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University of Calgary researcher , PhD, is exploring a world most people never see: the world of quantum science. At this extremely small scale, matter behaves in ways that differ from the familiar laws of classical physics.

“When systems become very small, like atoms, or operate at very low energy, like photons, unusual quantum behaviours begin to appear,” says Barzanjeh, an associate professor in the at the . By uncovering and harnessing these strange and powerful interactions, he is translating quantum phenomena into technologies with the potential to advance computing, health care and Canada’s innovation landscape.

This transformative work has earned Barzanjeh the , a prestigious national award. The fellowship supports research aligned with Canada’s scientific and technological priorities and is conducted in collaboration with a researcher from the (NRC). Barzanjeh will work with co-principal investigator , PhD, a quantum researcher at the NRC.

“Congratulations to Dr. Barzanjeh on receiving the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship,” says , MD, vice-president (research). “A Killam fellowship is one of the highest honours a scholar can receive. This award recognizes Dr. Barzanjeh’s research excellence and underscores the importance of sustained investment in quantum science. His work highlights UCalgary’s growing leadership in the field, contributes to Canada’s national priorities, and advances technologies with lasting societal impact.”

Building the foundation of quantum technology

Barzanjeh’s research spans several areas of , including computing, networking and sensing. 

A major focus is developing foundational components of quantum computers — machines with the potential to exceed the capabilities of today’s classical systems for certain problems. These computers are expected to accelerate progress in areas such as drug discovery, complex optimization and certain artificial intelligence tasks.

He is also advancing quantum-networking technologies designed to connect future quantum computers into secure, high-performance networks based on quantum communication principles. By enabling quantum information to be exchanged between systems, these networks would form the backbone of a future quantum ecosystem.

Safer, smarter sensors

Another key area of Barzanjeh’s work is the development of highly sensitive quantum sensors — tools capable of measuring and detecting information with unprecedented precision. One promising application is the quantum microscope, designed for medical and biological imaging.

Traditional optical-imaging systems often face a trade-off between measurement sensitivity and the amount of light exposure that biological samples can tolerate.

“To extract very fine details, conventional methods often require increasing the light intensity,” says Barzanjeh, who also leads the lab. “That increase in power can damage cells and tissues, so there’s a price to pay.” 

Quantum microscopes aim to overcome this limitation by using quantum entanglement, a phenomenon in which pairs of particles share strong correlations, even when separated by large distances. Measuring one particle can reveal information about its entangled partner.

Entanglement explained

“We generate two entangled particles, in this case, photons,” says Barzanjeh. “One interacts with a target, such as a sample of biological cells, while the other is kept isolated. By comparing the two particles, we can extract highly precise information about the sample while suppressing unwanted background disturbances, such as noise, from the environment.”

Because this method operates at very low light levels, it enables detailed measurements while reducing the risk of damage to delicate samples, opening new possibilities for research, diagnostics and health care.

Accelerating impact 

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship will advance Barzanjeh’s work by providing dedicated time to focus on research and strengthening the partnership between UCalgary and the NRC.

“The researchers at the NRC have extensive facilities and exceptional infrastructure,” says Barzanjeh. “This collaboration with Dr. Studenikin, including the exchange of students and visiting researchers, is incredibly important to accelerate progress and strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in quantum science.”

Faculty of Science Dean Kristin Baetz, PhD, says that the fellowship is good for science, and good for students and researchers interested in quantum.

"Congratulations to Dr. Barzanjeh,” she says. “This is truly an amazing accomplishment that reflects Dr. Barzanjeh’s drive to advance quantum research and make it matter in our daily lives.”

Canada’s quantum future

Barzanjeh also emphasizes the importance of training highly skilled students and researchers who will help build Canada’s quantum future.

“Preparing the next generation of students is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work,” he says. 

While quantum science can be complex, Barzanjeh’s goal is straightforward: translating quantum effects into practical technologies that benefit society.

“If we succeed in building these systems, they could have significant long-term impact across computing, sensing and secure communications,” he says.