Nishaant Jacobus, a student from Paul Brumer's group, has completed his undergraduate degree with some of the highest honours an undergraduate physics student can receive at the University of Toronto (U of T).
Jacobus has been involved with CQIQC in many ways throughout his undergraduate education. He has presented at the biennial CQIQC conference, has been a student in the Undergraduate Summer Research Program, and has worked under the supervision of Brumer, a CQIQC member, on research focused on the theory of quantum chemical dynamics.
In the fall, he will begin his graduate education at the chemistry department at MIT, where he will study quantum materials, open quantum systems, and quantum information science.
"I plan to continue pursuing theoretical research projects, but I also hope to frequently collaborate with experimentalists," Jacobus says. "I am particularly interested in the development of noise-resistant platforms that could be used to build quantum computers."
He adds that his long-term goal is to continue in research, either in academia or in industry, with a focus on theory that helps lead to the experimental implementation of quantum technologies.
Here's a closer look at his recent honours.
The 2025-26 Loudon-Hines Gold Medal in Physics
Awarded to a physics student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, creativity and exceptional promise, the 2025-26 Loudon-Hines Gold Medal in Physics has been awarded to Jacobus. The award is given annually and it is named for James Loudon, the first Canadian-born Professor of Physics at U of T and later university president, and Colin O. Hines, who was a world-renowned U of T atmospheric physicist and mathematician.
Governor General's Silver Medal
Each campus at the University of Toronto nominates two outstanding students for the Governor General's Academic Medal, with the Silver Medal being awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a University of Toronto undergraduate program. Established in 1873 by Lord Dufferin, it is considered to be the most prestigious academic award that a U of T student can achieve.
Read about this achievement and a Q&A with Jacobus on Chemistry Stories.