Thomas A. Searles
University of Illinois at Chicago
Thomas A. Searles is a quantum engineer, and experimental condensed matter physicist, from Albany, GA. He graduated from Morehouse College (BS) and Rice University with a PhD in Applied Physics. In 2021, Searles joined the University of Illinois Chicago as an Associate Professor, under the University System’s Distinguished Faculty Recruitment Program. Prior to UIC, he was a Martin Luther King Visiting Professor at MIT and the Director of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center.
Prof. Searles currently leads a multi-year multimillion dollar consortium for quantum engineering education sponsored by Department of Energy. In recognition for his research in light-matter interactions and his capability to mentor students in Physics and Engineering, Thomas was awarded the inaugural AIP-NSBP Joseph A. Johnson Award for Excellence and an NSF CAREER Award. Recently, Thomas was appointed as an APS DLS Distinguished Traveling Lecturer and member-at-large of the US National Committee for Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, National Academies.
