Missouri State University’s Quantum Bears team has once again proved its strength in international competition.

Led by Dr. Ridwan Sakidja, professor of physics, astronomy and materials science, the team comprised two Missouri State alumni, Matthew Bruenning and Gaige Riggs. They both graduated from the Master of Science in Materials Science program.

The team was named a finalist in the MITRE sector of the Potomac Quantum Innovation Center Global Industry Challenge (PQIC) 2025. It ranked in the top 28 out of more than 600 participants from 60 countries. It advanced through three competitive rounds from April to July 2025, earning finalist recognition across all four challenge sectors: Financial Services, Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Risk Management and Insurance.

Hosted by Connected DMV and supported by sponsors like Aqora and qBraid, the PQIC invited student innovators, entrepreneurs and industry teams from around the world to solve complex, real-world problems using quantum computing.

“Although we didn’t win the top prize, being named among the top 28 globally — less than 5% of all entries — strongly validates the Quantum Bears team approach and vision,” Sakidja said.

The team’s submission for the infrastructure challenge focused on using quantum computing to improve asphalt pavement binder design for transportation. It developed a method to simplify large material models while retaining critical atomic-level accuracy.

A growing quantum legacy

This latest recognition adds to the team’s growing list of international honors:

• First place in the EPRI Fusion Quantum Challenge 2025 for nuclear fusion materials
• Top three in Smart Coating and top 15 overall in the Airbus and BMW Quantum Computing Challenge 2024

These successes support Missouri State’s broader goal of advancing emerging technologies through education and research. In the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, the department of physics, astronomy and materials science has launched Missouri’s first quantum computing track in the bachelor’s degree in physics program.

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