University College Cork has established Ireland’s first dedicated quantum sensing laboratory with a €1.56m investment, positioning the university as a central hub for the emerging technology. Leading the new lab is Alix McCollam, who transitioned to a senior professor role at UCC in 2023 after a Marie Curie fellowship and faculty position at Radboud University in the Netherlands. This development arrives as industries like logistics companies and pharmaceutical developers are already using quantum computing to optimize supply chains and accelerate drug discovery. McCollam’s work is expected to enable quantum physics and chemistry research across UCC.
UCC Establishes Ireland’s First Quantum Sensing Laboratory
Logistics operations and pharmaceutical research are already benefiting from advances in quantum computing, with companies using the technology to refine supply chain efficiency and accelerate drug discovery processes. University College Cork’s newly established quantum sensing laboratory is expected to further these applications and expand the scope of quantum research within Ireland. The emergence of this laboratory coincides with broader developments in the Irish quantum landscape, including the $60m funding round secured by Equal1 in January.
Equal1, founded in 2017, is building cost-effective, scalable quantum processing units and last year unveiled Ireland’s first domestically produced QPU. Blokhina, Equal1’s chief scientific officer since 2022, brings additional expertise to the growing community. These developments collectively position Ireland as a notable hub for quantum innovation and research.
Horizon Quantum Pioneers Secure Cloud-Based Computation
Horizon Quantum, established in 2018 by Dr. Tom Fitzsimons, recently became a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq exchange, signaling a shift towards commercializing quantum software infrastructure. Fitzsimons’ work extends beyond business leadership. He currently serves as president of the Southeast Asia Quantum Industry Association and on the board of the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, demonstrating a commitment to international collaboration.
Prior to founding Horizon, Fitzsimons held a position as a principal investigator for Quantum Technologies in Singapore, further solidifying his expertise in the field. A key technology underpinning Horizon Quantum’s secure cloud-based computation is universal blind quantum computation, co-invented by Fitzsimons during his tenure as a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford between 2007 and 2010.
This innovation allows computations to be performed on a quantum computer without revealing the underlying data or the computation itself to the machine’s operator, addressing critical security concerns for sensitive applications. Dr. Mjeda, a cybersecurity lecturer at Munster Technical University, brings a unique interdisciplinary background to the field, holding degrees in computer science and a PhD in safety-critical systems from the University of Limerick.
Her research encompasses secure software development, application security and quantum software, highlighting the growing intersection between cybersecurity and quantum computing. Professor Davis, a quantum physics professor at College Cork, also holds external positions at the University of Oxford and Cornell University, and is a member of the National Advisory Forum for Quantum Technologies, a group central to Ireland’s ‘Quantum 2030’ strategy. Lynch recently joined the Government’s industry-led advisory council on the semiconductor sector.
Quantum Experts Drive Ireland’s ‘Quantum 2030’ Strategy
Ireland’s push for quantum technology leadership is bolstered by dedicated research facilities and the expertise of scientists. Rinn Quantum’s establishment earlier this year, co-run by physicist Goold, highlights a growing emphasis on the interconnectedness of quantum communication, sensing, materials, and simulation. Hess, also serving as inaugural editor-in-chief of APL Quantum, directs research at Trinity College Dublin’s Crann Institute, further solidifying the academic infrastructure supporting Ireland’s quantum ambitions.
Fidelity’s Dascal is simultaneously advancing enterprise adoption of quantum technology through his work with Quantum Ireland, while also focusing on quantum algorithm security research. He also co-founded Diviq, a nonprofit dedicated to diversifying the quantum workforce through travel grants for underrepresented researchers, recognizing the importance of inclusivity in the field.
Source: https://www.equal1.com/insights/equal1-leaders-recognized-among-irelands-top-quantum-experts
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