The NSERC CREATE in AI-Driven Quantum Sensing and Genomics for Precision Therapeutics (QuantOmics) is designed to dismantle disciplinary and training silos in quantum sensing, genomics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). We will train a new generation of highly qualified personnel (HQP) to be fluent in all three domains.
A consortium of six research-intensive universities — Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), McGill, Queen’s, Université Laval, University of Saskatchewan, and University of Toronto — together with a cross-sectoral network of industry and clinical partners, will establish the nation’s first integrated research and training pipeline in quantum biosensor design and AI-driven genomic medicine.
The next frontier in medicine lies in translating an individual’s unique genomic blueprint into personalized, life-saving therapeutics. This vision — central to the Canadian Genomics Strategy — promises to revolutionize treatments for diseases like cancer through innovations such as mRNA vaccines and targeted cell therapies.
A fundamental technological barrier stands in the way: today’s standard biological assays often lack the sensitivity to detect the ultra-low-abundance biomarkers that signal disease onset or predict therapeutic response. This forces a trial-and-error approach that contributes to drug development costs exceeding US$1 billion per new medicine.
QuantOmics addresses this barrier by integrating three cutting-edge fields:
| Objective | Training Modules |
|---|---|
| 1. Develop deep, integrated expertise across quantum biosensing, genomic data integration, and AI-driven therapeutic design | Thematic Research Projects; Technical Courses & Training; Cross-Stream Lab Rotations |
| 2. Gain hands-on mastery of the full R&D workflow, from sensor fabrication to predictive modeling | Experiential Learning Components; Annual “Personalized Vaccine Design Challenge”; Technical Tutorials |
| 3. Cultivate strong professional skills in communication, project management, IP strategy, EDI, and regulatory affairs for the pharma sector | Professional Skills Curriculum; “Translational Trajectory” Mentorship Trio; Workshops on IP, EDI, and Responsible Innovation |
| 4. Foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary mindset through team-based projects and a cohort-based learning model | Co-supervision by NSE and Health Sciences faculties; Team-based Hackathons & Innovation Studios; QuantOmics Symposium |
| 5. Facilitate trainee transition to workforce by building a robust professional network | Industry & Clinical Internships; Direct mentorship from industry/clinical partners; Symposiums, Workshops, and Job Fair |
| 6. Directly contribute to the Canadian Genomics Strategy by building national capacity in talent, data generation, use, and translation | All program elements aligned with the four pillars of the national strategy |
Over six years, QuantOmics will train 93 highly qualified personnel (HQP):
| Level | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 36 |
| Master’s | 6 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 72 |
| Doctoral | 2 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 8 | 56 |
| Postdoctoral | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Total | 15 | 28 | 33 | 34 | 36 | 24 | 170 |
(Cumulative one-year units = 170)
Integrated Research Pipeline — The three streams are structurally interdependent. An engineer in Stream 1 cannot validate their sensor without a biologist in Stream 2, and neither can succeed without a data scientist in Stream 3. This forces deep functional collaboration rarely seen in graduate training.
Translational Trajectory Mentorship Trio — Every graduate trainee is supported by a primary supervisor, a co-supervisor from a complementary stream, and an industry advisor — guaranteeing interdisciplinary perspective from day one.
Accessible and Inclusive — Open to HQP from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Genomic Medicine. No prior knowledge in the other fields is required.
Real-World Validation — Trainee research is validated using patient-derived organoid and organ-on-a-chip platforms, providing physiologically relevant models that more accurately predict human clinical response than traditional 2D cell cultures.
Whole-of-Society Approach — Industry partners such as C2MI and Epiloid Biotech provide access to quantum infrastructure and organoid setups that are otherwise inaccessible to most Canadian universities.
EDI Embedded at Every Level — Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is treated as a core component of scientific excellence, not a box-checking exercise.
A QuantOmics graduate possesses a unique combination of skills spanning hardware, biology, and AI — making them invaluable across sectors:
The program is governed by a Steering Committee (SC) led by Program Director Dr. Naimul Khan, with institutional leads at each partner university. The SC manages day-to-day operations, monitors recruitment, and oversees all training activities.
An independent Program Committee (PC) provides strategic guidance, sets performance indicators, and ensures program objectives are met. PC members include leaders from industry, clinical research, and academia:
Formal program reviews are conducted in Years 2, 4, and 6.
QuantOmics is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program.