November 05, 2025 -- UB today announced the creation of the UB Quantum Institute, a new initiative that will draw upon the university’s research expertise to develop breakthrough innovations that address pressing societal challenges.

Quantum science explores how matter and energy behave at the smallest scales, including atoms and subatomic particles. Because it serves as the foundation for most modern technologies, advancements in quantum science have the potential to revolutionize computing, medicine, materials science and other quantum-related fields that improve national security, economic competitiveness and related objectives.

The institute will unite UB scholars across physics, engineering, materials science, computer science, chemistry and other fields to create a leading-edge hub of innovation and education. These cross-disciplinary teams will engage with industry and government partners.

“As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, it is imperative for UB to stay at the forefront of innovation in the service of the public good,” said A. Scott Weber, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The UB Quantum Institute will serve as a catalyst for future investments, discoveries and innovations, and position the university as a leader in quantum science and technology, which has the potential to accelerate advancements across computing, communications, health diagnostics, sensing, electronics and other fields.”

The institute, which will receive an initial $1 million investment from the university, will leverage UB’s wide-ranging and longstanding expertise in areas such as computation, nanofabrication and advanced instrumentation. It will build upon the university’s international reputation for research that advances semiconductors, sensing and imaging, cybersecurity, optics and other fields.

“The University at Buffalo and Western New York have the talent and vision to lead not only in quantum discovery, but in translating those breakthroughs for societal benefit,” said Venu Govindaraju, senior vice president for research, innovation and economic development. “By connecting quantum science, engineering and artificial intelligence, we are preparing UB to solve the world’s most complex problems and drive economic growth for New York and beyond.”

Sambandamurthy Ganapathy, professor of physics and associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as interim director while a search for a permanent director begins in the coming months.

“The new Quantum Institute will serve as a catalyst for the second quantum revolution — uniting cutting-edge experimentation, deeper theoretical insights and application-driven innovation to spark transformative discoveries and prepare the next generation of quantum leaders,” said Ganapathy, an expert in condensed matter physics. “Our vision is to position the institute as a hub for quantum science and technology while leveraging our strengths within the state and SUNY system to foster collaborations and to create academic programs in quantum science and technology.”

The UB Quantum Institute will strengthen UB’s quantum-related research centers and labs, including the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies and the Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics, and add to the university’s growing research enterprise.

It also builds momentum to UB’s role as key technological innovator in New York State and the nation, including its membership in Empire AI — a more than $500 million public-private initiative to advance AI for the public good — and being the home to Empire AI’s supercomputing center, which is poised to become one of the world’s most powerful academic-based computers.