Core Tenets of the Park
Collaboration is Key
Quantum technology is complex, and requires a joint effort between scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and end users across the entire value chain.
Shared Infrastructure to Speed Up Success
Common capabilities like cryo and test equipment can be shared to accelerate advancements in research and commercialization.
Diversity at its Core
The IQMP is focused on providing workforce opportunities for all, particularly in Chicago’s South Side community.
Bolstered by Partnership
The park is a shared venture amongst government, universities and colleges, labs and research institutions, and businesses.
Why Illinois
Located in the heart of the U.S., Illinois is a unique global business destination that has all of the attributes companies need to succeed. The state offers unmatched talent throughout a diverse array of industries, along with world-class infrastructure that allows companies to move their people and products quickly and efficiently via air, rail, road and water.
IQMP Leadership
Dr. Harley Johnson
Executive Director and CEO of the IQMP
Harley Johnson is a Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A faculty member since 2001, Harley served as the Associate Dean for Research in the Grainger College of Engineering from 2019 to 2024. As a researcher, his work has focused on electronic and quantum materials, and he is the PI and Director of the Illinois Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.
Laura Appenzeller
Director and Chief Operating Officer of the IQMP
Laura Appenzeller serves as the Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation. The Research Park, located on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is home to more than 100 companies, including large corporations and startups.
Dr. Preeti Chalsani
Business Development Lead for the IQMP
Preeti Chalsani is the inaugural chief quantum officer for Intersect Illinois, where she leads all business development efforts related to quantum in the state. Prior to joining Intersect, she served as the Director of Industry Partnerships for the Chicago Quantum Exchange in a joint position with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Dr. Brian DeMarco
Director and Chief Technology Officer of the IQMP
Dr. Brian DeMarco is a professor of physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where his research team has advanced the frontier of quantum science and technology using light and atoms for over 20 years. He is also the Director of the National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks and the Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST).
Julia Lane
Federal Strategy Advisor for the IQMP
Julia Lane serves as the Assistant Vice President for Science at the University of Chicago, where she spearheads growth strategies across the university’s science, engineering, and innovation sectors. She is instrumental in forging high-impact public-private partnerships, positioning Chicago as a global hub for technological advancement and cutting-edge innovation.
Greg Feltman
Senior Advisor to IQMP Leadership
Greg Feltman was most recently a manager for Boston Consulting Group in their Chicago office, where he worked with public and private organizations on large scale transformations, organizational design and strategy.
Career Opportunities
The IQMP team is hiring! Learn about open positions here.
WHAT
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is a first-of-its-kind park for quantum scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development.
WHERE
Minutes away from downtown Chicago along Lake Michigan, this site will: 1.) build on a track record of historic investment by the State in quantum information science and technology, and 2.) further establish Illinois as a global hub for quantum.
WHO
The park is designed to support the full ecosystem of companies, researchers, suppliers, end users and other partners working to facilitate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies, including the world's first fault-tolerant computers.
HOW
The IQMP will be managed and operated by a University-Related Organization (URO) LLC established by the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees. The URO LLC will be led by an appointed Board of Managers consisting of key stakeholders in the park and major research institutions across the State.
WHY QUANTUM
Quantum technologies have the potential to tackle many of the biggest challenges in healthcare, energy, transportation, financial services, agriculture and national security.
Components of the Park
IQMP Meetings
Stay tuned for details about our upcoming community meetings.
Previous Meeting Materials
Frequently Asked Questions
Quantum Computing
The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronic Park
IQMP Team and Tenants
Environmental Impact
Workforce and the Community
Interested in sharing your questions, comments or ideas for the IQMP? Please fill out this form so we can keep you up to date on the latest news and updates on this project.
IQMP Leadership
Harley Johnson
Director and CEO of the IQMP
Harley Johnson is a Founder Professor in Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A faculty member since 2001, Harley served as the Associate Dean for Research in the Grainger College of Engineering from 2019 to 2024. As a researcher, his work has focused on electronic and quantum materials, and he is the PI and Director of the Illinois Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.
Laura Appenzeller
Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer of the IQMP
Laura Appenzeller serves as the Executive Director of the University of Illinois Research Park and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation. The Research Park, located on the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is home to more than 100 companies, including large corporations and startups.
Preeti Chalsani
Business Development Lead for the IQMP
Preeti Chalsani is the inaugural chief quantum officer for Intersect Illinois, where she leads all business development efforts related to quantum in the state. Prior to joining Intersect, she served as the Director of Industry Partnerships for the Chicago Quantum Exchange in a joint position with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Dr. Brian DeMarco
Associate Director and Chief Technology Officer of the IQMP
Dr. Brian DeMarco is a professor of physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where his research team has advanced the frontier of quantum science and technology using light and atoms for over 20 years. He is also the Director of the National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks and the Director of the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST).
Julia Lane
Federal Relations Lead for the IQMP
Julia Lane serves as the Assistant Vice President for Science at the University of Chicago, where she spearheads growth strategies across the university’s science, engineering, and innovation sectors. She is instrumental in forging high-impact public-private partnerships, positioning Chicago as a global hub for technological advancement and cutting-edge innovation.
Greg Feltman
Senior Advisor to IQMP Leadership
Greg Feltman was most recently a manager for Boston Consulting Group in their Chicago office, where he worked with public and private organizations on large scale transformations, organizational design and strategy.