ISAAPT spring meeting public talk: Dr. Thomas Searles

Dr. Thomas A. Searles from the University of Illinois-Chicago will present "Quantum is Coming (Here!) and We Can't Do it Without You!"

This talk is part of the spring 2025 joint meeting of the Iowa and Illinois Sections of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), which is co-sponsored by Augustana Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy Department. The meeting is titled "The Future of Quantum and Education." Learn more here.

About the presentation

Quantum information technology is emerging and expected to disrupt current critical communications, computing, and sensing infrastructure. Importantly, each of the near-term applications of quantum information are recognized globally as challenging in both a scientific and technological sense. Just as important as the technical advancements, the quantum industry also requires a trained-skilled workforce and vast investment in quantum education nationally. By 2035, quantum computers are expected to be “useful” for solving specific problems in chemistry, materials science and finance and in Illinois we expect a workforce that will exceed 35,000 quantum jobs with 60B in impact. Currently, there is a 20B investment on the South Side of Chicago in the form of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, with quantum industry tenants in Government and Industry. As such, it is important to reach current K to 12 students and educators and present opportunities for collaboration within building a safer, quantum-smart future in the US.

About the presenter

Dr. Thomas A. Searles is a quantum engineer, and experimental condensed matter physicist, from Albany, GA. He graduated from Morehouse College (BS) and Rice University with a PhD in Applied Physics. In 2021, Searles joined the University of Illinois Chicago as an Associate Professor, under the University System’s Distinguished Faculty Recruitment Program. Prior to UIC, he was a Martin Luther King Visiting Professor at MIT and the Director of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center. Amongst having an active research program in quantum computing, photonics and communications, Thomas currently leads a multi-year multimillion-dollar consortium for quantum engineering education. In recognition for his research in light-matter interactions and his capability to mentor students in Physics and Engineering, Thomas was awarded the inaugural AIP-NSBP Joseph A. Johnson Award for Excellence, the 2025 BEYA for Educational Leadership and an NSF CAREER Award. Additionally, Thomas serves as President-elect of the National Society of Black Physicists, an APS DLS Distinguished Traveling Lecturer and member-at-large of the US National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, National Academies.