OUTREACH 

MHRI Fellowship (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027)

As part of the Medical Humanities Research Institute (MHRI), this project examines how emerging quantum computing methodologies for medical imaging and clinical data analysis may impact patient trust, clinical interpretation, and healthcare governance/public policy. While quantum and hybrid- quantum-classical models are being explored for tasks such as image segmentation, feature extraction, and predictive modeling, their introduction into healthcare raises important questions beyond technical performance.

From a medical humanities perspective, this project asks: How do highly abstract computational methods, such as quantum models, affect trust in diagnosis among patients and clinicians? How might these systems change how medical decisions are explained, justified, and understood? What ethical and policy considerations arise when transitioning from classical to quantum-enabled diagnostic tools?

The project will have a co-mentor, Dr. Rachel Glen, a Medical Physics Fellow Resident in the Department of Imaging Physics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. See here for application details.

SURF Mentorship (Summer 2026)

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) is a program for undergraduate students from underresourced backgrounds who are interested in pursuing supervised research with a Rice faculty member over the summer. No prior research experience is required, and preference will be given to first- and second-year students without previous experience. See here for application details.

In the PTL research project, the student will delve into the exciting field of quantum computing by focusing on compilation solutions for variational quantum circuits. The project will provide a unique opportunity for the student to work at the intersection of quantum computing and compilation, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the field.