Department secures landmark funding and achieves breakthrough results, positioning the University at the forefront of transformative technology

The Department of Computer Science at Stony Brook University has established itself as one of the nation's foremost quantum computing research groups, securing major federal funding and achieving results that position the University at the forefront of this transformative technology.

In September 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a historic $300 million state investment to establish a Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at Stony Brook—one of the largest research commitments in SUNY history. The University also received a Phase 2 National Quantum Virtual Laboratory award from the National Science Foundation in quantum networking, earning $4 million to develop SCY-QNet, a 10-node quantum network connecting Stony Brook, Columbia University, Yale University, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

"Imagine you have a time machine to go back to the 1940s to design the first digital computer, or imagine a time machine going back to the 1980s to design the world wide web—would you be excited?" said Supartha Podder, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science. "Well, quantum computing and quantum networks are giving us a second chance."

The department's quantum group expertise spans algorithms, complexity, information theory, cryptography, network protocols, and software design. Faculty members, including Himanshu Gupta, C.R. Ramakrishnan, Nengkun Yu, Supartha Podder, and Omkant Pandey, have produced groundbreaking research in top conferences and journals, advancing areas from distributed quantum computing to the foundations of quantum software verification.

Beyond research, the department is developing the next generation of quantum talent through a minor in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) at the undergraduate level and an evolving Master's program in QIST. These workforce development initiatives range from high school outreach to doctoral research.

"For over the past 50 years, general-purpose computers and the world wide web have completely revolutionized the landscape of scientific computing and society as a whole," said Himanshu Gupta, professor of computer science. "In the coming decades, quantum computing is poised to reshape the frontiers of computing, with the ability to perform tasks that may otherwise be unreachable."

With the 150,000-square-foot Quantum Research and Innovation Hub expected to open in 2029, Stony Brook is cementing its position as New York's—and potentially the nation's—premier destination for quantum research and education.