Milestones, people, and the work of establishing SQT Lab's Toronto chapter.
The next chapter · 2026
The Superconducting Qubit Toronto Lab is launching at the University of Toronto in 2026, beginning its next chapter after the group’s work at UMass Amherst. The lab continues to pursue experimental quantum information science with superconducting circuits, while building new connections across Toronto’s quantum research community.
All of our lab equipment, including three dilution refrigerators, has safely arrived at McLennan Physics Lab at the University of Toronto. The equipment is currently in storage, marking another major milestone in our move from Amherst to Toronto.
Our Plassys evaporator has arrived in the TNFC cleanroom in the Pratt Engineering Building. It took a long afternoon of teamwork to lower it onto its wheels and maneuver it into and out of an elevator with barely enough clearance in all three dimensions. A tight fit, and another milestone in establishing our Toronto lab!
Our lab packing is reaching a milestone: dilution fridges are entering their temporary home for transit as the group prepares for its move to Toronto.
Construction of the new SQT Lab is in its late stage. The mechanical structure and utility backbone, including air handling, chilled water, and electrical systems, are mostly complete. We are now preparing for an anticipated late October move-in, followed by installation of the equipment and experiments that will bring the Toronto lab online.
Shruti Shirol successfully defended her PhD in July 2026. She is now joining Q-CTRL, where she will continue her work in quantum control.
Sean van Geldern successfully defended his PhD thesis on bosonic error correction with two-mode codes and a fluxonium ancilla. He has accepted a postdoctoral role with SQT Lab, helping guide the group through its transition to Toronto.