Hardavellas and dos Reis Named Awardees of NQAC Quantum Grand Challenges Program
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the five winning projects at the closing keynote of Northwestern’s Quantum Week
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker addressed quantum industry leaders, research scientists, and government officials on April 24 at a keynote event that was one of the highlights of Northwestern’s inaugural Quantum Week.
Pritzker hailed the University’s research strengths and industry partnerships as key to Illinois’ broader strategy, which includes the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) now under development in Chicago.
“I’m here because Northwestern is an integral part of the nation’s best quantum hub that we’re building here in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “Illinois’ world-class academic and research institutions have long been at the center of our vision for a quantum future.”
In partnership with the National Quantum Algorithm Center (NQAC) at the IQMP, Pritkzer announced awards in the Grand Challenges program, an initiative designed to advance quantum applications development in critical areas where quantum computing can address society’s most pressing problems.
Among the five awardees, Northwestern Engineering’s Nikos Hardavellas and Roberto dos Reis will collaborate with IBM and Abbvie on “A Hamiltonian Simulation Compiler for Drug Design and Materials Discovery.” The project focuses on democratizing access to quantum systems for simulating molecular interactions relevant to drug discovery and materials design. By developing computational tools that allow scientists from research domains outside of quantum computing to work with quantum computers more easily, this project will help accelerate the use of quantum applications for developing new drugs and improved materials.
Hardavellas is a professor of computer science and electrical and computer engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering. dos Reis is a research assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Northwestern Engineering, scientific officer of the Dravid Research Group, and member of the Northwestern University’s Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization Experimental (NUANCE) Center.
Funded by P33, Northwestern University, and the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the awards will support post-doctoral researchers working on quantum algorithm R&D in close collaboration with IQMP quantum companies and industrial partners.
“Our 2026 Grand Challenges awardees are already doing groundbreaking work in quantum applications – an impact that will only grow in collaboration with the top scientists, companies, and industry leaders assembling at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park,” Pritzker said. “We are well on our way to becoming the undisputed hub of the quantum world, and I look forward to seeing how these innovators shape the future and unleash the potential of this transformational new technology.”
Quantum technologies have the potential to drive new industries and accelerate existing ones, from secure communications to advanced materials and biomedical breakthroughs, positioning the state for long-term economic growth, Pritzker said.
Northwestern plays a central role in that ecosystem through efforts such as the Institute for Quantum Information Research and Engineering (INQUIRE), which led Quantum Week programming in partnership with Illinois Economic Development Corporation, as well as its broader strengths in materials science, engineering, and interdisciplinary research.