quantum

George Mason pathways program introduces high schoolers to quantum

Katarina Benson — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:01:23 +0000

George Mason pathways program introduces high schoolers to quantum Katarina Benson Fri, 10/03/2025 - 15:01

Quantum science may operate at the tiniest scales of the universe, but its potential to reshape our world is anything but small. This summer, �� hosted the Pathways to Quantum Immersion Program, preparing high school students for careers in the rapidly emerging field of quantum science.

The program welcomed rising seniors from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and Virginia for an immersive, two-part experience consisting of a two-week virtual course covering the fundamentals of quantum science, followed by an in-person week centered at the George Mason Fairfax ��. During the in-person experience students engaged with hands-on learning and saw how quantum concepts are already shaping the world around them. They also visited leading institutions in research, technology, and policy.

Program leads Nancy Holincheck and Jessica Rosenberg. Photo by Zander Leon/College of Science

“Before this experience, I always associated 'quantum' with quantum physics,” said participant Benjamin Fu. “But I’ve learned that quantum technologies power many of the applications and systems we rely on every day.”

The program is led by Jessica Rosenberg, professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of education at George Mason’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center, and Nancy Holincheck, associate professor in the College of Education and Human Development and associate director of the Center for Social Equity Through Science Education.

"We want to give the students a feel for why it is interesting and important so that they consider taking that next step in a field that can be challenging," said Rosenberg. "If we can get these students interested, there will be plenty of time for them to dive into the math and other details that you need to really pursue the field. We also make sure to introduce them to a lot of people with a lot of different backgrounds and experiences to show them the variety of ways they can engage with and make an impact in the field."

Both Rosenberg and Holincheck guided students this summer through interactive sessions and field experiences, with many participants citing the visits as a highlight of their experience. For Fu, the visit to the MITRE Corporation, an organization that manages federally funded research and development, left a lasting impression.

“I met so many working professionals, and I admire their curiosity and how well they communicate their expertise,” he said. “They have to work closely with government agencies and serve as a bridge between academic research and real-world policy, and I could definitely see myself doing something like that in the future.”

2025 Quantum Pathways Program participants. Photo by Zander Leon/College of Science

Fellow participant Laura De also liked visiting MITRE. “I’m interested in industry-based applications of quantum and so seeing how people in the workforce implement the technologies, outside of academia, was the coolest thing. I think seeing that helped me envision doing that in the future.”

Participant Colette Cookson described the visit to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center as the highlight of the program, where she witnessed aerospace engineering in action and saw the massive machinery used in final-stage rocket testing. The students were shown how the facility uses vibration, sound, and extreme temperatures to ensure a rocket is sound before sending it to space. “I didn’t realize how many people were involved in making a single launch possible and that each step had its own specialist come in to do their part. There’s a lot of collaboration and interdisciplinary work,” she said.

Rosenberg and Holincheck also took participants through George Mason’s labs and let them see some of the work being done by current George Mason students.

Participant Horayn Gibson uses a handheld spectrometer to look at the different light waves that make up helium. Photo by Kimberly Cruz-Cruz

“I had no idea George Mason had so many resources or was investing this much in STEM,” said Cookson. “Every lab we visited was amazing, and it was cool to hear the postdocs talk about their research. One was working on something they said they hoped could cure cancer.”

For Avanthika Thodupunuri, the most exciting part was meeting current George Mason students whose research connected with her own interests. “I want to know how quantum can be applied to the stock market, and one student was working on a physics-based study in that area,” she said. “This program was incredible. I was surrounded by people who were not only incredibly smart, but also genuinely curious, asking thoughtful questions and interested in the subject.”

The Quantum Pathways Immersion program is part of QSEC’s K12 Quantum Workforce Development Project, which was funded by an appropriation sponsored by former U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton and aims to inspire the next generation of students to pursue the field while simultaneously preparing a diverse quantum workforce in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

“As the next generation, I think everyone is going to want to at least have some basic understanding [of quantum], and this program definitely gives you a head start on it,” said Thodupunuri.

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George Mason physicist receives NSF CAREER award for topological quantum computing research

Colleen Rich — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 18:41:33 +0000

George Mason physicist receives NSF CAREER award for topological quantum computing research Colleen Rich Tue, 08/20/2024 - 14:41

Fereshte Ghahari Kermani, assistant professor in physics and astronomy in ��’s College of Science, received the prestigious Early Career Development (CAREER) Program grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue her research on the complex quantum phases in graphene materials.

Fereshte Ghahari Kermani. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In 2023, Ghahari was the first faculty member at George Mason to receive the competitive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award to advance quantum technologies, and now she is the first to receive CAREER awards from both the DOE and NSF.

Ghahari’s study “Topological order and edge states in fractional quantum Hall systems” will focus on the complex quantum phases in graphene materials, which could be utilized in the development of future quantum technologies. For this project, Ghahari will investigate a specific topological phase of matter known as the fractional quantum Hall effect, which she first discovered in graphene in 2009. This phenomenon that appears in two-dimensional electron systems under high magnetic fields and ultra-low temperatures can support new particles that serve as the building blocks for topological quantum computers.

“By looking at how the charges flow and the heat they carry in response to a temperature gradient, we can measure entropy, or the degree of randomness, which can reveal the topological properties of these new particles and if they can be used in future topological quantum computers,” she explained.

Topological quantum computers allow for complex calculations out of reach of standard computing schemes. Quantum bits (qubits), which are used in conventional quantum computing, are more susceptible to errors due to environmental noise and other factors. Topological qubits, however, are prone to these types of errors.

“Studying these specific phases may also provide valuable insights into one of the long-standing problems in cosmology known as the “blackhole paradox” that addresses the loss of information in blackholes,” Ghahari said.

“Ghahari’s research and programmatic efforts continue to receive well-deserved attention,” said Department of Physics and Astronomy Chair Ernest Barreto. “Our quantum computing and materials academic offerings and research support continue to grow, thanks to such innovative research, outreach, and partnerships,” Barreto said.

Students working on Ghahari’s research team will create tiny graphene heterostructures on George Mason’s Fairfax ��, and subsequently use nanofabrication equipment at a nearby project collaborator, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), to integrate the quantum nanodevices. Finally, they will use a low temperature cryostat located at Ghahari’s lab at George Mason to measure these devices at extremely low temperatures and high magnetic fields.

As part of this award, Ghahari will design an education plan to educate George Mason community on quantum nanoscience research by leveraging her unique expertise and established collaborations, which can enhance and expand the existing infrastructure. This plan also includes promoting outreach and educational opportunities for students and underrepresented groups by offering seminars and additional quantum courses. She seeks to introduce quantum concepts to high school students to foster awareness and cultivate interest at an earlier age. According to Ghahari, mentorship plays an essential role in a student’s academic experience.

“Mentoring is crucial,” Ghahari said. “As a student, I often sought inspiration. Now, I strive to share my passion and interest in the subject as I work with students.”

With the NSF support, Ghahari’s study will receive $564,695 over the course of five years.

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Mason physicist receives university’s first DOE Early Career Award

Colleen Rich — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:38:46 +0000

Mason physicist receives university’s first DOE Early Career Award Colleen Rich Wed, 10/25/2023 - 10:38

�� researcher Fereshte Ghahari Kermani recently received the highly competitive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award. She is the first Mason faculty member to receive this honor, one that highlights the significance of her contributions to the field of condensed matter physics.

This recognition supports scientists across the county whose work pushes the boundaries of scientific advancement and helps solidify the United States as a driver of science and innovation around the world.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Ghahari’s study “Probing Correlated Phenomena in Graphene Constrictions” seeks to discover new pathways that will advance the development of novel quantum computing devices. To propel quantum technologies forward, Ghahari, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will look specifically at quantum electronic properties of charge carriers in graphene—a single atom thick layer of graphite—nanostructures.

Her research will address fundamental physics questions including whether a novel type of superconducting qubit can be designed by twisting graphene layers, as well as the properties of emergent particles of specific topological phases of matter. A qubit refers to a basic unit of quantum computing, such as the spin of an electron.

In search for these questions, Ghahari and her team will design and realize artificial potential landscapes in tiny graphene devices. Then they measure these devices at ultra-low temperatures and strong magnetic fields to probe correlated phases in their tunable dimensionalities.

“This research helps to develop new types of qubits by understanding specific quantum electron properties of particles when traveling through these constrictions,” Ghahari said.

Ghahari’s study was selected by the DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences and will receive $875K over the course of five years. “It is nice to be recognized. This funding will support my career goals to make meaningful advances leading to the scientific insights required for the advancement of technologies based on quantum physics, “Ghahari said.

Ghahari’s past research has been in pursuit of understanding novel correlated and topological phenomena in graphene. She has made pioneering contributions to the field early in her career from the discovery of fractional quantum Hall effect and hydrodynamic thermal transport to Berry phase switch and quantum Hall wedding cakes in graphene nano devices.

Interested in Ghahari’s research? View another study currently in progress and her work recently published in Science.

Delve more into Research at the Physics and Astronomy Department

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