Robert Loredo Named Executive Director of FAU Center for Quantum Technologies

Florida Atlantic University has appointed Robert Loredo as the executive director of its Center for Quantum Technologies to lead the university’s expanding research and workforce development initiatives. This leadership change occurs as FAU prepares to become the first Florida university to host a large-scale quantum computer on campus through a partnership with D-Wave Quantum Inc. The appointment signals a strategic push to strengthen Florida’s quantum ecosystem by bridging the gap between academic research, hardware accessibility, and industry-ready workforce training.

Robert Loredo officially assumed his role as executive director on July 1, bringing over two decades of experience in advanced computing and technical workforce development. Loredo is a prolific innovator with more than 270 patents and has previously led international education networks that trained over 300 quantum computing ambassadors across industry, academic, and government sectors. At FAU, he will oversee a comprehensive strategy focused on quantum research, algorithm development, and software innovation, ensuring that students and faculty can leverage evolving quantum platforms for real-world impact.

A central component of Loredo’s mandate is the integration of on-campus quantum hardware, specifically the installation of a D-Wave Advantage2 annealing system at the Boca Raton campus later this year. This system features more than 4,400 qubits and is designed to tackle complex optimization and modeling challenges that exceed the capabilities of classical computers. By hosting this infrastructure locally, FAU becomes a rare academic institution with direct on-site access, facilitating hands-on experimentation in fields such as logistics, materials science, and artificial intelligence.

Beyond hardware installation, FAU is expanding its regional influence by connecting to the Florida LambdaRail secure quantum network to foster collaborative research and quantum-safe communications. Gregg Fields, FAU’s vice president for research, emphasized that Loredo’s leadership will be instrumental in translating these technical capabilities into a quantum-ready workforce. The center aims to develop hybrid classical-quantum workflows and software tools that will remain relevant as the technology matures, positioning Florida as a growing hub for the commercialization of quantum technologies.