Alexander Maloney, an international leader in quantum information science, was formally installed April 14 as the inaugural Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science at the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).

Maloney joined Syracuse University in 2024. His research focuses on the connections between quantum information theory, field theory, statistical mechanics and quantum gravity.

The Walters Endowed Professorship was established through a $2.5 million gift from Syracuse University Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Kathy Walters '73 and her husband, Stan '72, as part of the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program supporting the recruitment and retention of high-caliber faculty.

Speakers at the installation ceremony included Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi and Chancellor Kent Syverud. Maloney also spoke after receiving his medallion.

“This endowed professorship represents a bold investment in the future of discovery, and the College of Arts and Sciences is proud to be home to both this research, and Professor Maloney,” Mortazavi said. “Through his groundbreaking work, he is helping to unlock some of the most profound mysteries of nature—work that not only deepens our understanding of the cosmos but also holds transformative potential for fields as diverse as computing, cryptography and medicine.”

Maloney's distinguished career includes serving as James McGill Professor of Physics and Sir William Macdonald Chair in Physics at McGill University, where he received the John David Jackson Award for teaching excellence. His previous positions include membership at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and research associate at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. A 2013 Simons Fellow in Theoretical Physics, Maloney earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University and both his M.S. in mathematics and B.S. in physics from Stanford University.

At Syracuse, Maloney will grow teaching and research in quantum science while providing students with opportunities to advance understanding of nature and design next-generation quantum technologies.

Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science Alexander Maloney speaks after receiving the medallion.

Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew delivers remarks at the installation of the Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science.

A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi speaks of the importance of quantum science to research, technology and medicine.