QRISE Center

About Us

The QRISE Center is the direct outcome of MTSU’s Quantum Information Science & Engineering (QISE) Initiative launched in 2023, which established the foundation for coordinated quantum research, education, and workforce development across the institution. Today, QRISE serves as the leading quantum hub in Middle Tennessee, with activities closely in quantum research, education, and industry partnership.

  • Flagship partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, led by MTSU through a $2.2M DOE RENEW award (TN-QuMat Consortium) focused on quantum materials, high-performance computing, and federally aligned quantum workforce pipelines.
  • More than $8.5M in active and recent federal funding in quantum and quantum-adjacent research, spanning DOE and NSF programs in quantum materials, quantum information science, AI-enabled simulation, and workforce development.
  • First institution in Tennessee to launch an undergraduate Quantum Information Science concentration, in physics established in Spring 2023, providing the state’s earliest formal undergraduate quantum curriculum.
  • Comprehensive undergraduate and graduate quantum training pathways, embedded across physics, computer science, mathematics, and AI-enabled computational science programs.
  • The first in Tennessee NSF ExpandQISE Track-1 award supporting interdisciplinary quantum education and inclusive workforce development.
  • QISE Graduate Program via NSF-funded NRT program in Quantum Information Science and AI designed to prepare PhD-level talent for national laboratories, defense contractors, and federal mission agencies.
  • Statewide Train-the-Trainer programs and K-12 quantum outreach, supporting teachers, faculty, and students across Tennessee and strengthening long-term workforce readiness.
  • Internationally recognized research leadership, with active collaborations in Europe and North America, including sustained partnerships with Germany-based quantum research institutions.
  • Partnerships with ORNL, MTE, EPB, XANADU, Un. of Michigan, Virginia Tech, LSU, FSU, Un of Colorado Boulder, Duke, TnTech, Fisk, TSU, Meharry, Un of Buffalo.

QRISE Leadership

Dr. Hanna Terletska

Hanna Terletska 
Director of QRISE Center
Associate Professor    
Department of Physics and Astronomy  
Middle Tennessee State University  
Email: hanna.terletska@mtsu.edu
Phone: 615-898-2972

Dr. John Villanova

Jack Villanova
Associate Director of Research
Physics and Astronomy
Middle Tennessee State University
Email: john.villanova@mtsu.edu
Phone: 615-898-2483

Dr. Wandi Ding

Wandi Ding
Associate Director of Education
Mathematical Sciences
Middle Tennessee State University
Email: wandi.ding@mtsu.edu

QRISE center is housed in College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), Dean Greg Van Patten.

MTSU QRISE Center

Contact

Hanna Terletska headshot

Hanna Terletska
Director of QRISE Center

Associate Professor
Department of Physics & Astronomy
WPS 206C

Phone: 615-898-2792
Email: hanna.terletska@mtsu.edu