Pictured above: Sarah Dickson, Patricia Hector Hernandez, and Benjamin Shearer reflect on their experience receiving an Infleqtion Graduate Fellowship.
The third cohort of Infleqtion Graduate Fellowship recipients has been named, recognizing four outstanding first-year physics graduate students. This year’s Infleqtion fellows Natalie Bruhwiler, Yun Ma, Joseph McCarty, and Kai Zhou, join a growing list of students receiving the prestigious industry-sponsored fellowship.
Connections to CU Boulder
In 2007, Dana Anderson, professor of physics and JILA fellow, founded Infleqtion (formerly ColdQuanta) based on quantum innovations originating from his lab on campus. Drawing on cutting-edge quantum research, the startup largely focused on utilizing the Bose-Einstein Condensate for quantum computing.
ColdQuanta was rebranded as Infleqtion in 2022, signifying the organization’s turning point to commercializing quantum technologies. From its humble beginnings in Anderson’s lab, Infleqtion has grown to employ over 200 people in six locations worldwide.
Today, Infleqtion focuses on making quantum available everywhere, through scalable devices that allow their technology to expand its reach.
Infleqtion is also a core member of the Elevate Quantum consortium along with CU Boulder. The consortium includes about 120 organizations – from industry to national labs, to educational institutions – working together to make the Mountain West the global center for quantum development.
Industry sponsored fellowships draw top students
As a company that grew out of a research lab at CU Boulder, Infleqtion has long been a part of quantum education and development at the university. The establishment of Infleqtion Graduate Fellowships has deepened their commitment to the recruitment and success of physics graduate students.
"We are incredibly proud to partner with CU Boulder, one of the world’s top Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Programs, to support the development of the next generation of quantum scientists. Our Graduate Fellowships program is a testament to our commitment to fostering talent and innovation in the quantum field," said Infleqtion CEO Matthew Kinsella.
The fellowships are among the highest awards given to entering physics students and help encourage top students to attend CU Boulder.
“Our graduate students are in many ways the engine of our research efforts, so bringing in the best graduate students is an important part of maintaining our top-quality research program,” said Tobin Munsat, professor and chair of physics.
Several Infleqtion fellowship recipients highlighted what it meant to receive the award, and that it ultimately helped them choose CU Boulder.
“Receiving this fellowship was a great honor for me,” said physics graduate student and 2023 Infleqtion fellowship recipient, Patricia Hector Hernandez. “It’s incredibly rewarding when your hard work is acknowledged by others.”
Sarah Dickson was among the first class of Infleqtion fellowship recipients in 2022. She was drawn to the range of hands-on research happening in Boulder. “Coming to Boulder for graduate school was a dream of mine,” she said. “The fellowship allowed me to choose Boulder for graduate school, and for that I am extremely grateful.”
Benjamin Shearer, now a second-year physics graduate student, originally applied to the program because of its top rankings in atomic, molecular, and optical physics. After being awarded the Infleqtion fellowship, Shearer said “it was the deciding factor that led me to choose CU Boulder.”
The fellowship support also helped recipients ease the financial burden of moving to Colorado for graduate school.
“The fellowship provided substantial support, which was especially helpful for my relocation as I was an out-of-state student,” said Hector.
Shearer was also an out-of-state student and said the fellowship supported him in making the move from his home in Pennsylvania to Colorado.
Industry panel highlights opportunities
Part of Infleqtion’s support includes funding for an industry panel and recruitment dinner for prospective physics graduate students. Providing visiting students with an industry panel highlights potential career opportunities and emphasizes the vast range of local connections.
In the past few years, representatives from Infleqtion and other organizations have served on the graduate recruitment industry panel, sharing their stories and tips for pursuing careers in industry.
“The industry panel is something special that we do at CU, and it opens students’ eyes to the world outside of academia,” said Munsat. “The fact is that a large number of physics PhDs end up in the tech industry, sometimes starting their own companies, and we want to give students a window into that world and those opportunities.”
Shearer noted the excellent connections in the area as another reason he chose to attend CU Boulder. After he completes his PhD, Shearer plans to pursue a career in industry or at a national laboratory.
Hector’s main career focus is further pursuing her passion for physics and science. She is leaning towards a career in the private sector, with a particular focus on quantum computing.
Developing future leaders
The need for leading scientists in the quantum industry is growing, particularly as the industry evolves and expands. Colorado’s designation as a Quantum Tech Hub means more students will be needed to lead the industry.
Infleqtion’s support is key in helping to attract and retain top students from around the country and internationally. “These prestigious fellowships help enormously in bringing the best students to CU Boulder,” said Munsat.