Latest news with #RaymondLaflamme
National Post
24-06-2025
- Science
- National Post
Raymond Laflamme, Canadian pioneer in quantum computing, has died
Article content Laflamme's many accolades included being named an Officer of the Order of Canada, the Canadian Association of Physicists CAP-CRM Prize in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He held the inaugural Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis 'John von Neumann' Chair in Quantum Information. Article content Article content He coauthored two textbooks on quantum computing: Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction and An Introduction to Quantum Computing. In 2020, he and his wife, Janice Gregson, established the Raymond Laflamme and Janice Gregson Graduate Scholarship for Women in Quantum Information Science, awarded annually to recognize top women entering Waterloo's quantum graduate programs. Article content 'Throughout his career, he found ways to bring people together,' the university said in its release. 'This was accomplished on an international scale by leading networks and organizing conferences, and within the local community through pick-up hockey games and sharing his insights generously with students and colleagues.' Article content Article content The university noted that, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, Laflamme started a project with researchers at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ont., to investigate quantum technologies for cancer research and treatment. Article content Laflamme is survived by Gregson and his children, Patrick and Jocelyne. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family says donations may be made to Lung Cancer Canada, Princess Margaret Foundation or the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation – Cancer Centre. The family is also working towards setting up a scholarship fund in Laflamme's memory. Article content An obituary at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home noted Laflamme's love for the outdoors. 'In recent years, he and Janice went on bike tours through France, and Ray embarked on two canoe trips to the Arctic — one with Patrick, one with Jocelyne,' it said, adding: 'He had a knack for turning any project into something special, from building a log cabin sauna by hand to restoring his cherished 1979 VW bus.' Article content Article content The obituary also includes a tribute wall. One person posted: 'Although I only met Ray Laflamme once, I'll never forget his patience in explaining, in lay terms, quantum computing to me.' Article content They added: 'I first learned about his lung cancer diagnosis in an interview with him in the (Waterloo Region) Record. He was speaking out about the importance of early screening for a cancer that is the leading cause of death. The courage he displayed by going public in that article only increased my respect for him. My condolences to his family.' Article content
Edmonton Journal
24-06-2025
- Science
- Edmonton Journal
Raymond Laflamme, Canadian pioneer in quantum computing, has died
Article content Raymond Laflamme, a Canadian pioneer in the field of quantum information processing who once worked with Stephen Hawking, has died after a lengthy bout with cancer. The University of Waterloo announced his death in a press release this week. He died June 19 on what would have been his 65th birthday. Born in Québec City, the third of five siblings, Laflamme studied physics as an undergraduate at the Université Laval before moving to England to continue his education there.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
University of Waterloo mourns passing of pioneer, Raymond Laflamme
Raymond Laflamme presents a gift to his former PhD supervisor Stephen Hawking during a visit to the IQC. (Courtesy: University of Waterloo) A man hailed as a trailblazer in the world of quantum information processing has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. The University of Waterloo announced the passing of Raymond Laflamme in a news release on Monday. Laflamme was originally from Québec City and studied Physics at Université Laval. He eventually moved to England, where he earned his PhD at Cambridge University under the guidance of the renown physicist Stephen Hawking. In 2001, Laflamme joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He also became a founding executive director of the Institute for Quantum Computing (ICQ). His work, using linear optics to approach quantum information processing, became one of the most referenced works in quantum computing. Laflamme was an Officer of the Order of Canada, received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and was a Canada Research Chair among his many achievements, accolades and recognitions. 'Laflamme had an adventurous spirit and a light-hearted sense of humour. His curiosity about the world never dimmed. When he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he turned something tragic into a new research avenue. He started a project with researchers at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener to investigate quantum technologies for cancer research and treatment,' the university's release read. 'The IQC, Science and Waterloo community has lost a leader, teacher, mentor and friend. We offer our deepest condolences to Laflamme's family.'
