Brian Demarco

Background

About Brian Demarco

Brian DeMarco is a Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research program focuses on using atoms, molecules, and light to advance the frontier of quantum information science and technology. He is the Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST), which supports the $150M+ quantum research portfolio at UIUC. DeMarco is also the PI and Director of the Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN), which is one of five $25M national centers launched by the NSF under the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act. The goal of HQAN is to develop the fundamental science and technology to enable distributed quantum networking and computing on hybrid hardware platforms. DeMarco has a strong interest in education and served as the Associate Head of Undergraduate Programs in Physics at UIUC from 2018–2021. As Associate Head, DeMarco was responsible for supervising the staff and programs that delivered instruction to students per year, including 550 physics majors. In this role, DeMarco made significant changes to enhance the student experience by consolidating redundant degree programs and strengthening student support. Prof. DeMarco also managed the transition to remote instruction, crossover to hybrid learning, and return in-person instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic for the UIUC Physics teaching enterprise. Prof. DeMarco has an active portfolio of national security consulting, especially in the intersection with science and technology. He was a member of the Defense Sciences Study Group class of 2016–2018. DeMarco has also been a member of the National Academies of Sciences Intelligence Science and Technology Experts Group (ISTEG) since 2015. ISTEG is a diverse group of 200 experts across the broad range of science, technology, and medicine. DeMarco is committed to national service and service to the society. Prof. DeMarco served as the Chair of the NASA Fundamental Physical Sciences Standing Review Board from 2017-2021. In this role, DeMarco supported the Cold Atom Lab mission and helped to negotiate the BECCAL follow on mission, which is a bi-lateral partnership between NASA and DLR. He also led a key community visioning activity in 2017, which has shaped the modern US quantum space science enterprise. DeMarco is currently on the chairline of the APS Panel on Public Affairs (POPA) and the chair of the POPA national security subcomittee.