Ruijuan Xu, assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering at NC State University, has been selected as a Fellow for the 2025–2027 Scialog: Quantum Matter and Information initiative, a prestigious program that brings together early-career researchers from across the U.S. to accelerate interdisciplinary breakthroughs in quantum science.
Scialog (short for “science + dialog”) is designed to spark high-impact collaborations between theorists and experimentalists exploring the frontiers of quantum coherence, entanglement, quantum-to-classical transitions, and novel quantum materials. Dr. Xu is one of only a handful of materials scientists chosen to join this highly selective cohort, which includes faculty from physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering at top research institutions nationwide.
As a Scialog Fellow, Xu will collaborate with peers across disciplines to tackle pressing scientific challenges and propose innovative research directions. The initiative prioritizes creative thinking, fresh partnerships, and bold proposals that could shape the future of quantum technologies, spanning quantum computing, precision sensing, and new materials for quantum devices.
Xu’s inclusion highlights the growing strength of NC State in quantum research and reinforces the Department of Materials Science and Engineering’s role in pioneering technologies that bridge fundamental science and real-world impact. Her expertise in advanced materials and device fabrication will contribute a vital perspective to the cohort’s mission to explore quantum phenomena through diverse and collaborative inquiry.
The program is co-sponsored by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and includes mentorship from senior leaders in quantum science, structured workshops, and seed funding opportunities to support new collaborative research projects.