{"id":160875,"date":"2025-09-16T13:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/160875\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T13:00:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T13:00:18","slug":"mizzou-students-are-shaping-the-future-of-quantum-computing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/160875\/","title":{"rendered":"Mizzou students are shaping the future of quantum computing"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Janese Heavin<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Group<\/a><\/p>\n

Sept. 16, 2025
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu<\/p>\n

Research teams from across the University of Missouri are leveraging quantum computing to explore topics and questions too complex for traditional computers.<\/p>\n

This summer, graduate and undergraduate students were selected to participate in internships through the Mizzou Quantum Innovation Center<\/a>, in partnership with the College of Engineering<\/a>, College of Arts and Science<\/a> and Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business<\/a>. The center provides cloud-based access to IBM\u2019s Quantum Network.<\/p>\n

Quantum computing builds on the strange but powerful laws of quantum physics, where particles at the subatomic level can exist in multiple states at once. Unlike traditional computers that rely on bits \u2014 fixed as either 0 or 1 \u2014 quantum computers use qubits, which can embody many possibilities at the same time. This unique property enables them to tackle calculations and simulations so complex that even the fastest classical supercomputers can\u2019t keep up.<\/p>\n

Students used the quantum technology to advance research across disciplines during the summer internships. They will present their work during the inaugural Mizzou Quantum Day<\/a> on Sept. 19 at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., the day-long event also features keynotes from industry and national lab experts, breakout sessions and a panel discussion on the future of quantum.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to present Mizzou Quantum Day to introduce quantum computing capabilities for research and workforce development to a larger community audience,\u201d Chi-Ren Shyu, chair of the Mizzou Quantum Center\u2019s Executive Committee, said. \u201cWe hope it inspires more researchers to take advantage of the unique opportunities we have through the partnership with IBM.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at some of the student projects, two of which were supported by the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n

Identifying quantum risks<\/p>\n

Computer science doctoral student Andrew Woods, president of Mizzou\u2019s Quantum Technology Information and Computing Club, is investigating one of quantum\u2019s hidden vulnerabilities: cross-talk. This phenomenon occurs when operations on one qubit unintentionally affect another qubit. Woods compared it to loud music having an adverse impact on a next-door neighbor.<\/p>\n

Through access to IBM processors, Woods has documented these interactions and is working to understand their implications. His findings could play a critical role in protecting sensitive data as quantum machines become more widespread.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to identify these vulnerabilities now, before they become real-world risks,\u201d Woods said.<\/p>\n

AI meets quantum for cyber defense<\/p>\n

Because of its speed, power and ability to provide multiple probable outcomes at once, quantum computing poses a threat to today\u2019s cryptographic systems, which protect everything from bank accounts to national security.<\/p>\n

Dhanya Boyapally, an undergraduate student in computer science, is working on how to defend current cybersecurity systems. She and her team are developing a framework that integrates large language models with quantum methods to detect new types of attacks, automate security policies and simulate threats powered by quantum systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cAI systems that can think like quantum are essential,\u201d Boyapally said. \u201cQuantum systems can adapt quickly, recognize new patterns and detect threats that haven\u2019t been seen before. We need to tip the scale in favor of the defenders and not the attackers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlocking the mysteries of superconductivity<\/p>\n

In the Department of Physics, doctoral student Amarnath Chakraborty is applying quantum computing to one of science\u2019s longest-standing puzzles: high-temperature superconductivity. Using copper-oxide materials, called cuprates, his research could help transform energy efficiency. Until now, though, the complexity of those materials has long stymied traditional modeling.<\/p>\n

By testing models on both classical and quantum systems and scaling them up step by step, Chakraborty is identifying the point at which quantum computers clearly surpass their classical counterparts. His research could accelerate discoveries not only in physics but across industries that rely on advanced materials.<\/p>\n

Rethinking statistics with quantum tools<\/p>\n

Megan Hirni \u2014 a doctoral student studying statistics, measurement and evaluation in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology \u2014 is showing how quantum approaches can impact fields far beyond the physical sciences.<\/p>\n

She is applying quantum probability to bootstrapping, a statistical method used to strengthen small datasets by using the same data multiple times.<\/p>\n

On classical computers, bootstrapping can take days. Quantum approaches, however, promise to dramatically reduce that time while capturing the randomness of data more naturally. Hirni has tested her methods on simulated datasets and real-world blood pressure data.<\/p>\n

Hirni, who has a master\u2019s in statistics from Mizzou, said she hopes her work shows how quantum can benefit all types of research.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an educator at heart, I hope this work inspires others in psychology, education and the social sciences to embrace quantum tools,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Transforming health care with quantum imaging<\/p>\n

Mina Attari \u2014 a doctoral student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a member of the Machine Learning and Computer Vision Lab \u2014 is advancing the use of quantum algorithms in biomedical image analysis. Attari is exploring structural bottlenecks and flow dynamics in vascular networks using quantum methods.\u00a0 She started the project by processing 2D images of retinal vessels and is now expanding her work to analyze more complex, three-dimensional architecture of blood and lymphatic networks. Quantum approaches open new possibilities to analyze and understand these intricate networks with significant scientific and clinical implications.<\/p>\n

Quantum leadership at Mizzou<\/p>\n

From shielding sensitive data to unlocking new materials, Mizzou students are demonstrating that the reach of quantum computing extends far beyond computer science and physics.<\/p>\n

And, while students were hesitant to claim that quantum will emerge in our daily lives as quickly as AI has, it will be key to scientific advancement, Chakraborty said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to understand how quantum physics works or know all of the things happening in the back of the computers to take advantage of quantum computing,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople from different backgrounds are trying to incorporate quantum computing in their work not just because they want to, but they will need to at some point. Working with the Quantum Innovation Center at Mizzou is absolutely a golden opportunity for students to get started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Getting started in quantum research<\/p>\n

For those intrigued by the possibilities of quantum computing but unsure where to begin, Mizzou\u2019s QLearning Buddies<\/a> program offers a low-pressure entry point.<\/p>\n

Launched through the Quantum Innovation Center, the program brings together faculty, students and industry partners for hands-on training through the IBM Quantum Network. No prior experience is required, and participants are guided step by step until they\u2019re ready to apply quantum tools in their own fields.<\/p>\n

The program, which requires a commitment of two to three hours per week, is available through Canvas with weekly Q&A sessions, office hours and Zoom discussions. It\u2019s open to anyone in the University of Missouri System.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Janese Heavin Sept. 16, 2025Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu Research teams from across the University of Missouri are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":160876,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[191,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-160875","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-computing","8":"tag-computing","9":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160875\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}