Sabre Kais Joins NC State as Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Quantum Computing

In August 2024, Sabre Kais joined NC State’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering as the Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Quantum Computing. 

The Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Quantum Computing is a new endowed appointment created to help lead the growth and multidisciplinary activity of the IBM Quantum Innovation Center at NC State. 

Kais, an internationally recognized expert in quantum information and quantum computing for complex chemical systems, brings over 30 years of pioneering research from Purdue University. His work on quantum algorithms, including collaborations with IBM, has significantly advanced the understanding of molecular systems and driven progress in quantum technologies.

“The idea is to solve complex problems in science and engineering that are hard to solve on a classical computer,” said Kais. 

As the Goodnight Distinguished Chair, Kais said that his role is to expand the field of quantum information and quantum computing — and try to understand the structure and dynamics of complex many-body systems.

For example, a large molecular system can present challenges for a classical computer, which is limited by processors dependent on a binary system of 0s and 1s. Kais’ research develops algorithms using quantum computing to produce accurate calculations for complex systems. This technology aids scientists in the discovery of new drugs and the advancement of healthcare. Similarly, quantum algorithms can further chemical catalyses.

Kais said that quantum theory can also drive inverse engineering to create new devices and materials, as well as develop new methods for the security and privacy of data through federated quantum machine learning.

Kais plans to seek funding to build a center dedicated to quantum machine learning headquartered at NC State. This would be the first center devoted solely to quantum machine learning. 

“We hope that this will allow us to start building a critical mass for solving exciting problems in science and engineering at NC State,” Kais said. 

Kais served as the director of the Center of Quantum Information for Quantum Chemistry from 2010 to 2013, funded by the National Science Foundation. He also directed the Center for Quantum Technology at Purdue. 

Kais holds a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. From 1989 to 1994, he was a research associate in the Department of Chemistry at Harvard University. He joined Purdue University in 1994 as an assistant professor of Theoretical Chemistry and was promoted to distinguished professor of chemistry. Kais has published over 280 peer-reviewed articles and received numerous accolades, including a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Guggenheim Fellow, Purdue University Faculty Scholar,  National Science Foundation Career Award Fellow, 2012 Sigma Xi Research Award, and 2019 Herbert Newby McCoy Award.