Radiation treatment specifically interested the quantum physicist. Here was this big machine that emits radiation and spot targets tumours. How did it work? During his daily sessions, he couldn鈥檛 stop asking the technician questions: What is the frequency? How does it calibrate? Can I see the instruction manual?
Finally, the Grand River Hospital introduced him to the staff medical physicist, Ernest Osei, who is also an adjunct professor at the University of 蓝莓视频.
The two discovered an instant kinship. Laflamme wanted to know: could quantum technologies help better cancer research and treatment? They hired a postdoctoral fellow and set out to find out.
鈥淭his research is driven by curiosity and exploration,鈥 Laflamme says. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 have answers or solutions yet.鈥
While this research is still in the early stages, it鈥檚 a reminder to Laflamme that his curiosity as a researcher, inspired by some challenging personal experiences, is helping him uncover new potential impacts of quantum technologies to support future cancer patients in living healthy and meaningful lives.
Now in remission, Laflamme still heads down to Osei鈥檚 basement office after his regular checkups. This time, it鈥檚 to talk about future quantum discoveries.
Laflamme is a Professor in the Deparment of聽Physics and Astronomy and at the Institute for Quantum Computing. He holds the聽Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis John von Neumann聽Chair in Quantum Information and Canada Research Chair聽in Quantum Computing.
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