Stony Brook University Leads the Way During International Year of Quantum
As the world marks the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics, Stony Brook University is stepping into the spotlight.
Declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) by the United Nations, 2025 is designated as an opportunity to deepen public understanding and accelerate breakthroughs, a mission Stony Brook is helping lead through major research initiatives, workforce development and community education.
“New York has the most advanced regional quantum network in the U.S. with the New York State Quantum Internet Testbed,” said Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, SUNY senior vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development. “This idea already garnered one of eight National Science Foundation Quantum Virtual Labs that is headed by Stony Brook, and is connecting Stony Brook to Yale, and to Columbia and Brookhaven National Lab.”
The Quantum Virtual Laboratory (QVL) is one of the university’s signature initiatives and is an example of the kind of national leadership Stony Brook is taking in the field. Funded by the NSF ExpandQISE program and led by SBU’s Institute for Advanced Computational Science (IACS), the QVL brings together institutions and researchers across the Northeast to collaboratively explore and test emerging quantum technologies in real-world virtual environments by implementing a 10-node quantum network connecting state of the art laboratories at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Columbia University and Yale University, creating the Stony Brook-Columbia-Yale Quantum Network (SCY-QNet).
Quantum communication and computing are set to transform industries ranging from cybersecurity to healthcare. And with national and state-level momentum accelerating — including the establishment of the New York State Quantum Network and the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance — Stony Brook plays a growing role in the expanding network of quantum infrastructure.
To mark IYQ, Stony Brook will host a range of events designed to educate, engage and inspire. On June 28, the university will welcome educators for the Year of Quantum Educational Leadership Conference, a one-day event focused on strategies for incorporating quantum topics into middle and high school STEM teaching.
Later that week, Stony Brook will offer hands-on learning for high school students through its Quantum Information Science & Technology (QIST) Camp, running June 30 through July 3. Participants will explore quantum algorithms, cryptography and other core concepts through interactive labs and simulations.
High school students will also have the chance to explore quantum ideas beyond campus. From August 18–22, Stony Brook faculty will co-lead the QIST Summer Program at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, making cutting-edge concepts accessible through demonstrations and experiments designed for high school students.
For students who can’t attend in person, a virtual option is also available. From July 28–31, BNL and Virginia Tech will co-host the Introduction to Quantum Information Science and Engineering Summer School, an online program offering an introduction to quantum fundamentals, computing and careers in the field.
Stony Brook’s commitment to quantum education was also evident at the Quantum Education for Students and Teachers (QUEST) Conference in March, which brought hundreds of K–12 educators to campus to explore how to prepare students for careers in quantum information science. Through panels and keynote addresses, attendees explored and discussed the future of the quantum workforce and how to ensure students from all backgrounds are represented in that future.
“The way we teach quantum science today will shape who gets to participate in tomorrow’s innovations,” said Angela Kelly, associate professor of physics and astronomy and co-lead of the QUEST initiative. “That’s why it’s critical to bring quantum literacy to the K–12 level.”
Quantum breakthroughs aren’t just coming from the classroom. Stony Brook and BNL recently achieved a major milestone in quantum simulation, offering new insight into how quantum particles behave, and potentially opening the door to simulating matter under extreme conditions. The joint team developed an advanced computational framework for entanglement in secondary particles.
That level of cross-institutional collaboration is part of what sets Stony Brook apart. At the Real-World Science Town Hall hosted in February, university experts joined scientists and policymakers to discuss the practical implications of quantum research, from national security to clean energy to ethics. Participants agreed that scientific advancement must be paired with public understanding.
“100 years of quantum is just the beginning,” declares the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology website. As the field enters its second century, Stony Brook is superpositioned to help shape what comes next.
— Beth Squire