Team

Dr. Shabir Barzanjeh, Associate Professor

My research goals encompass both experimental and theoretical investigations into the dynamics and interactions of nanofabricated electrical, mechanical, and photonic quantum circuits. Building upon my extensive expertise in superconducting circuit QED, which I acquired while working in the esteemed group of David DiVincenzo at RWTH Aachen, I have been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship to serve as a postdoctoral fellow in Johannes Fink’s group. A notable contribution of my scientific research is the proposal of a groundbreaking microwave-optical photon conversion technique based on mechanical resonators. This pioneering work has opened up a novel avenue for the coherent conversion of optical photons to microwave photons, leading to the realization of microwave-optical quantum teleportation. Furthermore, I have played developed the concept of quantum radar (sensor) and have proposed a prototype for microwave Quantum Illumination. By integrating my expertise in superconducting circuits, nanofabrication techniques, and quantum optics, I aim to make significant contributions to the field of quantum information science.

Taras Hrushevskyi, Research Assistant

I received my MSc. degree in Physics from the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Lindsay Leblanc in 2017. My Master’s project was focused on building an apparatus for Bose-Einstein condensate production. After graduation, I stayed in the Ultracold quantum gases laboratory at the University of Alberta as Research Assistant. During my work, I participated in ultracold quantum gases and atomic quantum memories projects. In June 2021 I joined Dr. Barzanjeh’s team as Research Assistant.  My main project here is an experimental implementation of quantum optical coherence tomography.

Dr. Shirin Afzal, Post Doc

Starting in 2015, I became a member of Prof. Vien Van’s team at the nanophotonic research lab and completed my Ph.D. in 2021 at the University of Alberta. During my time there, I actively collaborated with the team and gained valuable experience in modeling, simulation, design, and testing of photonic devices. My Ph.D. thesis, which focused on Floquet (periodically-driven) topological photonic insulators based on microring resonators, was recognized with the prestigious George Walker Award in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Alberta as the top Ph.D. thesis in the field. In the autumn of 2021, I embarked on a new phase of my academic journey by joining Prof. Barzanjeh’s group as a postdoctoral researcher. This exciting opportunity allows me to continue my exploration and investigation of mechanical and photonic quantum circuits, both theoretically and experimentally. Through this endeavor, I aim to contribute further to these fields and expand my expertise in cutting-edge research.

Danial Davoudi, Ph. D. Student

I received my B.Sc. degree in condensed matter physics from Shahid Beheshti University in Iran, and obtained my master’s degree from the University of Stuttgart in Germany, where I worked on the magnetic properties of Kondo Insulators in Prof. Dressel’s Lab. Following that, I was employed as a test engineer to work on force and torque sensors in the R&D department of magnetic-sense GmbH. I then worked as a research assistant in the quantum optomechanics field in Dr. Sungkun Hong’s Lab at the University of Stuttgart. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) in Dr. Barzanjeh’s Lab, where my research work focuses on superconducting quantum circuits.

Armin Tabesh, Ph. D. Student

I have been awarded a bachelor’s degree in physics, and condensed matter, from Shahid Beheshti University, Iran, in Sept. 2019. My main interests during the undergraduate studies were numerical simulations in quantum mechanics and solid-state physics, the fundamentals of quantum computing, and in the last year of my program, quantum optics. I joined Dr. Barzanjeh’s research group in January 2021, and my main research topic is Microwave-Optical photon conversion, superconducting circuits and hybrid quantum systems.

Mayte Y. Li Gomez, Ph. D. Student

I am a master’s student in Science-Physics at the University of Calgary, interested in studying the applications of quantum mechanics in biology, computing, and information. I received my BSc. in 2019 from UCLA where I did a double major in Physics and Applied Mathematics. After graduating, I did research (2019-2021) in the experimental quantum optics lab at the Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares UNAM (ICN-UNAM) in Mexico, where I investigated the effects of temporal correlations in entangled two-photon absorption. I joined Dr. Barzanjeh’s research team during the summer of 2021 and will be working on my research on quantum optical coherence tomography, among other quantum imaging and sensing projects.

Abdul Mohamed, Ph. D. Student

I was awarded my bachelor’s degree in physics with honours from Brandon University in 2019. My thesis research involved using data collected of our Milky Way Galaxy by the Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope H1 survey. I took data from the survey and developed code to calculate rotation curves and the approximate mass of the inner section of the Milky Way Galaxy. During the summer I worked on studying the effects of Plasma Lensing on EM waves. From these projects I found a deep passion for understanding how sensing technologies could be made better. I joined Dr. Barzanjeh’s research group in September 2021 and began my Master’s degree which transitioned into a PhD, studying quantum limited amplification and quantum sensing on superconducting technologies, specifically in subjects of vacuum squeezing, path entanglement, and coupled hybrid systems. My goal is to develop novel, commercial ultra-sensing technologies based on quantum mechanics, bringing practical solutions to industry and society. 

Kayla McArthur, MSc. Student

In May 2023 I joined the Barzanjeh lab as a summer intern. My project was developing a system to fabricate micro optical tapered fibers. In the last year of my undergraduate, I continued working in the lab for my undergraduate research thesis, which focused on theory for quantum imaging and sensing techniques. In June of 2024, I completed my BSc. in Physics at the University of Calgary. In September of 2024, I will start my MSc. in Physics with the IHQC lab. My thesis will focus on implementing machine learning for quantum imaging techniques.

Brendan MacKay, MSc. Student

I began my Master’s journey in Physics at the University of Calgary in May 2024. My research explores the fascinating world of superconducting systems, guided by Dr. Shabir Barzanjeh. My academic journey started with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Mathematics. For my undergraduate Honours Thesis, I worked on developing an optical fiber tapering and dimpling system under Dr. Barzanjeh’s supervision, enhancing various optics experiments in our lab.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am a member of the Canadian Ski Team. My most notable achievements in Halfpipe Skiing include competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics, and securing the World Championship title in 2023. These experiences have instilled a resilience and precision that I carry into my scientific endeavours.

Spencer Mung, Undergraduate

I started my degree in physics in 2021 at the University of Calgary. During my studies I have taken a particular interest in programming, and am happy to have the opportunity to use the skills I’ve learned in Dr. Barzanjeh’s group. I joined as an intern in May 2024 and I assist by testing and calibrating the measurement equipment used for quantum sensing.

Jonah Richards, Undergraduate

In 2020, I began a combined BSc. program in Physics and Computer Science at the University of Calgary. Enjoying the hands-on elements of lab work, I am working towards a career in experimental physics. In May, 2024, I joined Dr. Barzanjeh’s group, currently developing quantum technologies for microscopy. I will assist the group in applying machine learning techniques to quantum sensing and imaging.

Mackenzie Bowal, Undergraduate

I began my combined degree in Computer Science and Business at the University of Calgary in 2019, gaining experience in human-computer interaction, data analytics, and financial audits. I have always had a special passion for quantum computing and technology, and am excited to be part of Dr. Barzanjeh’s lab where I assist the team with image processing and machine learning on the quantum optical microscope project.