Mikhail Lukin is a world-renowned physicist celebrated for his pioneering contributions to quantum science and technology. Currently serving as the Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor at Harvard University, he holds dual leadership positions as Co-Director of the Harvard Quantum Initiative in Science and Engineering and Co-Director of the Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms. Born in Moscow in 1971, Lukin completed his undergraduate studies at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology before earning his PhD from Texas A&M University in 1998. He joined Harvard University in 2001 as an assistant professor, achieving full professorship within three years and establishing himself as a preeminent figure in quantum research with international recognition.
Lukin's groundbreaking experimental work has fundamentally transformed quantum physics, particularly through his demonstration of photonic molecules that behave like solid objects when interacting, creating lightsaber-like technology that captured global attention. His laboratory made significant advances in quantum sensing through the co-invention of NV-diamond magnetometry, enabling unprecedented precision in nanoscale measurements with applications across biological and materials science. With over 153,000 citations according to Google Scholar, his research portfolio spans quantum computing architectures, quantum networks, and quantum simulation platforms that have positioned his laboratory at the forefront of quantum technology development. His 2005 proposal for quantum computing mail demonstrated early visionary thinking that has since evolved into practical quantum network applications now being implemented across multiple institutions.
As a 2023 Falling Walls Winner in the Physical Sciences category, Lukin continues to shape the global quantum research agenda through his dual role as academic leader and entrepreneur, having co-founded two Boston-area quantum technology startups: Quantum Diamond Technologies and QuEra Computing. His mentorship has cultivated a generation of quantum scientists, with former students and postdocs now leading research groups at top institutions worldwide while advancing the commercialization of quantum technologies. Lukin's election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2018 and receipt of prestigious awards including the Julius Springer Prize for Applied Physics and the Willis Lamb Award underscore his standing as one of the most influential quantum scientists of his generation. Currently directing one of the world's most prominent quantum research groups, his team's work on quantum error correction and scalable quantum processors represents the cutting edge of efforts to realize practical quantum computational advantage across scientific and industrial domains.
