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As our world becomes increasingly connected, ideas move faster than they ever did before. New global challenges are emerging that require researchers to venture outside the boundaries of their traditional fields. To catalyze progress, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and the Azrieli Foundation launched a new initiative, CIFAR-Azrieli Global Scholars, supporting early-career academics in a range of interdisciplinary areas from clean energy, child and brain development, to learning in machines and brains, quantum computing, quantum materials, and economics. Global Scholars are awarded $100,000 CDN in undesignated research support, as well as a two-year appointment to one of CIFAR’s research programs.

True to its nature of Asia’s Global University, HKU is the first East Asian institution featuring in the program, with Giulio Chiribella, associate professor at the Computer Science Department, joining the first cohort of CIFAR-Azrieli Global Scholars. Chiribella came to HKU in August 2015 from Tsinghua University, where he previously served as an associate professor and member of the Young 1000 Talents Program of China. His research interest is in quantum information science, an interdisciplinary area at the intersection of computer science, physics, and applied mathematics.  

The power of nowadays computers is the result of a trend of hardware miniaturization lasted for about four decades. But as time proceeds, we are rapidly approaching the scale where the laws of quantum physics become dominant. At that scale, particles behave in strange new ways that challenge our intuition and puzzled generations of physicists. Still, the challenge comes with great opportunities. Harnessing the quantum laws can lead to unprecedented computational power and to a new generation of information technologies. The goal of quantum information science is to implement this vision, by designing and building new quantum-enhanced devices. Chiribella takes part of this endeavor, combining the design of new technologies with an original research line on the foundations of quantum mechanics. In his work, he addresses one of CIFAR’s core questions: “Where does the power of quantum computation come from?” His best-known work “Informational Derivation of Quantum Theory” proposes six principles that uniquely identify quantum mechanics and shed new light on the power of quantum computers.  “The beauty of the principles” says Chiribella “is that they give us a unified way to understand much of what was done so far and, at the same time, they help us developing new applications and new technologies. By taking a foundational approach, we have a unique opportunity to share the world of quantum mechanics with a broader public and to bring fresh new knowledge from academia to the public.”

Chiribella’s group is now exploring how quantum devices can be controlled with minimum amounts of resources, with applications ranging from energy-efficient computing to quantum sensor networks and to the simulation of complex systems. “In addition to the research ahead” says Chiribella “what I find exciting about the CIFAR-Azrieli Program is the opportunity to be part of a global network that joins many of the leading scientists in my field. I am thrilled to the idea that, with the support and mentoring of the CIFAR network, our group at HKUCS could contribute to the growth of quantum information in Hong Kong, as well as the development of a vibrant international hub for cutting-edge research in the field.”