Quantum Innovation Meets the Future of Environmental Science at Stony Brook

Pavlos Kollias, Empire Innovation Professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, speaks at the Quantum Information Science for the Geosciences Workshop.

Researchers from across academia, government and industry gathered at the State University of New York at Stony Brook on May 6 and 7 for the Quantum Information Science for the Geosciences Workshop, a multidisciplinary event focused on how emerging quantum technologies could transform atmospheric science, oceanography, Earth system modeling and related geoscience fields.

Held at the Charles B. Wang Center and supported by the National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences (NSF GEO), the workshop brought together experts in quantum computing, quantum sensing, networking, atmospheric science and environmental modeling to examine how quantum information science could address some of the most complex scientific and societal challenges facing Earth system research.

The workshop reflected Stony Brook's growing role in quantum research and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly at the intersection of advanced technologies and environmental science. Discussions throughout the two-day event focused on identifying high-impact scientific applications for quantum technologies, defining methodological and infrastructure priorities, and building long-term collaborations across disciplines.

Jules Jaffe of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

"For decades, NSF has invested in foundational research and development to advance our understanding of quantum information science," said Subhashree Mishra, a section head for NSF GEO. "This workshop marked a pivotal opportunity to not only evaluate how quantum science could transform our ability to study geoscience, but also to consider how geoscience could accelerate and motivate new quantum technologies. I look forward to seeing how the outcomes of this workshop help guide future NSF investments that intersect quantum information science and geoscience."

Pavlos Kollias, Empire Innovation Professor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and chair of the workshop steering committee, led the event alongside an interdisciplinary group of organizers representing institutions including the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and various universities, including Stony Brook, the University of California at San Diego, George Mason University, the University of Texas at Austin.

"One of the most important outcomes of the workshop was the realization that the geosciences community is ready to engage strategically with QIS," said Kollias. "The discussions highlighted both the scientific opportunities to shape the future of Earth system science and the need to build long-term partnerships across academia, national laboratories, industry and federal agencies."

From left: Rong Zhao, State University of New York at Stony Brook; Yong Meng Sua, Stevens Institute of Technology; Allison McComiskey, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR); and Jason Hyon, NASA Jet Pro.

The workshop opened with remarks from Kollias, Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Mónica Bugallo, and representatives from NSF GEO. Sessions throughout the event explored foundational concepts in quantum information science and examined practical applications for geoscience research.

"Quantum technologies have the potential to transform how we study complex Earth and environmental systems, from climate modeling and atmospheric science to ocean and environmental monitoring," said Mónica Bugallo, interim vice president for research and innovation at Stony Brook. "This workshop brought together researchers across the geosciences and quantum information science to explore new approaches, strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations, and help shape the future of geoscience discovery."

Topics included quantum computing, quantum algorithms, quantum networking and quantum sensing, with presentations from researchers at institutions such as NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, IonQ, IBM, University of Texas at Austin, Stony Brook University, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Eden Figueroa, endowed presidential professor of physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Quantum Institute at Stony Brook University.

Organizers emphasized that the geosciences present especially compelling opportunities for quantum technologies because of the scale and complexity of Earth system challenges. Researchers are increasingly investigating how quantum computing could accelerate large-scale simulations and data analysis, while quantum sensing technologies could improve environmental monitoring, remote sensing and climate observations.

The workshop also highlighted Stony Brook's broader investments in quantum information science. The university is home to the SUNY Center of Quantum Information Science at Long Island, whose research spans quantum communication, computing, sensing and simulation.

Stony Brook researchers are also advancing initiatives in quantum networking and quantum-enabled technologies through collaborations with national laboratories, federal agencies and industry partners.

Group photo of the Steering Committee and workshop participants.

In addition to technical sessions, the workshop included breakout discussions designed to identify future research priorities, workforce development needs and opportunities for sustained collaboration between quantum scientists and geoscience researchers. Organizers said the event was intended not only to showcase current advances, but also to help establish a long-term roadmap for integrating quantum technologies into operational geoscience tools and research infrastructure.

By bringing together experts from multiple scientific domains, the workshop underscored the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of quantum research and Stony Brook's role as a hub for scientific collaboration and innovation.