During the University of Chicago’s 539th Convocation, the Class of 2025 was called to lead with courage, push past limits, and help shape a stronger future. According to the university, each UChicago class has contributed to a legacy of discovery and learning.
On June 5, the University of Chicago announced the establishment of the Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine, which aims to integrate quantum technology with biology to revolutionize the future of medicine and patient care.
Founded with a $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren, the center will pioneer a new field that combines quantum technology and biology to drive advancements in medical research.
According to the University of Chicago’s press release, this interdisciplinary initiative aims to harness the capabilities of quantum engineering, renowned for its ability to conduct the most sensitive measurements in science, to gain unprecedented insights into the human body.
The goal is to uncover biological and disease-related insights that were previously inaccessible, ultimately paving the way for new diagnostics and therapies.
The Berggren Center will be located within the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.
It will utilize the university’s strengths in quantum science, biomedical research, and clinical care.
The center is built on two primary objectives: to propel the development of quantum tools for biomedical applications and to cultivate a new generation of scientists and engineers who can translate quantum advancements into clinical solutions.
Funding will support fellowships to train interdisciplinary scholars, initiate technical development projects, and organize conferences aimed at building a community around quantum biology and medicine.
According to the University of Chicago, campus researchers are already at the forefront of this emerging field.
For instance, Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering Peter Maurer, Professor of Medicine Alexander T. Pearson, and Professor of Immunoengineering Aaron Esser-Kahn are collaborating to develop quantum-enabled identifiers that can track individual immune cells in real-time.
This innovative technology could eventually enable the simultaneous monitoring of thousands of cells, providing new insights into inflammation and cancer, and facilitating more precise and personalized treatments.
The Berggren Center will be co-directed by Greg Engel, a professor at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Department of Chemistry, and Julian Solway, a professor of medicine and the founding director of the Institute for Translational Medicine.
Engel and Solway have a history of collaboration through the NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Quantum Sensing for Biophysics and Bioengineering, which focuses on creating quantum imaging tools that surpass classical limits.
Solway, who has dedicated his career to fostering collaborative frameworks for accelerating medical discovery, stated that the Berggren Center represents the next frontier in translational science.
It brings together quantum physicists, engineers, and clinicians to develop a new scientific language with the potential to transform understanding and treatment.
Berggren’s commitment includes both endowed funds for long-term sustainability and immediate funding for current initiatives.
At UChicago’s 539th Convocation, the Class of 2025 was called to lead with courage, push past limits and shape a stronger future—together.
Learn more: https://t.co/75PZKIo1VJ
— The University of Chicago (@UChicago) June 7, 2025
A $21 million gift from philanthropist Thea Berggren to UChicago will establish a new center in quantum engineering and health housed at @UChicagoPME —a pioneering effort that aims to transform the future of medicine.
Learn more: https://t.co/c6VyQIAjoh
— The University of Chicago (@UChicago) June 5, 2025
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