TN-QuMat: Tennessee Quantum Materials Workforce Development and Training, an R2-HBCU-ORNL Partnership

The Tennessee Quantum Materials Workforce Development and Training (TN-QuMat) program is a strategic partnership between Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with additional collaboration from the University of Michigan. This project aims to increase participation of underrepresented groups in quantum materials research by providing comprehensive training, targeted mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, from three non-R1 emerging research universities in Middle Tennessee.

The TN-QuMAT program will be organized around three primary research thrusts: (1) many-body theory and simulation of disordered quantum materials, (2) ab initio studies of topologically nontrivial quantum materials, and (3) synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional quantum structures. Each year, the program will recruit a cohort of diverse students from participating institutions and train them in theoretical, computational, and experimental skills aligned with DOE priorities. To meet training needs across educational levels, TN-QuMAT will offer initiatives such as the AMPLIFY Scholars Program for undergraduates, combining hands-on research, mentorship, and summer internships at ORNL. It will bridge classroom learning with practical research, building foundational quantum materials skills. Graduate students and postdocs will receive project-based training from both ORNL scientists and university advisors. This partnership enhances their technical skills and professional development by exposing them to national lab resources. Furthermore, faculty involvement will strengthen research expertise at the universities and foster closer ties between academia and national laboratory. TN-QuMat will also provide professional development opportunities for trainees, guiding them in career planning, effective communication, presentation skills, and applications for careers in academia, national labs, and industry, while offering networking opportunities that further equip them for successful STEM careers.

Through such an integrated approach that combines research, training, and mentorship, TN-QuMat will prepare diverse trainees from underrepresented groups in Middle Tennessee for impactful STEM careers, while simultaneously enhancing research capacity and expertise within partnering institutions. By establishing a collaborative infrastructure, TN-QuMat will foster sustainable research programs across these institutions. This project aligns directly with the DOE's BES-RENEW initiative, aiming to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in quantum science and cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive research community.

This research was selected for funding by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES)