guided Developer Onboarding in Large-Scale Codebases (VT)
Mirae Kim, Schar School of Policy and Government, Leading Change Conference 2027: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Leadership Studies (JMU) and Scaling Up Nonprofit Health and Resiliency Assessment in Virginia Funding Proposal (JMU)
Yi-Ching Lee, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Understanding Autistic Adults’ Needs with Executive Functioning Support Apps (UVA)
Cynthia Smith, PEREC, EcoQuests: Reconnecting Youth with Nature through Digital Exploration of Urban Greenspace (VT)
Chaowei Yang, COS, AI-Enabled, Stakeholder-Integrated, Context-Sensitive Data Center Planning Framework (VT)
Ziyu Yao, CEC, Improving Safety in Large Language Model Responses Targeted at Youth (UVA)
Xiaokuan Zhang, CEC, Building Trustworthy Audit Systems via Hardware Security Primitives (UVA)

Additionally, 4-VA@Mason will be supporting an extension of a 2025-26 project:

Quentin Saunders, CEC, Restoring Functional Grasp in Stroke Survivors: A Semi-Autonomous Hand Exoskeleton with Coordinated Thumb-Finger Sequencing (UVA).

“Quentin and his team have made exciting advances in the development of a hand exoskeleton for stroke victims, which has been very well received in testing. However, with just a little more work, they believe the exoskeleton can be expanded for a much broader range of tasks for use in activities of daily living,” Muir said. “It’s just this type of project that 4-VA can bring to life.”

The next cycle of proposals for the academic year 2027-28 will open mid-December 2026 and will be found on the 4-VA@Mason website. Questions can be directed to mason4va@gmu.edu.

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Unlocking value from silicon-rich waste with help from biology

tdonnel — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 17:20:34 +0000

Unlocking value from silicon-rich waste with help from biology tdonnel Mon, 10/05/2026 - 13:20

Mine tailings and other silicon-rich wastes may look like materials with little value left. But locked within their tough mineral structures can be valuable elements and resources that are difficult—and often energy-intensive—to recover.

Mine tailings, one of the silicon-rich waste streams being considered in the project. Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain.

As part of a newly funded National Science Foundation collaborative research project, 911�� researchers are exploring whether nature can offer a different way to unlock those resources.

“Many of these materials still contain valuable resources, but they are locked inside very stable silicate structures,” said Xijin (Emma) Zhang, an assistant professor in 911��’s Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering. "We would like to explore alternative and sustainable ways to break down these materials and recover what is valuable from them."

Silicon is the second most abundant element in Earth’s crust and is a major component of minerals in rocks, mine tailings, concrete, and many industrial materials. Yet breaking down these stable silicate structures can require high temperatures, substantial energy, or highly corrosive chemicals. Zhang and her collaborators are investigating whether biological processes can accomplish some of these transformations under much milder conditions.

Xijin (Emma) Zhang. Photo provided.

The effort brings together researchers from five institutions, including 911��, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the University of Maryland, the University of California San Diego, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. By combining expertise in engineering, biology, geochemistry, and materials science, the researchers hope not only to develop new approaches for processing silicon-rich materials, but also to establish a new interdisciplinary field they call “Si-X TechnoBioGeoChemistry.”

At 911��, Zhang is working with Monique Van Hoek, a professor in the School of Systems Biology in the College of Science, to explore how microorganisms and the molecules they produce interact with silicate minerals. The collaboration brings together biological and engineering perspectives to better understand how natural processes can be harnessed to transform materials that are otherwise difficult to break down.

Monique Van Hoek. Photo: Creative Services, Office of University Branding.

The project builds on Zhang’s years of research in biomineralization. After studying calcium-based biomineralization during her PhD work, Zhang expanded her work to silicon-rich materials while continuing to explore how biological systems can reshape materials in sustainable ways.

The researchers are especially interested in waste streams such as mining residues, demolished concrete, and industrial byproducts. Rather than viewing these materials simply as waste to be managed, the team sees them as potential resources. According to Zhang, these materials often contain valuable elements trapped within strong silicate matrices, while the silicon-rich material itself may also have potential for reuse.

"We can turn these waste resources into useful material, and that can first create new value, and second, reduce some waste and reduce some management cost associated with the waste," she said.

Zhang's lab is developing bio-enabled methods to break down and transform silicate materials under mild conditions. They are investigating how microorganisms, biological molecules, and other nature-inspired processes can replace or complement conventional approaches that rely on extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals.

"We're focusing on how to use sustainable and bio-enabled pathways to break these waste materials down in a low-energy and low carbon–emission way,” Zhang said. “At the same time, we want to understand how we can release valuable components and make the remaining materials useful again."

Silica-based skeletons in glass sponges. Photo: Randolph Femmer/USGS, Public Domain.

The approach could open new pathways for using resources recovered from silicon-rich waste. Silicon-containing materials produced through these processes could potentially be reused in a wide range of applications, including new cement and concrete materials, glass products, electronic technologies, while valuable elements released from the silicate matrix could contribute to the recovery of critical minerals. During the initial two-year phase, researchers will investigate the fundamental biological, chemical, and geological processes that control these transformations and evaluate the feasibility of the overall approach. Those findings will help the team identify the most promising directions for future development.

Beyond the scientific advances, the initiative will provide interdisciplinary training opportunities for graduate students and researchers working across traditional disciplinary boundaries. By bringing together biology, geology, and engineering, Zhang and her collaborators aim to rethink how society extracts value from secondary resources and how materials now considered waste might become resources for the next generation of technologies.

This research supports the Grand Challenge Initiative's goal of building a more climate-resilient society.

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911�� is one of the first 14 institutions to receive Carnegie's new classification for sustainability. Read More >>

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911��'s quantum vision takes center stage during landmark week

ckearney — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 17:05:12 +0000

911��'s quantum vision takes center stage during landmark week ckearney Mon, 09/28/2026 - 13:05

From its Fairfax Campus in Virginia, to Washington, D.C., to the 2026 Quantum World Congress in College Park, Maryland, 911�� spent the week demonstrating how universities can help turn the promise of quantum technology into research, workforce opportunities, infrastructure, partnerships, and economic impact.

The university’s engagement came at a pivotal moment. Quantum World Congress (QWC26), held September 23-25, brought together leaders from science, industry, government, finance, and education to advance quantum technologies from research toward commercialization and real-world application. Cody W. Edwards, dean of 911��’s College of Science, delivered a QWC26 keynote focused on an important question for institutions and regions: Do we wait for quantum’s transformational technology to take shape or do we build the capacity to help shape the ecosystem now for the future.

The answer was clear: 911�� is relying on its strengths to build.

Cody W. Edwards, dean of 911��’s College of Science, delivered a QWC26 keynote. Photo by FiveStar

“Quantum is now,” Edwards told the audience. Rather than trying to predict which quantum technology will ultimately prevail, he stressed that leaders should invest in the people, partnerships, infrastructure, and institutional flexibility needed to respond as the field evolves. He outlined three imperatives: build capacity ahead of the curve; build ecosystems rather than isolated assets; and begin with consequential problems while building solutions with partners.

That ecosystem-building approach was visible throughout the week.

Just ahead of QWC26, 911�� announced plans to establish the Virginia Quantum Hub, (VQH) supported by a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant, pending final award. Designed as an inclusive public-private quantum ecosystem, the VQH combines shared infrastructure, workforce development, and collaborative technology innovation. Its partners span industry, government, regional economic development groups, and education-focused collaborators including Northern Virginia Community College, Marymount University, Virginia Tech, and public schools in Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun County. Check go.gmu.edu/quantum for a current and growing valued partner network listing.

911�� representatives and partners at the 2026 Quantum World Congress. Photo by FiveStar

The Virginia Quantum Hub unveiling builds on another major milestone announced earlier in September: 911��’s partnership with Oxford-based TreQ and Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) to bring a $7.7 million open-architecture quantum computing system to Virginia. Planned for installation in early 2027 and commissioning by late summer, it will be the first open-architecture quantum computing system in Virginia and the National Capital Region and the first U.S. deployment based on TreQ’s Open Architecture Quantum framework.

As Edwards emphasized in his keynote, the significance goes beyond acquiring a computer. “We are not investing in a machine as an endpoint—we are investing in infrastructure as a platform.”

Open architecture gives researchers, students, startups, and established companies opportunities to build, test and integrate technologies while allowing the platform to evolve with processors, software, networking, and other parts of the quantum stack.

Importantly, the strategy puts people alongside technology. 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) connects 24 faculty across seven departments and several colleges, and the university has launched Virginia’s first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering to scale up and reskill the necessary quantum workforce.

911��’s quantum education opportunities were shared earlier in the week, when President Gregory Washington, QSEC Executive Director Patrick Vora and university representatives participated in the Washington Post’s “Building America: Quantum Innovation” program in Washington, D.C., which extended conversations about quantum innovation into the broader national dialogue.

Vora detailed QSEC’s four-tiered educational development focus building on almost a decade of collaboration with local, regional, and nationally renowned educators, academic partners, and industry leaders, “The Virginia Quantum Hub plans to extend the talent pipeline through K-12 programs, community-college partnerships, professional education, internships and hands-on access to quantum infrastructure, all informed by industry’s quantum workforce needs now and in the future.”

Taken together, the week highlighted a consistent message: Quantum leadership will not come from one university, company, government agency or piece of technology. It will come from connecting talent, infrastructure, research, industry, capital, and mission.

As Edwards said: “911�� convenes. Virginia benefits.” And the ambition extends well beyond the commonwealth: “Anchored in Virginia. Built for the nation. Open to the world.”

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After historic sewage spill, 911�� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant

sholla4 — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:59:50 +0000

After historic sewage spill, 911�� researchers monitor for long-term impacts with support from NSF grant sholla4 Thu, 09/24/2026 - 10:59

On January 19, 2026, a sewer line in Montgomery County, Maryland, collapsed. More than 240 million gallons of wastewater overflowed into the Potomac River. It was one of the largest sewage spills in United States history, right in 911��'s backyard.

While a temporary fix to the pipe was completed in March and DC Water continues to actively remediate the area, questions of long-term impact to this distinctive tidal freshwater estuary system linger. The team at 911��'s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC) hopes to find answers.

This summer, seven 911�� researchers received a RAPID grant of $299,886 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how the sewage spill may have impacted water quality, aquatic life, and the overall health of the estuary. Led by co-PIs Amy Fowler, associate professor and interim director of PEREC, and Jennifer Salerno, associate professor of environmental science and policy and faculty fellow at PEREC, the grant team includes environmental science and policy faculty Thomas Reid Nelson, Cindy Smith, and Rosalina Christova, as well as Brittany Hupp, assistant professor of atmospheric, oceanic and earth sciences, and Benoit Van Aken, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

One defining feature of PEREC—and the reason why this team was awarded the NSF grant—is its historical record of Gunston Cove water samples dating back to 1984. That data is invaluable in a project like this, as it gives the researchers points of comparison. And prior to receiving the NSF grant, the team was already taking samples, with support of seed funding from the College of Science, to start tracking the effects of the sewage spill as early as February 2026.

"We have 11 different sampling locations where we sample water quality and organisms each month," said Fowler. Their partners in the Potomac River Keeper Network, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and others are also aiding in sampling along the river.

Water quality monitoring includes standard measures such as temperature, salinity, clarity, and nutrients. The team is including a few additional measures. Checking for traces of PFAS, the chemical used on Teflon pans, is one addition, led by Van Aken. Hupp is monitoring heavy metals.

The team is also utilizing new technology: environmental DNA (eDNA). Macro- and microscopic species leave detectable traces of DNA as they interact with and move through the environment. Through an environmental sample—such as a water sample—researchers can detect the presence of the organism in an area from their DNA and map biodiversity without needing to directly sample or see the organisms themselves, from phytoplankton to fish.

"Typically, if you have big, severe, acute disturbances like this, you'll expect to see reductions in diversity," Salerno said. "So, we're going to test that theory, as well as examine if those changes affect the food web."

Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Funding for the project ends in May 2027, though PEREC's standard water and organismal sampling in Gunston Cove, funded by Fairfax County, will continue to keep building their extensive library of historic data.

A second component of the NSF grant is tying this research into teaching and outreach—a good fit for PEREC, whose key pillars include educational outreach. Findings from this research will be incorporated into the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) program with Fairfax County Public Schools, led by environmental science and policy professor Cindy Smith. The team has also recruited more than 10 graduate, undergraduate, and high school student researchers. They will be trained in sampling, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and science communication, and paired with graduate student mentors for additional support.

"The outcomes of this research could have a significant impact on how organizations prioritize and allocate funding in the future. In addition, the opportunity for students to gain hands-on field and/or laboratory experience through such a high-profile project would be an invaluable professional experience and meaningful addition to their resumes," said Fowler.

Students and alumni sample the waters of Gunston Cove. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Contaminated drinking water reservoirs and disease spread as a result of a large sewage spill in a public water source are, of course, top concerns. But Fowler and Salerno both note the cultural value of the river as well, and the importance of keeping it clean.

"There's been a cultural shift over the past few decades that has increased regional interest in the waterfront," Salerno added. "More and more, people want to use these water systems for recreation, which means there's growing interest in the water being clean and in conserving the ecosystem."

"The Potomac is known as the 'Nation's River' because it flows through the heart of the nation’s capital," said Fowler. "It’s history also played an important role in raising awareness about the nation’s water pollution crisis and the need for stronger protections."

The co-PIs noted that none of this work would be possible without continued collaboration and cooperation amongst the PEREC researchers and faculty.

"This grant is the culmination of years of expertise, effort, and collaboration," said Salerno. "We all specialize in different areas, with unique strengths and research backgrounds. But the river is what brings us together."

Students and alumni collect water samples in Gunston Cove for PEREC researchers. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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Shaping the quantum future in Virginia

ckearney — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:30:25 +0000

Shaping the quantum future in Virginia ckearney Tue, 09/22/2026 - 08:30

With support from a $3.7 million GO Virginia grant, 911�� will establish the Virginia Quantum Hub (VQH) — an inclusive quantum ecosystem, built by public–private partnerships, that generates intellectual property across research and technology, attracts capital investments, trains a highly skilled workforce, and addresses global innovation needs, from health and logistics to national security and energy sectors.

“The Virginia Quantum Hub at 911�� positions the Commonwealth of Virginia at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology that will drive investment and economic opportunity in the decades to come,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “As home to the first open-architecture quantum computing system in the National Capital Region, this is exactly the kind of public–private partnership that keeps Virginia first. The collaboration among higher education, GO Virginia, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and many other critical public and private partners also represents game-changing capacity building for our innovation ecosystem.”

To scale partnerships already underway, 911�� has been approved for the GO Virginia grant, pending final award, to expand K–12 education and employer training programs, technical infrastructure deployment, lab buildout, and collaborative partnership operations.

Washington Post's Mike Dyer with President Gregory Washington and QSEC Executive Director Patrick Vora at "Building America: Quantum Innovation" presented at Washington Post Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

In addition to current research investments, laboratories, and K–12 and higher education programs and training, 911�� partnered with Oxford, England-based TreQ to bring the first open-architecture quantum computing system to the state. TreQ has completed the system design and will deploy and operate the built-to-evolve quantum computing infrastructure, collaborating with 911�� to connect Virginia and the region with companies and innovators across the global quantum technology ecosystem.

“911�� is not waiting for the quantum future — we are building it, responsibly and accessibly, with industry and government. By anchoring the Virginia Quantum Hub here, we are turning the commonwealth’s research strength and our region’s talent into jobs, new businesses, and opportunity for real change and impact,” said 911�� President Gregory Washington. “We are building a quantum ecosystem for the nation, which is open to the world. With the catalytic help from the GO Virginia grant, this is how a public university helps an entire region lead the future.”

With the new VQH, 911�� will organize a fast-moving ecosystem around Northern Virginia’s distinctive combination of assets — federal demand, defense and cybersecurity, cloud and data infrastructure, advanced computing, industry, research universities, and deep technical talent — to help drive the developing future of quantum.

A 911�� physics PhD student uses a microscope to probe nanoelectronic devices. The university launched the first master's degree in quantum science and engineering in the commonwealth earlier this year. Photo by 911��

“This hub provides access to the hardware and advanced research to empower a workforce to fuel the quantum economy,” said College of Science Dean Cody Edwards, who will deliver a keynote at Thursday’s Quantum World Congress. “We start with bold solutions to create a better world for everyone — not a search for quantum-shaped answers. Strong ecosystems don’t depend on any one dominant part; their strength comes from the interactions among talent, infrastructure, capital, research, industry, and government.”

"At the College of Engineering and Computing, quantum is not a single discipline—it is where computing, engineering, and science converge," said Ken Ball, dean of 911��'s College of Engineering and Computing. "Our strength lies in preparing students and researchers to work across that entire continuum, from quantum algorithms and software to the systems and technologies that make quantum computing possible while we prepare our graduates for the workforce of the future."

911�� will work with founding partners and strategic investors — including the VIPC, Connected DMV, TreQ, Leidos, Aliro Quantum, Boeing, Booz Allen, MITRE, IonQ, Marymount University, Northern Virginia Community College, and others to be announced — to deliver on three reinforcing pillars:

Open-architecture quantum hardware and shared infrastructure: Dual-use open infrastructure operated by 911�� — a cryogenic lab, a quantum optics facility, and one of the only TreQ-designed open-architecture quantum computers in the United States — for technology innovation.
World-class quantum workforce programs: A four-tier pipeline including middle school, high school, and community-college partner programs, quantum-related professional education, internships, and a new master’s degree program with hands-on access to the accessible hardware. With 80 to 85% of 911�� graduates staying to work in Virginia and the region, this talent pipeline is positioned to meet the region’s workforce needs both now and as they expand in the future.
Collaborative technology innovation: An industry–government–academia partnership program that builds critical educational programs, drives collaborative technology development, and coordinates the growth of Virginia’s quantum ecosystem.

“The quantum future of the United States requires we empower our citizens, no matter their backgrounds, with the skills needed to lead in the growth of this exciting technology. The VQH accomplishes this by empowering Virginians with a unique hands-on quantum technology training program, de-risking innovation by providing key high-cost infrastructure to the region and working with partners to make Virginia the destination for transformative quantum companies looking to grow,” said Patrick Vora, executive director of 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC).

“The Virginia Quantum Hub gives us an opportunity to move beyond simply accessing cloud-based, black-box quantum computers and instead open the box to study and innovate at deeper layers of the quantum computing stack,” said Weiwen Jiang, QSEC’s codirector. “With open-architecture hardware and shared research infrastructure, our faculty, students, and industry partners can work across the full quantum stack, from applications and software to systems, control, and devices. This kind of infrastructure is essential for training the next generation of quantum engineers and advancing research toward practical quantum applications.”

Several of 911��’s partners weighed in on this opportunity and moment for the state:

“VIPC is proud to be a founding partner and strategic investor in the Virginia Quantum Hub. Built through public–private partnership, VQH will help grow Virginia’s innovation ecosystem by accelerating research commercialization, growing next-generation talent, and catalyzing company attraction and industry investment in the commonwealth,” said VIPC President and CEO Joe Benevento.

“TreQ is grateful for 911��’s trust and partnership in building this foundational infrastructure for Virginia’s quantum ecosystem. This region brings together digital infrastructure, national security, research, talent, and the technology industry in a way few places can. That combination is shaping the frontier of computing,” said TreQ CEO and Founder Mandy Birch.

"The Greater Washington region has the computer infrastructure, the research base, and the security-cleared talent that quantum companies need. The Virginia Quantum Hub adds a critical missing piece: Open hardware companies can test on today, paired with a pipeline that keeps four out of five graduates here. For frontier technology companies deciding where to build and scale, the case for Northern Virginia just got stronger," said George D. Thomas, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

911�� ranks number one in Virginia for innovation, according to 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges. The new Virginia Quantum Hub builds on eight years of investment through 911��'s QSEC, where 24 faculty across seven departments and several colleges have built the university's research and education foundation in quantum.

A priority within 911��’s Grand Challenge Initiative, 911��’s Quantum Leap project is research backed by a new $2.4 million catalyst investment, with six new postdoctoral positions and three new faculty positions.

The university recently launched Virginia's first interdisciplinary master’s degree in quantum science and engineering and signed an MOU with two of Korea's leading quantum organizations, extending the hub's reach to a strong global quantum marketplace.

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Summer campers blast off with interstellar research

sholla4 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:04:30 +0000

Summer campers blast off with interstellar research sholla4 Wed, 09/16/2026 - 10:04

From constructing an artificial star to capturing a 25-year timelapse of a supernova, 911�� is pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration. And our mission into the final frontier brings students along for the ride.

Whether a fourth-grader is getting their first taste of rocketry with bottle rockets or an intern is making cutting-edge discoveries in planetary atmospheres, 911�� summer programming offers a glimpse into the vast universe we call home as students and faculty make small steps towards one giant leap for humankind.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Mason Space Exploration Center Summer Camp

Founded in 2023, the Mason Space Exploration Center (MSEC) is dedicated to providing immersive and educational space experiences for families and inspiring the next generation of space explorers. And one avenue for that is their award-winning MSEC Summer Camp.

With Base Camp for rising fourth- and fifth-graders and Advanced Camp for rising sixth- through ninth-graders, MSEC Summer Camp introduces a range of students to the exciting possibilities of astronomy. Students practice programming with Micro:bit, and learn the importance of asking questions, designing solutions, and working as a team, just like the professionals. They even launch their own rockets—bottle rockets, that is.

"We want students to see and experience the many different fields that work in the space sector," said S Falgiano, deputy observatory director in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. "By giving our campers experience with astronomy, engineering, coding, and other space-related fields, we hope to build their multidisciplinary interest in space exploration."

For these younger campers, MSEC Summer Camp is a chance to see that they can do science without needing to be professional scientists in a laboratory. "They can make observations, ask questions, test theories, and draw conclusions," said Falgiano. And that, at its core, is what science is all about.

Google Space Data Centers Summer Camp

For the 10th- through 12th-graders, the College of Engineering and Computing offers a chance to step into the future of technology. In partnership with Google, the Space Data Centers Summer Camp lets students explore how artificial intelligence (AI), energy systems, and data centers are evolving for space environments.

Throughout the week, campers walk through virtual reality re-creations of nuclear power plants, watch drone demonstrations, and tour data centers to learn key concepts of AI computing, electrical power systems, space environments, thermal management, and other aspects of operating computing infrastructure in space.

"The camp brings together space exploration, AI, energy, computing, and engineering while emphasizing interdisciplinary and industry collaboration," said Liling Huang, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Applying concepts to real-world solutions is a key part of the program. Students were challenged to envision and develop solutions for infrastructure that may be needed for the next generation of space exploration. Camp culminated with a poster presentation and expo where students met with industry experts to share their novel ideas. From this, two students were awarded Google-sponsored research scholarships and were invited to continue their research through Huang's year-long high school Research, Innovation, Spark, and Exploration (RISE) Scholars Program.

Beyond the camp, Google also sponsors the first teen-focused program in the history of the CIGRE Grid of the Future Symposium, organized by the College of Engineering and Computing and hosted by Dominion Energy. The inaugural 2026 Teen Program gives high school students an early opportunity to experience the professional power and energy community, present their research ideas, tour Dominion Energy’s System Operations Center, and connect with industry experts.

"We want students to leave camp willing to ask, 'why not?' and then use engineering and science to determine what it would take to make an ambitious idea possible," said Huang.

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program

For those high schoolers and undergraduates hoping to spend their summers in the lab, the Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) hosted by 911��’s College of Science is a stellar choice.

"There's quite a bit of literature that hands-on research experiences support students' persistence/identity in STEM fields, and we like to think that ASSIP is one key program trying to bring these experiences to as many students as possible," said Amanda Still, director of undergraduate student research initiatives and internships. "The interns’ eager hands to pursue the 'I wonder if...’ ideas of faculty really help to promote new research directions and embody the word 'pioneering.’"

This year, 20 interns were assigned to research or support space-related projects across the College of Engineering and Computing and the College of Science.

In the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science, for example, Associate Professor Edward Oughton oversaw 16 ASSIP students, some of whom worked on projects concerning space weather: a space weather risk assessment for Virginia, refining radar detection strategies for small space weather debris, and the economic impacts of losing GNAA/GPS, Navigation and Timing services due to space weather events.

"It's important to engage these students in space activities because we have so many challenges there to address," said Oughton, "from protecting terrestrial and space-critical infrastructure systems from space weather, to making sure we have the workforce to enable us to go back to the Moon, on to Mars, and then beyond."

"911�� is a pioneering university in this area," said Art Poland, research faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Three ASSIP interns supported his research work on the solar atmosphere, measuring the velocity of gases in hot magnetic loops above the surface of the Sun. "It's an amazing steppingstone for students who want to go into space science or engineering."

Bold Solutions for a Changing World

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Liling Huang

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GCI-Space

Summer Camps

Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Students

Smithsonian-Mason REU helps aspiring conservation scientists find their path

ckearney — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:19:59 +0000

Smithsonian-Mason REU helps aspiring conservation scientists find their path ckearney Tue, 09/08/2026 - 14:19

For Olivia “Liv” Laurie, one of the defining moments of her summer research experience came while holding a baby bird in her hands.

Laurie, a student at Mount Holyoke University, spent 10 weeks this summer working with American kestrels, North America’s smallest raptor, at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) in Front Royal, Virginia. She helped monitor cameras in nearly 70 nest boxes, band kestrel nestlings, and analyze GPS and camera data to better understand how the birds move across the landscape and what prey they bring back to their nests.

“The fieldwork was one of my favorite parts,” she said. “It’s an awe-inspiring experience to be able to hold this raptor that’s so important for our environment.”

Laurie was one of just 10 undergraduates selected from nearly 800 applicants for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation. The students came from around the country to spend the summer immersed in field- and laboratory-based conservation research at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s 3,200-acre campus.

At SMSC, a partnership between 911�� and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute designed to educate the next generation of conservation leaders, students work alongside Smithsonian scientists and conservation practitioners while conducting hands-on research focused on endangered species and biodiversity. 911�� is one of the few universities to partner with the Smithsonian Institution in this way.

For the students, the experience offered something that cannot be easily replicated in a classroom: the chance to find out what doing conservation science actually looks—and feels—like. That was exactly the kind of experience Laurie was looking for. “One of my goals coming into this program was to explore research as a career and see if it was something I was interested in,” she said.

The REU gave her a much broader view of the possibilities. “There are tons of different fields in conservation that I didn’t even know existed before I came here,” she said.

For Laurie, that meant working with Smithsonian researcher Joe Kolowski on a project examining American kestrel movements and feeding behaviors. The findings can help scientists understand how kestrels are using the Virginia landscape—and ultimately provide information that can help protect them.

REU students Maria Cornejo and David Campos worked on reproductive technologies for threatened Przewalski's horses and whooping cranes. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Maria Cornejo, a junior from Penn State, came to the program already thinking about a career as a wildlife veterinarian. She was initially drawn in by the REU’s title, “Saving Endangered Species and Habitats,” and the prospect of working on such projects.

While working with Smithsonian scientist Budhan Pukazhenthi on reproductive technologies for threatened ungulate conservation, Cornejo had the opportunity to interact with the endangered Przewalski's horses. Seeing the Smithsonian’s veterinarians in action brought clarity to Cornejo’s career goals. “It helped me to see this is what I want to do,” she said.

The experience also helped David Campos of Dominican University hone in on possibilities for graduate studies as well as careers. “You get to experience so many different aspects of conservation, and you're exposed to a lot of different lab techniques, scientists, different career paths,” he said. “[The REU was] definitely a fundamental step in trying to figure out what kind of scientist you want to become.”

Campos, who spent his summer working on a cryo-preservation protocol for whooping crane sperm, also found some of the most valuable lessons came when the research didn’t go as expected, and he appreciated having a mentor there—Nucharin Songsasen, head of the Smithsonian’s Center for Species Survival—to guide him.

“There can be the real setbacks when doing research,” he said. “Being with a mentor that's very open to giving suggestions and guidance was essential. I'm really glad that I had that experience now instead of experiencing it by myself on a larger-scale research project.”

These are the kinds of experiences that Elizabeth Freeman, executive director of SMSC and an associate professor in 911��'s School of Integrative Studies, and Anneke DeLuycker, professor of conservation studies, hope the students will take away.

Biology major Valerie Hernandez of Evergreen State University spent the summer exploring nutritional forage quality and tradeoffs in bird-friendly haying. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

This summer was the first of three SMSC will offer with the NSF REU funding, Freeman said, and its organization was reflective of the experiences offered in the semester-away programs that SMSC offers twice a year. SMSC has hosted students from more than 70 universities and colleges at its semester-away programs

“We try to offer a range of project types—lab-based, field-based, some are even computer-based,” said Freeman, who also served as one of the mentors this summer, sharing her African rhino behavioral research with Henry Reinke of Williams College.

The diversity of subjects extended beyond birds and mammals and included reptiles as well as plants and trees.

The REU began in June with a “bootcamp” covering such topics as how to establish a research project, writing a resume, and best practices for conservation success to get the students up to speed quickly. Then, while the students conducted their research, one day a week was devoted to professional development. On those days, DeLuycker offered lessons on the business side of being a scientist—developing an abstract, creating a poster, and communicating research, all working toward the final presentations the students gave before an audience on their last day of the REU.

Those discussions were followed by an afternoon colloquium series where guest speakers from the Smithsonian and affiliated conservation groups came to talk about various case studies in conservation, emphasizing successes and future directions, as well as highlighting emerging or innovative solutions in conservation.

DeLuycker said she was extremely impressed by the quality of the students’ presentations and the REU cohort overall. “Their talks were polished, highly professional, and insightful,” she said. “This group really bonded. It was lovely to see them relying on each other for advice and sharing exciting, fun moments over meals.”

Environmental biology major Charlie Shivers of DePauw University spent the summer studying forests' long-term responses to climate change. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

One of the challenges, Freeman said, was whittling down the 800 quality applicants to 10 recipients. For the final stage of the process, they provided each mentor with 10 to 12 applicants to evaluate. When reviewing the applicants, Freeman said they prioritized candidates who expressed a desire to engage in scientific research, but had limited access to these types of experiences that an R1 research university like 911�� can provide.

911�� alumnus and former Board of Visitors Rector Jimmy Hazel established a scholarship to encourage REU participants to continue their academic experience at SMSC. The James W. Hazel Scholarship will provide $10,000 to each REU participant who enrolls in one of the semester-away programs.

The NSF- REU program helps open doors for emerging scientists—creating opportunities for students to discover the challenges of conservation work and the impact they can have in protecting species and ecosystems around the world.

911�� is one of the first 14 institutions to receive Carnegie's new classification for sustainability. Read More >>

Explore the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

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National Science Foundation

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)

Students