Thomas Searles named NSBP Fellow
Thomas Searles named NSBP Fellow
Associate Professor Thomas A. Searles was inducted as the 55th fellow of the National Society of Black Physicists in November, the highest honor bestowed upon its members.
The National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) is the largest organization devoted to the African American physics community. Today, the organization has over 600 professional and student members.
“When you read the accomplishments of the 54 other fellows, it really shows the breadth of excellence that we at NSBP as a whole embody,” Searles said. “The fellows list consists of leaders in the field of physics in research, education, and service. I will always be proud of the fact that I was chosen to be among them.”
Earlier this fall, Searles was elected to serve as the next president of NSBP, with a term running from January 2026 to December 2027.
“From NSBP, I’ve gained so much and I am happy to pay that forward,” Searles said. “It’s truly always been a place where I could learn, grow, and now aid in helping others to do the same.”
Walter Massey, president emeritus of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Morehouse College, is a fellow of NSBP and its past president. Massey reacted to Searles’ appointment.
“This is such an appropriate honor. Having known Dr. Searles since he was a student at Morehouse College when I was president, I always had huge expectations of him,” Massey said. “He has surpassed even my high expectations, becoming an outstanding researcher, teacher, and mentor. He has made and continues to make groundbreaking insights in the field of quantum sciences and technology. The NSBP is very fortunate to have him as a leader in the Society.”
Sekazi K. Mtingwa, an administrative judge with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and principal partner with Triangle Science, Education & Economic Development, LLC, is also a past president and fellow of NSBP.
“As former president of the National Society of Black Physicists, it gives me tremendous pleasure to see the many successes of our hard work over the past five decades, Mtingwa said. “Indeed, mentoring and nurturing the early career of such an eminent physicist as Professor Thomas Searles is a dream come true. We at NSBP wish him all the best as he continues his research, international engagements, and service as our new fellow and NSBP president.”
Searles’ research interests include quantum information science and engineering, including light-matter interactions, quantum optics, terahertz spectroscopy, quantum materials, and metamaterials. He joined UIC in 2021. In 2023, he was named a rising leader in quantum by the Chicago Quantum Exchange.
Searles initially studied physics at Morehouse College. At his first NSBP conference in 2001, Searles met Theresa Chatman, who encouraged him to attend Rice University. Searles went on to receive his BS in mathematics and physics and his PhD in applied physics from Rice.
Prior to joining UIC, Searles was a Martin Luther King Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, director of the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, and an associate professor at Howard University.
Searles has collaborated with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to create opportunities for Black students throughout his career. He is the founding director of the IBM HBCU Quantum Center, which is establishing a pipeline of talented physicists specializing in quantum technology. He is active with the American Institute of Physics TEAM UP project, which aims to drive systemic change and increase successful outcomes for African American physics and astronomy majors. He also established the Banneker Quantum Summer School for high school students in collaboration with the University of California at Santa Barbara, which introduces underrepresented students to physics.
Searles dedicated his achievement to the late Professor Charles S. Brown, an early mentor.
“He taught me quantum mechanics, and now I get to bring quantum to so many people in our community,” Searles said.