Mickey Slimp, Executive Director of Great Plains Network, along with several members spoke with congressional aides about the future of quantum this week.
Dr. Chi-Ren Shyu, Dr. Wenchao Ge, and Dr. Marisa Chrysochoou from University of Missouri were joined by Dr. Ronald Reano and Dr. Ezekiel Johnston Halperin of the Ohio State University, Dr. Angela Kelly and Dr. Eden Figueroa of Stony Brook University. Dr. Harriet Kung of the US Department of Energy also joined them.
Mickey Slimp says: Many thanks to Chi-Ren Shyu, Marisa Chrysochoou and the University of Missouri-Columbia‘s Quantum Innovation Center for including the Great Plains Network in this week’s Congressional Briefing, “Winning the Quantum Race,” in Washington, DC. Joined by our friends from Stony Brook University and The Ohio State University, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the teams shared the role that quantum innovations will serve across our regions and the entire U.S.
The briefings were sponsored by and introduced by Congressmen
Mark Alford of Missouri and Nick LaLota of New York.
Chi-Ren Shyu says: The US Winning the Quantum Race requires more than advancing technology—it requires developing the people, partnerships, and regional ecosystems that turn quantum innovation into real-world impact.
It was a privilege to participate in today’s Congressional briefing, “Winning the Quantum Race,” and share how the University of Missouri is advancing quantum workforce development and strengthening Missouri’s regional quantum ecosystem.
I joined colleagues from Stony Brook University, The Ohio State University, and the U.S. Department of Energy on the workforce development panel, moderated by our Mizzou Dean of Engineering Marisa Chrysochoou.
At Mizzou, we are working to lower the barrier to entering quantum by equipping STEM talent with quantum knowledge and closing the gaps between research and real-world applications, and between education and workforce readiness. This includes hands-on experiences with real data, constraints, quantum computers, and mission-driven use cases.
Through the Mizzou Quantum Innovation Center, we are creating pathways into the field through interdisciplinary education, graduate programs, professional training, industry partnerships, and experiential learning.
I also recognized Great Plains Network (GPN) for connecting the regional network across nine states, and thanked Mickey Slimp for contributing to the regional effort. It was also great to see my EECS colleague Wenchao Ge representing Mizzou on the Research and Innovation panel.
Thank you to Congressman Mark Alford and Congressman Nick LaLota for sponsoring this important briefing, to Patrick Arens for the organization, and to my fellow panelists and colleagues for an excellent discussion.
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