UofM Launches Quantum Information Science Research Program
New research initiative builds expertise, explores real-world applications, and positions the University for emerging state and federal quantum opportunities
Quantum computing may still sound like technology of the future, but universities, governments and businesses are already preparing for the possibilities—and challenges—it could bring. The University of Memphis is taking steps to be part of that future through a new Quantum Information Science Research Program, an initiative designed to build research capacity across the University and better position UofM faculty to pursue emerging state and federal funding opportunities in quantum information science.
Led by Dr. Thomas Stafford, professor and chair of the Department of Management Information Systems, the program is supporting 12 faculty-led projects that explore quantum computing from a distinctly applied perspective. Rather than focusing only on how quantum computers work, researchers are asking what the technology could mean for businesses, cybersecurity, software development, manufacturing, supply chains, and the workforce—and what organizations and communities should be doing now to prepare.
The initiative provides faculty an opportunity to develop early research, build expertise and generate ideas that could grow into larger interdisciplinary projects and external funding proposals as investment in quantum information science continues to expand. For Stafford, whose own project examines quantum solutions for emerging supply chain automation challenges, the program is also about developing a community of researchers who can approach quantum technology from different perspectives.
The projects reflect just how broad those questions can be.
Dr. Denise Devine, visiting assistant professor of teaching, is also looking at organizational preparation through “Organizational Quantum Readiness: A Technology–Organization–Environment Perspective.” Her research explores the technological, organizational, and external factors that may influence whether—and how—organizations prepare for quantum computing.
Other researchers are focusing on specific business and technology applications. Dr. Mark Gillenson, professor of Management Information Systems, is investigating the use of quantum computing in software testing, while Dr. Robert Rose, associate professor of teaching, is exploring quantum computing for manufacturing scheduling and its potential business implications.
Stafford's project, “Quantum Solutions for Emerging Supply Chain Automation Challenges,” examines opportunities to apply quantum approaches to increasingly complex supply chain problems.
The intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence is another area of investigation. Dr. Yafang Li, assistant professor of Management Information Systems, is leading “A Framework for Integrating Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence: Business Applications and Technical Feasibility.” Her project explores where the capabilities of quantum computing and AI may intersect, with a focus on both the potential business applications and the technical feasibility of bringing the two technologies together.
Dr. Hui Hao, assistant professor of Management Information Systems, is approaching that intersection from the perspective of decision-making and control. Her project, “Delegation of Human, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing Control,” examines how responsibilities and decision-making may be distributed among people, AI and quantum computing as these technologies become increasingly interconnected.
Cybersecurity is an especially important component of quantum readiness. While quantum computing could eventually create new capabilities, sufficiently advanced quantum systems could also challenge some of the encryption methods used to protect information today.
Dr. Pavan Mulgund, assistant professor of Management Information Systems, is examining how cybersecurity teams can begin building capabilities before the quantum threat arrives, while Dr. Srikanth Venkatesan, assistant professor of Management Information Systems, is studying quantum readiness and crypto-agility—the ability of organizations to adapt their cryptographic systems as technologies and security requirements change.
Several projects take an even broader view, asking what Memphis, Tennessee and its workforce will need to participate in a future quantum economy.
Dr. Scott Vann, assistant professor of teaching, is developing “Preparing Memphis for the Quantum Economy: A Regional Readiness, Workforce, and Industry Adoption Roadmap,” focused on understanding what the region may need in terms of talent, industry awareness, and technology adoption. Dr. Yajiong “Lucky” Xue, professor, is leading “Preparing Tennessee’s Quantum Computing Workforce: The Tennessee Quantum Workforce Intelligence Platform,” examining the workforce dimension of quantum readiness at the state level. And Dr. Yuan Zhang, assistant professor, is exploring organizational and workforce preparedness through “Building Quantum Business Readiness: Mapping Organizational and Workforce Preparedness for the Emerging Quantum Economy.”
Together, the 12 projects create a starting point for a larger University research portfolio around quantum information science—one that connects technology research with business application, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, workforce development, and regional economic opportunity.
That breadth is important because preparing for quantum is not simply a matter of acquiring a quantum computer. It requires researchers who understand the technology, organizations capable of identifying meaningful applications, cybersecurity professionals preparing for new risks, businesses that understand when and where the technology may matter, and a workforce with the skills to support an evolving industry.
The researchers will bring their work to a broader audience on Nov. 10 during Quantum Ready: Mid-South — Building the Next Technology Economy at the FedEx Institute of Technology. As part of the program, the faculty researchers will deliver a series of lightning talks, providing attendees with brief introductions to their projects and illustrating the range of quantum-related questions being explored at UofM.
The larger Quantum Ready program is designed to bring together higher education, business, government, and technology leaders to build greater understanding of quantum technology and its potential implications for the region. The event will help move the conversation beyond the research community and explore what quantum could mean for industry, workforce development, public-private partnerships, and future economic competitiveness.
For the University, the new research program and Quantum Ready event represent complementary pieces of the same strategy: build research expertise, develop talent, engage industry and government, and create the partnerships necessary to position UofM and the Mid-South to pursue opportunities as quantum technologies advance.
The goal is not to predict exactly when quantum computing will transform a particular industry. It is to ensure that University researchers and the region are developing the knowledge, capabilities, and relationships necessary to participate in—and help shape—the opportunities ahead.
Learn more and register for Quantum Ready: Mid-South — Building the Next Technology Economy »
For more information on the new initiative, contact Stafford at tstaffor@memphis.edu.