March 27, 2025 -- Dr. Rick Mukherjee, inaugural director of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Quantum Center, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC)—joining a group of regional leaders focused on advancing quantum research, education and innovation.

His appointment, announced in a CQC press release, marks another milestone in UTC’s rapidly growing presence in the field of quantum technology.

Mukherjee joins fellow new board member Charlie Brock, CEO of CQC, and an existing group of founding board members—including EPB President and CEO David Wade, who serves as board chair; former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker; and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.

“We are delighted to welcome Charlie and Rick to the board,” said Wade, who graduated from UTC in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering management. “Charlie has been instrumental in advancing CQC’s mission, and Dr. Mukherjee brings critical expertise in quantum research and education. Their leadership will help position Chattanooga as a key player in the emerging quantum economy.”

Mukherjee, who began his role as UTC’s Quantum Center director last Dec. 1, leads efforts to expand quantum research, workforce development and industry collaboration.

UTC launched the Quantum Center in 2023, becoming the first university in the U.S. to connect to a commercially available quantum network—created by EPB.

“Quantum technology has the potential to transform industries and open new opportunities for Chattanooga,” Mukherjee said in the CQC announcement. “I’m excited to contribute to CQC’s mission and strengthen the connection between UTC’s quantum research and the broader ecosystem.”

Mukherjee holds graduate degrees from the University of Cambridge in England, Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany, and the Max Planck Institute for Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, Germany. His previous research appointments included stints at Harvard University, Rice University, Imperial College London and the University of Hamburg in Germany.

The Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative was established to help prepare the region for the commercialization and use of quantum technology. Through partnerships across academia, government and private industry, the organization supports quantum education, workforce development and regional innovation.