Welcome to the inaugural QCORE Connections blog post. Quantum technologies are advancing faster than ever, transforming how we compute, sense, and communicate. QCORE exists to accelerate that momentum—providing academic researchers, industry partners, government agencies, and emerging talent with an accessible, collaborative platform to transform pioneering ideas into proven technologies.
Through QCORE, Montana State University is not just participating in the quantum era—we are helping lead it. From groundbreaking research and workforce development to national and global collaborations, QCORE is creating opportunities that will shape the future of quantum science and technology.
Welcome Message from the Director
Welcome to the inaugural QCORE Connections update.
Quantum technologies are advancing at an unprecedented pace, reshaping computing, sensing, and communication. QCORE was created to accelerate this momentum by providing academic researchers, industry partners, government agencies, and emerging talent with a collaborative platform to turn pioneering ideas into real-world technologies.
Through QCORE, Montana State University isn’t just participating in the quantum era—we’re helping lead it. From research and education to workforce development and global collaboration, we are creating opportunities that will have an impact for generations to come.
This update marks the beginning of regular communications highlighting the people, projects, and partnerships driving quantum innovation forward at QCORE.
Dr. Jayne Morrow
Director of QCORE
Launch Week at QCORE
Launch Week marked a major milestone for QCORE, bringing together researchers, industry leaders, government partners, and collaborators from across the quantum ecosystem. Throughout the week, the QCORE team opened the doors to the new facility, shared ongoing research and capabilities, and created space for conversations that will shape future collaborations.
The energy across technical sessions, panels, facility tours, and informal discussions reflected what QCORE is built on: a deeply collaborative team and a growing community aligned around advancing quantum technologies together.
That momentum extended beyond the building. Across social media, partners and attendees shared their perspectives on Launch Week, highlighting the strength of the QCORE team, Montana’s emerging role as a quantum hub, and the value of connecting academia, industry, and government to accelerate real-world impact.
Launch Week was not just about opening a building—it was about establishing QCORE as a collaborative foundation for the future of quantum science and technology.
QCORE Partnerships
The QCORE community is taking shape, and momentum continues to build. Over the past several months, QCORE has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading quantum companies, research institutions, and technology innovators.
These partnerships reflect QCORE’s growing role as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and discovery—connecting researchers, industry, and national laboratories to accelerate the quantum ecosystem in Montana and beyond.
Organizations interested in partnering with QCORE can learn more about membership benefits and collaboration opportunities by contacting:
Kala Radovich
Director of Strategic Partnerships
📧 kala.radovich@montana.edu
QCORE Highlights
Meeting Senator Steve Daines
October 31, 2025
QCORE welcomed Senator Steve Daines for an exclusive tour of the facility, providing a firsthand look at the cutting-edge research and innovation underway at Montana State University.
“Quantum research is at the forefront of today’s technological advancements and supports hundreds of Montana jobs. This quantum research facility at MSU will help our students learn critical skills for the workforce and contributes to America’s position as a global leader in technology,” said Senator Daines.
QCORE Out in the World: Governor-Led Trade Mission to Asia
October 18–25, 2025
QCORE CEO Dr. Jayne Morrow and CTO Dr. Krishna Rupavatharam joined Montana industry leaders in photonics, quantum, bioscience, and agriculture on a Governor-led trade mission to Japan and South Korea, led by Governor Greg Gianforte.
In South Korea, the delegation visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), participated in the Montana–Daejeon City Quantum Computing and Photonics Technology Development and Investment Forum, and met with the Federation of Korean Industries.
In Japan, meetings were hosted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and included a tour of AIST’s Quantum-AI Fusion Technology Business Development Global Research Center (G-QuAT).
QCORE at the QED-C Cryogenics Workshop
September 25, 2025 | Charlotte, NC
QCORE CEO Dr. Jayne Morrow joined Dr. Thomas Rust and colleagues from across the cryogenic industry at the QED-C Cryogenics Workshop, hosted in conjunction with the AVS 71st International Symposium & Exhibition.
QCORE at the Chicago Quantum Summit
November 3–4, 2025 | Chicago, IL
QCORE’s Chief Innovation Officer Magali Eaton and Education & Workforce Development Lead Suzi Taylor participated in the Chicago Quantum Summit, hosted by the Chicago Quantum Exchange.
The event brought together state, national, and global leaders from industry, academia, and government, featuring sessions on cutting-edge research, commercialization, real-world applications, and the societal impacts of quantum technologies.
Industry Engagement Highlights
Visit from QuEra Computing
September 18, 2025
QCORE welcomed Nate Gemelke, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Strategist at QuEra Computing, for a full day of collaboration.
During his visit, Nate met with industry partners to explore collaboration opportunities and discuss quantum and quantum-adjacent supply chain solutions. The day concluded with a seminar that sparked strong discussion among faculty, students, and researchers around QuEra’s mission to deliver powerful and scalable quantum technologies.
Innovation Ecosystem Spotlight
Nurturing Innovation and Entrepreneurship at QCORE
For this inaugural update, QCORE highlights Magali Eaton, Chief Innovation Officer. Magali leads QCORE’s research translation efforts and supports startup development across QCORE and Montana State University.
Her work focuses on building mentor networks, training programs, funding pathways, and access to state-of-the-art facilities to help transform research into products—and products into companies. The program supports both MSU innovators and industry innovators, regardless of prior affiliation with MSU.
Over the past decade, Magali has helped more than 600 teams translate research into impact. More than 100 of those teams formed startup companies that collectively raised over $550 million in grants, venture capital, and other funding.
Magali is supported by mentors in residence, a dedicated program team, and a broad network of industry partners. On a personal note, she also operates a small farm focused on innovative honey, egg, and wool production—and occasionally brings a feathered visitor to the business incubator.
Organizations or teams interested in innovation support can contact:
📧 magali.eaton@montana.edu
Education & Student Opportunities
New Course Alert
PHSX 491: Introduction to Quantum Computing
Spring 2026 | Instructor: Dr. Hang Yu
This one-semester, introductory course covers quantum mechanics fundamentals, quantum circuits, representative quantum algorithms, and physical realizations of quantum computing. The course is math-based and open to junior and senior undergraduates and early graduate students in physics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, or computer science.
Student Organization Highlight: Graduate QBits
Graduate QBits is an MSU student organization focused on social events, professional development, and networking with startups and professionals in the quantum industry through QCORE.
- Meetings: Monthly during the semester at QCORE (EngineWorks)
- Membership: Open to all currently enrolled MSU students
- Dues: None
Learn more:
https://montanastate.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/montanaqbits
Events & Community Highlights
Innovation Community Dinner
December 5, 2025
QCORE hosted an Innovation Community Dinner focused on connection, celebration, and exploring innovative ideas at the intersection of quantum and healthcare.
QCORE Seminar Series
Weekly Wednesdays at 4:10 PM | EngineWorks
November 5, 2025
- Brian D’Urso, Associate Professor, Physics
Quantum Limits of Position Detection in Levitated Optomechanics - Andrew Lingley, Research Engineer, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Microfabrication: The Invisible Industry
November 12, 2025
- Josh Dugre, Research Professional, Spectrum Lab
- Owen Wolfe, Research Scientist, MSU–Spectrum Lab
November 19, 2025
- Parvinder Gill, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advances in Photonic Packaging for Quantum Photonic Architectures - Trent Jackson, Senior Research Engineer, Spectrum Lab
Airborne Free-Space Optical (FSO) Systems and Emerging Applications
December 8, 2025
- Pierce (John) Fix, Graduate Research Assistant, Materials Science
Bandgap Engineering of 2D Semiconductors for Quantum and Optoelectronic Technologies
Get Involved / Stay Connected
Interested in collaborating, sponsoring, or learning more about QCORE?
Reach out to connect with our team and explore opportunities to engage.
