Category: News

Quantum Algorithms for High-Performance Analysis of Single-Cell Omics Data and Explainable Drug Discovery.

Fei Li, Associate Professor, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), received funding for the project: “Quantum Algorithms for High-Performance Analysis of Single-Cell Omics Data and Explainable Drug Discovery.”

This project leverages quantum computing to develop innovative, explainable methods for drug target discovery by integrating biological omics data—such as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from disease tissue samples—with ex vivo drug screening results.

Li will tackle key computational challenges by developing QOTBox, the first quantum network computing platform tailored for high-performance analysis of single-cell omics data and explainable drug discovery.

QOTBox will offer exceptional scalability, efficiency, and accuracy, supporting system-level analysis of large, complex datasets. Li will demonstrate cutting-edge applications of quantum computing to reveal novel biological insights. The project will also introduce new quantum network analysis algorithms to power advanced computational biology, with expected breakthroughs in areas such as metabolism and the brain connectome.

These innovations promise broad biomedical impact, including more precise diagnostics, improved therapies, and a deeper understanding of complex biological systems—laying the groundwork for future advances in biology and medicine.

Li received a $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for this project. Funding began in September 2025 and will conclude in August 2027.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Reshaping Education in Nanofabrication for the Northern Virginia Ecosystem and Workforce (RENEW)

Congratulations to PI: Ethan Ahn and Co-PIs: Nathalia Peixoto, Jill Nelson, Jessica Rosenberg for receiving a $934,614 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) grant for their project, “Reshaping Education in Nanofabrication for the Northern Virginia Ecosystem and Workforce (RENEW)!

Awarded: 8/22/2025
Official award announcement (NSF)
Check out PI’s Linkedin Post

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

New course PHYS 391/590 on Ideas in Quantum Science and Technology

In Spring 2024, the course “Ideas in Quantum Science and Technology” will introduce quantum concepts, technologies, and careers to Mason undergraduate students of science, engineering, K-12 education, business, policy, and ethics. The course will be taught by Jessica Rosenberg, QSEC Education Director and Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy. No prior math, physics, or quantum knowledge is needed.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

QSEC Physicist receives Mason’s first DOE Early Career Award

Fereshte Ghahari Kermani is a 2023 Early Career U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Research awardee. Photo by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University

QSEC faculty member Fereshte Ghahari Kermani, Assistant Professor of Physics, recently received U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Award, which highlights the significance of her contributions to the field of condensed matter physics. She is the first Mason faculty member to receive this honor. Ghahari will look specifically at quantum electronic properties of charge carriers in graphene nanostructures.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Mason represents Virginia at the 2023 Quantum World Congress

George Mason University was the only university representing Virginia at the 2023 Quantum World Congress (QWC) underscoring its commitment to quantum advancements. QSEC played a pivotal role in rallying faculty and students to make a strong showing and enrich the program of QWC.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

QSEC Researchers Receive NSF Funds for Quantum Teaching in Both Elementary Classrooms and College

QSEC research groups, led by Dr. Nancy Holincheck and Dr. Weiwen Jiang, has been recently awarded for research funds by NSF on quantum teaching and learning in elementary classrooms and college, correspondingly.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

QSEC Faculty Receives NSF Funds for Quantum Computing Research

QSEC faculty members Dr. Fei Wang, and Dr. Weiwen Jiang, Dr. Jessica Rosenberg, and Dr. Mingzhen Tian has been recently awarded for research funds by NSF on simulation of non-Markovian quantum dynamics and Enabling Temporal-Reliable Quantum Learning, correspondingly.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Mason represents Virginia at the 2022 Quantum World Congress

George Mason University was the only university representing Virginia at the 2022 Quantum World Congress (QWC). Representing Mason at QWC, QSEC galvanized faculty and students to make a strong showing and enrich the program of the conference.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

QWC Session: Quantum in your classroom

Quantum in your Classroom is an introduction to quantum science for elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Come learn about what quantum is, why it is important for your students, and where you can find resources to integrate it into your classrooms. No prior knowledge of quantum is required. Future professional development opportunities will be available to participants.

Speaker: Jessica Rosenberg, Nancy Holincheck | George Mason University

Tuesday, November 29, 2022, 5-7 pm at Quantum World Congress

https://www.quantumworldcongress.com/bootcamps/gmu

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

QSEC ‘s Physicists Have Received a Total of $2.3M Federal Research Funding in 2022

QSEC Director Dr. Patrick Vora has been recently awarded $349,997 for a collaborative research fund by NSF on two-dimension physics. This award boosted the total federal research fund awarded to QSEC physicists to more than $2.3M, recipients include Dr. Karen Sauer, Dr. Nirmal Ghimire, and Dr. Igor Mazin.

*The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.