Work Aimed at Increasing Computer Security Earns CAREER Award
Electrical engineering Professor Qian Wang has received a CAREER award for her research into quantum computing.
She is the 42nd researcher from UC Merced to earn a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
CAREER awards are among the NSF's most prestigious awards. They are given through the Faculty Early Career Development Program to recognize untenured faculty members as teacher-scholars. Early-career faculty members are selected based on three factors: the strength of their research proposals; their potential to serve as academic role models in research and education; and their leadership in their field and organizations.
Wang will receive $600,000 over the next five years for the project "Securing and Optimizing Quantum-Resilient Cryptography for Versatile Computing Architectures."
Wang's Sequioa lab focuses on hardware-centered security in the post-quantum and quantum computing era. As quantum computers keep improving, they could eventually break encryption methods currently in use, putting a lot of modern digital systems at risk.
"We are entering the quantum era, yet the security of quantum computing systems remains largely underexplored," Wang said. "As quantum computers advance rapidly and threaten the cryptographic foundations of today's digital infrastructure, our project focuses on improving both the performance and security of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms so they can be widely adopted in real-world systems. By enabling a smooth and secure transition to quantum-resistant infrastructure, this work will help protect critical data and services while strengthening national cybersecurity readiness."
She has been with UC Merced since 2024, after working as a research scientist at Intel.
"We are privileged to have Professor Wang with us. Her time at Intel and her selection of research topics enables our students to gain knowledge and skills related to some of today's most pressing problems," said Professor Sarah Kurtz , Department of Electrical Engineering chair.
Each CAREER award proposal includes an educational outreach component.
Quantum computing is rapidly transforming the future of computing, creating a growing demand for a quantum-ready workforce. This project will integrate quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography concepts into courses, laboratories and student research activities at UC Merced. Undergraduate and graduate students will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art quantum technologies and security challenges.
She was honored to learn about the CAREER award.
"This support will enable us to advance the security and performance of next-generation quantum and post-quantum computing systems while providing valuable research and educational opportunities for students," Wang said. "I am grateful to my collaborators, students and mentors whose contributions have made this work possible."