The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has appointed Dr. Rick Mukherjee as the inaugural director of its Quantum Center, a division of the UTC Research Institute. Chosen in mid-2024, Dr. Mukherjee officially assumed the position on December 1. This marks a significant step toward building a top-tier Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) program at UTC.
With $3.5 million in funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the UTC Quantum Center will focus on infrastructure, education, case-driven research, and business development to secure its long-term sustainability. “UTC’s dedication to advancing quantum research showcases its vision for shaping technological innovation,” Dr. Mukherjee remarked, also praising EPB’s involvement in quantum networks as emblematic of Chattanooga’s forward-thinking spirit.
Before joining UTC, Dr. Mukherjee worked in Hamburg, Germany, since 2022. His previous roles include a research associate position at Imperial College London (2018–2022), a visiting scientist role at Harvard University in 2017, and a visiting scholar post at IISER Bhopal (2017–2018). He also completed postdoctoral research at Rice University in 2017.
Dr. Mukherjee’s academic background includes a doctorate from the Max Planck Institute in Dresden, Germany, and two master’s degrees—one in theoretical physics from the University of Cambridge and another in astrophysics from Jacobs University in Bremen, Germany. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from St. Xavier’s University, Mumbai.
UTC Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann emphasized that the Quantum Center opens new opportunities for students, local communities, and research collaborations with other institutions. This initiative builds on UTC’s recent achievements, including hosting the nation’s first commercially available quantum network, created by EPB, and becoming a founding member of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative in 2023.
The Center’s focus on QISE is expected to position Chattanooga as a hub for quantum research and innovation, bolstered by partnerships and cutting-edge technology.
