Purdue University names Michael Manfra as first chief quantum officer, role starts Jan. 1, 2026
purdue university announced at 12: 00 a. m. ET that quantum computing expert Michael Manfra has been appointed its first chief quantum officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The appointment was announced Tuesday, March 3, in West Lafayette, Indiana. The university says the new role is designed to strategically guide its quantum portfolio, expand education offerings, and deepen engagement with industry and government partners.
Purdue University appoints Manfra to newly established joint role
In the newly created post, Manfra will serve as a special advisor to Purdue President Mung Chiang and Provost Patrick Wolfe, with a mandate to integrate quantum research into the broader Purdue Computes initiative. Purdue described the position as a joint role, pairing strategy with coordination across research, partnerships, and education.
Manfra currently leads the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute (PQSEI) as director. Purdue identified him as the Bill and Dee O’Brien Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, a professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a professor of materials engineering.
Responsibilities: partnerships, education, and the quantum degrees program
Purdue said the chief quantum officer will guide its quantum portfolio, including engagement with industry and government partners and educational activities. The university also stated that Manfra will oversee Purdue’s newly launched quantum degrees program.
Purdue framed the move as workforce-driven, saying the need for highly skilled talent in quantum science and technology is expected to grow dramatically in the next decade. It also said it is preparing the next-generation quantum workforce through educational opportunities in quantum computing, communications, and sensing that combine theory with practical application.
Quantum science and engineering was described as a pillar of the Purdue Computes initiative, which the university said focuses on advancing research in computing, physical AI, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.
Immediate reactions from university leadership and Manfra
Provost Patrick Wolfe said the timing and the choice of leadership align with the university’s view of the field’s potential impact. “Mike is the right person, and now is the right time, for this appointment, given the potential of quantum technologies to transform our future, ” Wolfe said. Wolfe added that Manfra’s “strategic understanding of the broad and promising landscape in quantum science and engineering will position us well to advance and integrate our growing quantum research portfolio. ”
Manfra said he plans to continue working with university teams and to push toward practical outcomes. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Purdue teams that are advancing understanding and practical applications of quantum science, ” Manfra said. “We will also forge new partnerships with industry and government agencies to accelerate the translation of quantum science to useful technologies. ”
Quick context on Manfra’s research and industry experience
Purdue said Manfra is recognized globally as a groundbreaking researcher in quantum science and its applications to technology. The university said he led a team of Purdue scientists who demonstrated concrete evidence of the existence of anyons, a particle it described as particularly important in efforts to build a fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computer.
Purdue also highlighted Manfra’s decade as a research scientist at Bell Laboratories before he joined the Purdue faculty in 2009. The university said he became the scientific director of Microsoft Quantum, West Lafayette in 2016 before taking the PQSEI helm in 2025. Purdue also noted that Manfra was awarded the American Physical Society’s 2026 Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize for the experimental observation of anyons in two-dimensional electron systems.
What’s next as purdue university moves toward the 2026 start date
The chief quantum officer appointment takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and Purdue has positioned the role around coordination: integrating quantum research into Purdue Computes, overseeing the quantum degrees program, and expanding work with industry and government partners. The next milestones will be measured by how quickly those responsibilities are operationalized as the start date approaches and how purdue university structures leadership support around the new office.
