Anna Grassellino, senior scientist at the Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the director of the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, received the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 13 in Washington, D.C. Knight is one of the five ranks of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest honor in Italy.
Anna Grassellino, originally from Marsala, Italy, is a pioneering physicist and leader in the field of superconducting quantum technologies. She has revolutionized particle accelerator science through her groundbreaking work on superconducting radiofrequency cavities. Her discovery of nitrogen doping — a transformative technique that dramatically enhances the efficiency of SRF cavities — has set a global standard for accelerator technology. By introducing nitrogen into the surface of niobium cavities, Grassellino and her team achieved unprecedented quality factors, significantly reducing cryogenic costs and enabling next-generation advancements in high-energy physics. This innovation has been implemented in accelerator facilities worldwide, including the cutting-edge Linac Coherent Light Source II High Energy upgrades at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
As the Director of the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center at Fermilab, Grassellino leads a multidisciplinary effort to harness SRF technology for quantum information science, technology and fundamental physics. Her work bridges the worlds of applied physics and groundbreaking quantum research, positioning her as a global leader in pursuing transformative scientific solutions. Grassellino’s career exemplifies a commitment to pushing the boundaries of discovery, inspiring the next generation of scientists and advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
“It is a profound privilege to receive this distinction from Italy. This honor is an important milestone and a celebration of the power of research, innovation and collaboration to drive humanity forward,” said Grassellino. “Science thrives on curiosity, perseverance, and the collective efforts of brilliant minds working together to push the boundaries of what is possible. I hope this recognition inspires young scientists to pursue their ambitions fearlessly, knowing that their contributions can shape the future.”
The honor recognizes individuals for outstanding merit in fields such as literature, culture, science, medicine, economics, athletics, journalism and humanitarian work. The Order was first established on March 3, 1951 by the President of Italy. The honor is given by decree of the President of the Republic.
Grassellino received the honor at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., with the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, H.E. Mariangela Zappia, presented the distinction.
“As an institution, we are incredibly proud of Anna Grassellino’s exceptional contributions to science and her groundbreaking work in superconducting quantum technologies,” said Young-Kee Kim, interim director of Fermilab. “This well-deserved recognition reflects the global impact of her accomplishments, and we value Anna’s leadership at the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center as she directs research in this frontier of scientific discovery.”
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is America’s premier national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. Fermi Forward Discovery Group manages Fermilab for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Visit Fermilab’s website at www.fnal.gov and follow us on social media.
The Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center is one of the five U.S. Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Centers. Led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, SQMS is a collaboration of more than 30 partner institutions — national labs, academia and industry — working together to bring transformational advances in the field of quantum information science. The center leverages Fermilab’s expertise in building complex particle accelerators to engineer multiqubit quantum processor platforms based on state-of-the-art qubits and superconducting technologies. Working hand in hand with embedded industry partners, SQMS will build a quantum computer and new quantum sensors at Fermilab, which will open unprecedented computational opportunities. For more information, please visit sqmscenter.fnal.gov.
Recommended reading
Ten ways Fermilab advanced science and technology in 2024
In 2024, Fermilab made significant scientific progress, including advancing preparations for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment and conducting groundbreaking quantum research. The laboratory also continued its strong international collaborations — including involvement with the CMS experiment at CERN — and made strides in developing emerging technologies with wide applications beyond physics.
Customizable quantum control toolkit developed at Fermilab ready for commercial production
The Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit now features updated software and firmware and new companion hardware called QICK box. This Fermilab-developed system combines everything a scientist might need to conduct mind-bending research in a pizza-box-sized case.
Department of Energy program helps Fermilab bring quantum control electronics to market
Participants in the Energy I-Corps program aim to commercialize the Fermilab-developed Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit. QICK has been helping researchers improve their quantum computing performance while minimizing cost.