Syracuse Sun

Alexander Maloney has been installed as the inaugural Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science at the College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University. The installation took place on April 14, marking a significant addition to the faculty.

Maloney, a noted figure in quantum information science, began his tenure at Syracuse University in 2024. His research explores the intersections of quantum information theory, field theory, statistical mechanics, and quantum gravity.

The professorship was established with a $2.5 million donation from Syracuse University Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Kathy Walters and her husband, Stan, as part of the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program. This initiative aims to recruit and retain top-tier faculty members.

The installation ceremony featured speeches from Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost, and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi, and Chancellor Kent Syverud. Maloney also addressed attendees after receiving his medallion. Mortazavi remarked, “This endowed professorship represents a bold investment in the future of discovery, and the College of Arts and Sciences is proud to be home to both this research and Professor Maloney.”

Maloney brings a distinguished career to Syracuse. Previously, he served as James McGill Professor of Physics and Sir William Macdonald Chair in Physics at McGill University. He was honored with the John David Jackson Award for teaching excellence and has held positions at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. A 2013 Simons Fellow in Theoretical Physics, Maloney holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University and degrees in mathematics and physics from Stanford University.

At Syracuse, Maloney will focus on advancing teaching and research in quantum science, offering students the chance to explore nature and develop future quantum technologies.