Cottrell Scholars Award Honors Professor Subhasish Mandal
2026 Cottrell Scholars Award
West Virginia University (WVU) assistant professor of physics and astronomy Subhasish Mandal received the 2026 Cottrell Scholars Award. He received this award for his innovative research into materials that could revolutionize quantum computers, the next frontier of computational power.
A Few Early-Career Leaders
Mandal was one of 24 US and Canadian early-career researchers awarded by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement this year. Teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy who excel in research and teaching receive the honor.
Along with professional recognition, Cottrell Scholars receive $120,000 to develop their academic and scientific careers.
Mandal expressed gratitude for the RCSA's recognition, which will aid in his pursuit of sensitive materials for powerful, error-free quantum computing.
Quantum Matter Tuning Science
Mandal focuses on “tuning quantum matter and phases through strong electronic interaction”. His research aims to forecast quantum phases in “heterostructures” and unusual materials using modern computer methods. Heterostructures with strong electron interactions commonly exhibit high-temperature superconductivity.
Physics defines “strong electronic interaction” as systems with intricate collective features induced by electrons not being separate particles. Layer materials on “heterostructures” to create distinct electrical properties.
Claim that quantum state instability is a major challenge for quantum computing. Mandal studies materials that can preserve quantum states in the face of ambient noise, which generally collapses them. Mandal's research team solves quantum mechanical equations with high-performance computation to predict novel materials and phases for highly linked quantum systems without tweaking parameters.
For the past decade, solving these equations has been used to forecast materials, but Mandal said highly coupled quantum materials are still challenging to forecast without changeable parameters. He employs powerful computers to overcome this.
Accelerating Real-World Results
Mandal wants to speed quantum computing's practical applications, even though most of it is theoretical. By discovering materials that reliably hold quantum information, his research is helping the industry construct error-free, functional quantum processors.
Mandal's honor transcends beyond the lab. The Cottrell Award promotes research-teaching collaboration. The funding will boost high school and college quantum science instruction at Mandal.
Helping Underserved Communities
This schooling initiative serves rural and underprivileged children. Mandal will offer numerous activities to engage these students, including:
Online education modules for remote pupils.
Modern physics seminars with hands-on experience.
Undergraduate research opportunities for scientific innovation.
Maura McLaughlin, the department chair and Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, complimented Mandal's academic accomplishments. She called him one of the department's “brightest stars” for his groundbreaking research and excellent undergraduate and graduate teaching.
Realizing the Land-Grant Mission
Mandal's outreach shows WVU's land-grant mission, says McLaughlin. This goal emphasizes the university's commitment to serve the public by providing poor students across the state with cutting-edge scientific information.
Mandal promotes quantum physics, but this prize helps the community learn and be inspired to study science. He solves complex physics problems and fosters new scientists.