University of Otago’s Dr. Trainor Awarded Fellowship for Quantum Research

A significant advancement in quantum technology has been marked by the recent award of a prestigious fellowship to Dr. Trainor, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Otago. He has received the Royal Society Te Apārangi Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship, valued at $820,000 over four years. This funding will support his research into the potential applications of crystals in quantum memory storage, which could revolutionise computing, security, and networking technologies.

Dr. Trainor’s research focuses on specially lab-grown crystals that incorporate small amounts of rare earth elements, such as erbium and neodymium. These materials, known as rare-earth-doped magnetically ordered crystals, have shown promising capabilities for use in optical quantum memory systems, which could transform data storage methods.

To achieve optimal conditions for the practical application of this technology, Dr. Trainor and his team have discovered that cooling these crystals to temperatures even lower than those found in outer space, combined with laser pulse manipulation, allows for the storage and retrieval of single particles of light, or photons. He stated, “I have been using such crystals to store single particles of light — photons — and recall them, which could be used as part of a future quantum network.” His ongoing work aims to characterise these crystals further, seeking to identify the ideal conditions under which they operate most effectively.

Broader Impact and Additional Fellowships

Dr. Trainor is not the only researcher at the University of Otago to have received recognition through the Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowships. Fellow researchers such as Dr. Alice-Roza Eruera, Dr. Rebecca French, Dr. Caitlin Owen, and Dr. Wahineata Smith have also been awarded fellowships for their impactful studies.

Dr. Eruera will explore the evolution of ancient viruses to evaluate their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. Meanwhile, Dr. French aims to investigate whether viruses carried by rats in New Zealand could lead to human outbreaks. Dr. Owen is focused on developing a more transparent and energy-efficient system for automated machine learning, while Dr. Smith will study the experiences of Māori and Tongan families raising children with dual heritages.

Additionally, Prof. Neil Gemmell from Otago has earned the Royal Society Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship, worth $220,000. This fellowship will enable him to investigate the critical role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in human health, fertility, and ageing using advanced genetic tools. He commented that this research will enhance understanding of how the mitochondrial genome influences fitness, behaviour, and ageing in a sex-specific manner.

The recognition of these researchers underscores the University of Otago’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation in a variety of fields. The work being done has the potential not only to contribute to academic research but also to foster practical solutions that can benefit society at large.