Renowned physicist Charles W. Clark joins QLab as Fellow
QLab is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Charles W. Clark as a Fellow. A globally recognized leader in quantum science, Dr. Clark joins QLab with a distinguished career spanning basic and applied research, executive management in government and industry, and extensive service to the scientific community. His deep expertise in matter- and light-wave interferometry, ultracold quantum matter, and the application of artificial intelligence to quantum systems aligns perfectly with QLab’s goal of advancing next-generation quantum technologies.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Dr. Clark’s career is defined by his dual commitment to scientific discovery and institutional leadership. He previously served as the Co-Director of the Joint Quantum Institute (JQI) from 2011 to 2016 and as Chief of the Electron and Optical Physics Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for twenty years. During his tenure at NIST, he was instrumental in advancing atomic, molecular, and optical physics, earning him the rank of NIST Fellow in 2010 and the prestigious U.S. Department of Commerce Gold Medal in 2011 and 2004.
In addition to his public service, Dr. Clark has held key roles in the private sector, currently serving as Executive Vice President at ScienceCast, Inc. and Chief Research Scientist at Aspen Quantum Consulting. His ability to bridge the gap between academic research, government initiatives, and industrial applications will be invaluable to QLab’s mission of fostering a robust quantum ecosystem.
Commitment to Education and Mentorship
Beyond his research accolades, Dr. Clark is a dedicated educator who has shaped the careers of numerous young scientists. He has supervised doctoral theses at the University of Maryland and other institutions, guiding students who have gone on to win major awards, including the American Physical Society Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research. He was also a pioneer in online education, co-creating the "Exploring Quantum Physics" Coursera course, which has enrolled over 100,000 students worldwide.
Dr. Clark’s academic lineage traces back to the University of Chicago, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1979 under the supervision of Ugo Fano. He remains an active figure in the global physics community, holding fellowships in the American Physical Society, Optica (formerly OSA), the Institute of Physics, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
At QLab, Dr. Clark will continue his research into the frontiers of quantum science while mentoring the next generation of quantum researchers.