High School Student Earns Accolades for Summer Research with Gorshkov Group

Jason Youm, a high school student who performed summer research with Alexey Gorshkov, an adjunct associate professor of physics at UMD, in 2023, placed in the top dozen competitors in the physics and astronomy category at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In the competition, Youm, who recently completed his junior year at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, presented research he completed under the mentorship of Gorshkov and Joseph Iosue, a graduate student in physics at UMD.

The Regeneron ISEF brings together high school students from across the world who earn their spots by qualifying at local science fairs. In his project, Youm performed calculations to help researchers investigate how quantum computers can perform certain tasks significantly faster than their traditional counterparts.

“I'm truly, really thankful for the research opportunity,” Youm said. “I think it's honestly changed my life. It's truly an invaluable experience.”Jason YoumJason Youm

Youm had harbored an interest in quantum physics for the first couple of years of high school, and after finishing his first calculus class during his sophomore year, he decided to look for opportunities to explore the interest more deeply. 

“Kind of on a whim, in mid-May, I just emailed some professors at UMD, because I heard they had a good program in quantum physics,” Youm said. “I just asked like, ‘I'm interested in these fields. Would you be interested in having a student intern during the summer?’ And Alexey was kind enough to accept me into the group.”

Gorshkov first looked over the relevant experience in math and physics Youm shared in his email and then reached out to the other members of the group to ask if any of them had a suitable project.

One of those graduate students, Iosue, was particularly interested in mentoring someone since he knew firsthand how valuable such experiences can be. When he was an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he had spent a summer working in Gorshkov’s group.

“My time as an undergrad in Alexey’s group was a very good experience for me,” Iosue said. “It was the best research experience I had until I started my Ph.D. So, I wanted to do something similar for someone else.”

Iosue remembered a project from his early days as a graduate student that had a natural continuation. The group hadn’t followed up on the possibility yet, and he thought the remaining work might be a suitable project for a motivated high school student.

The project developed mathematical tools for studying quantum entanglement—a phenomenon where the evolving fates of quantum particles become inextricably linked. A collection of quantum states can have different amounts of quantum entanglement that are possible, and Iosue performed calculations that help quantify if the quantum entanglement values are tightly or loosely clumped together. Entanglement plays a central role in quantum computers, so it is likely to be a key ingredient in any proof that quantum computing’s advantage is real and that a cleverly designed program on a traditional computer can’t possibly compete. 

The calculations that Iosue had performed were only the first of a set that each provide slightly different insights about the entanglement of the analyzed states. Iosue suggested that Youm could perform the other calculations by using the previous work as a guide. Gorshkov agreed, and Youm ended up taking on the project.

“My hope was that the calculations would be similar—like the whole beginning to end process that we did would be similar,” Iosue said. “So, it seemed like a high school student wouldn't have to necessarily dive into too much scientific literature or dive into too much uncertainty. I was hoping there was a bit more of a straight path, but with research, it's not always what you expect.”

Early in the summer, the project hit a snag. Iosue suggested Youm begin with a scientific paper that provided equations that were the natural starting point for the new calculations. But as Youm worked, his results weren’t going anywhere. When the group dug deeper, they determined that the equations in the paper were incorrect, and they had to start over by deriving the initial equations themselves.

Eventually, Youm successfully worked through the math for an additional portion of the calculations, and he also used computer simulations to verify his results.

“In the middle of the project was a lot of coding, mathematical work, and trying to understand the physics processes behind all the math that I was doing,” Youm said. “I worked for around eight hours a day, just trying to progress in my work and deriving the necessary formulas and the theorems. So it was pretty intensive, but also I really enjoyed it.”

In Youm’s science fair project, titled “Measuring Quantum Entanglement Entropy in Gaussian Boson Sampling,” he presented the results and discussed their practical applications to quantum experiments. The calculations apply to Gaussian boson sampling experiments where several measurements collect a sample of results from a specific set of prepared quantum states. Quantum mechanics allows a sample to be designed so that it reflects very specific statistics, and many physicists believe that for many cases it can be prohibitively complex for any computer not exploiting quantum phenomena to create a sample with the correct statistics.

The calculations that Youm performed are not directly used in sampling experiments, but they are a potential tool for studying how entanglement relates to the complexity of the sampling task. Understanding entanglement could be central to definitively proving if a sampling experiment has truly achieved an unassailable quantum advantage.

After the summer, Youm continued to work with the group—scheduling meetings around his normal school schedule and assignments. During the school year, Youm took the lead on writing a paper about the results, which the group has posted on the arXiv preprint server

“I've had high school students working with my group in the past, but this was the first time we worked over the summer with a rising junior instead of a rising senior,” said Gorshkov. “Jason's performance was outstanding!”

This summer Youm is once again took on a research project, but this year he was at the 2024 Center for Excellence in Education Research Science Institute summer program at MIT, which accepts 100 high school students from around the world. 

“I am really thankful for Alexey, and the rest of the research group, because without them I wouldn't have been able to get any of these opportunities,” Youm said. “I owe all of this to them, and I just feel really happy and grateful.”

Written by Bailey Bedford

 

In addition to Gorshkov and Iosue, QuICS Hartree Postdoctoral Fellow Yuxin Wang and JQI graduate student Adam Ehrenberg also worked with Youm and are authors on the paper posted on the arXiv preprint server.

Edward "Joe" Redish, 1942 - 2024

Edward F. “Joe” Redish, a nuclear theorist who became a globally recognized expert in physics education research, died on August 24, 2024 at age 82. 

Upon earning his Ph.D. at MIT in 1968, Redish came to UMD on a fellowship in nuclear theory. He was hired as an assistant professor in 1970, continuing his work on the theory of reactions and the quantum few-body problem.

Over the next dozen years, technological advances made computers vastly more accessible, and Redish recognized their enormous potential for students grappling with difficult concepts and calculations.  Intending to develop useful tools, he accepted the position of department chair in 1982, and quickly launched the Maryland University Project in Physics and Educational Technology (M.U.P.P.E.T.). Among the results was M.U.P.P.E.T. Utilities, a software package with applications for graphing, simple animations and data management that allowed students to use computing for complex physics problems.

M.U.P.P.E.T. inspired broad interest in incorporating computing into physics instruction. The experience also heightened Redish’s interest in physics education. In 1992, he took a sabbatical at the University of Washington with Dr. Lillian McDermott, a leader in the field, and upon his return launched the Maryland Physics Education Research Group.  

Since its creation, the UMD PERG has graduated dozens of physics Ph.Ds. and trained several postdocs. Graduates include many tenured physics faculty, two American Physical Society (APS) fellows, and a president of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

Among the group’s notable efforts was the Maryland Physics Expectations Survey (MPEX), which revealed a chasm between what students and professors thought was happening in introductory physics courses. This paper led to the development of similar surveys in physics and in other fields. Redish and the PERG became leaders in the development of a theoretical framework for Physics Education Research and in developing analytic tools for cognitive modeling of student thinking

In 2003, as part of The Physics Suite, a project unifying multiple active-learning materials with a new textbook, Redish wrote a guide to physics teaching, Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite. A December 2019 review in the UK's Institute of Physics’ education newsletter called it "perhaps the single best book available for a teacher to read who wants to get a deeper insight into teaching and learning in physics." It has been translated into Japanese and Farsi.

In response to his research findings, Redish overhauled Physics 121/122 (required for life science students) to focus on the development of higher-order scientific thinking skills, reconsidering each component and better integrating the labs, tutorials and homework assignments. To provide a more interactive experience, he introduced interactive lecture demonstrations and clickers, which provided real-time feedback to the instructor on what students were absorbing.

In 2010, Redish received funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for the National Experiment in Undergraduate Science Education (NEXUS) and created Physics 131/132. This sequence was designed for students planning careers in medicine and bioscience, who will better understand chemical and biological processes with a solid foundation in physics. It is a core element of the multi-university, multi-million dollar National Science Foundation (NSF) project, The Living Physics Portal, a national web resource for organizing, evaluating, and sharing materials for physics classes for life science students.

His more than 100 published papers include three major articles in Physics Today, two of which were cover articles.. He was awarded $7.5 million in federal funding for Physics Education Research.

Redish was a UMD Distinguished Scholar-Teacher and a Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the APS.  He received a broad range of accolades, including the NSF Director's Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award in 2005.

For 12 years, he was the U.S. representative to the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics Commission on Physics Education (C14), and received its Education Medal in 2012. He was awarded the AAPT Oersted and Millikan medals and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents Award for Teaching. In 2015, he received the APS Excellence in Physics Education Award, "For leadership in the use of computers in physics education, applying cognitive research to improve student learning and critical thinking skills, tailoring physics instruction for nonphysicists, and guiding the field of physics education research through a period of significant growth."

He was a leader in helping building the Physics Education Research community, editing the first PER journal and organizing major conferences including the first on Computers in Physics Education (1988), a major international meeting on Physics Education (1996), and the first (and so far only) Fermi International Summer School on PER (2003).

Redish’s wife Ginny, daughter Deborah and son David all hold doctorates in science. In 2011, Joe and Ginny established the E.F. Redish Endowed Professorship in Science Education.  In 2019, they created the E.F. and J.C. Redish Maryland Promise Scholarship

In 2017, more than 150 colleagues and advisees gathered to honor Redish on his 75th birthday.   

More information is available here: https://www.sagelbloomfield.com/obituary/Edward-Redish#obituary

 

UMD Offers New Minor in Quantum Science and Engineering

 The University of Maryland will offer a new minor in quantum science and engineering beginning in spring 2025. Students in the minor will learn about quantum computing technologies, algorithms for quantum computers, characteristics of quantum materials, and sensing and noise in quantum systems.

“Our new quantum minor complements our well-recognized strength in quantum research and helps prepare our undergraduate students to join the workforce in this emerging field or attend graduate school and contribute to future quantum research,” said Sennur Ulukus, chair of UMD’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE).

Undergraduate students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering and College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) will be eligible to enroll in the minor. Applications will be accepted online from October 28, 2024 to December 6, 2024. The minor was created through a multidisciplinary collaboration between the departments of ECE, physics, computer science, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering

“With this new program, we are significantly enhancing the set of courses on quantum topics for UMD undergraduates. The minor will let students approach quantum science and engineering from different angles and explore the subject deeply,” said Andrew Childs, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies

The new minor adds to UMD’s quantum education offerings, which include a quantum information specialization for computer science majors and quantum computing master’s and graduate certificate programs.

“Quantum information science is inherently multidisciplinary, going beyond just physics,” said Steve Rolston, chair and professor of the Department of Physics. “This minor will allow students throughout CMNS to learn about quantum.”

In addition to academics, UMD is a hub for quantum research and development. Over 200 quantum scientists and engineers at the university are exploiting the unique properties of quantum physics to usher in a new age of technology: quantum computers capable of currently intractable calculations, ultra-secure quantum networking and exotic new quantum materials.

The quantum enterprise at UMD includes the following:


The Q-Lab will also provide equipment for two lab courses offered in the new minor, one focused on quantum hardware and the other focused on quantum software. The courses will give students a physical appreciation for what quantum can do on top of the math and science theory they will learn in their lecture courses.

“We’re not just teaching students about quantum mechanics. We’re preparing them to think in ways that bridge the classical and quantum-computing worlds,” said ECE Professor Patrick O’Shea, director of quantum education programming. “We educate our students to be creative quantum explorers, not just quantum-tourists.”

Adapted from text provided by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Sturge, Shearin and Moroch Attend 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Three UMD physics alumni were selected to join the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in powerful discussions with dozens of Nobel Prize winners.  

In Lindau, Germany, attendees interacted with prominent scientists like Anne L’Huillier and Ferenc Krausz, among other Nobel Laureates, for a week-long discussion on the impact of physics in the future of energy supply, artificial intelligence and quantum research. 

"My takeaway from the Lindau Meeting is that there are so many things you can do with a physics education and unlimited ways to impact the world with your research," said physics graduate student Kate Sturge (B.S. '22, astronomy; B.S. '22, physics). "It was wonderful to meet so many young scientists from all over the world and bond for a week over our shared love of physics. This week also brought about much personal reflection on what I want to do in my career and what my next steps should be."

Original story: https://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/news/science-terps-attend-73rd-lindau-meeting

Read more about these Science Terps below.

Scott Moroch

Scott Moroch (B.S. '20, physics)

Current position: Ph.D. student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor: Tim Koeth (undergraduate research), Ronald Garcia Ruiz (doctoral)

Research focus: Moroch studies precision spectroscopy and ion-trapping of molecules for fundamental physics.

 

Ariana Shearin

Ariana Shearin (B.S. '22, physics)

Current position: Graduate student, Department of Physics

Advisor: Tim Koeth

Research focus: Shearin is working on developing a penning ion trap to study weak force physics.

 

Kathryn Sturge

Kathryn Sturge (B.S. '22, astronomy; B.S. '22, physics)

Current position: Graduate student, Department of Physics 

Advisor: Tim Koeth

Research focus: Sturge studies dielectric breakdown in space-charged polymers.