With Texas quickly becoming a global hub for quantum innovation, Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Jeff Prevost, PhD, executive director of UT San Antonio’s Open Cloud Institute, to the newly established Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. The appointment highlights the university’s pivotal role in Texas’ rise as a leader in quantum computing.
Quantum computing is an emerging field built on a new approach to computation that could one day tackle problems far beyond the reach of today’s computers, with significant implications for cybersecurity, medicine and energy. As states compete for leadership in this fast-growing industry, this new advisory committee will help guide strategic investment and keep the state competitive.
“Dr. Prevost’s appointment to the Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee is both a testament to his expertise in leading emerging technologies and UT San Antonio’s commitment to advancing excellence in the most consequential challenges of our time,” said UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy . “We are proud of his leadership and honored to serve as a driving force behind the state’s quantum future to grow the talent pipeline and strengthen partnerships that will power the innovation economy of the future.”
The advisory committee was established to develop a strategic plan that supports the growth of Texas’ quantum economy and advances the state’s leadership in quantum research, technology development, workforce preparation and industry engagement. Bringing together five experts from academia, industry and government, the committee will help shape the future of innovation in quantum computing across Texas. Prevost will serve on the committee through Jan. 31, 2031.
“Dr. Jeff Prevost’s nomination reflects the growing strength of UT San Antonio’s research system and the leadership of our faculty in areas of strategic importance for Texas and the nation,” said Jennifer Potter , PhD, MPH, senior executive vice president for research and innovation at UT San Antonio. “Through leaders like Dr. Prevost and initiatives like Open Cloud, UT San Antonio is building the collaborative infrastructure, technical expertise and industry partnerships needed to accelerate discovery and positively affect real change in people’s lives.”
Prevost’s appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for quantum research and collaboration throughout the state. Holding the Cloud Technology Endowed Professorship in the UT San Antonio College of AI, Cyber and Computing, Prevost is cultivating the next generation of quantum leaders in Texas. Established in fall of 2025, the multidisciplinary college is designed to meet the skyrocketing demand for expertise in quantum computing, data science, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. As executive director of OCI, he has championed interdisciplinary partnerships that connect researchers, industry leaders, government agencies and national laboratories. These key collaborations address emerging challenges in the fields of cybersecurity, advanced computing, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
“Being appointed to the Texas Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee is both an honor and a responsibility,” Prevost said. “Texas has a real opportunity to shape the future of quantum innovation by building the right mix of research capacity, talent development and cross-sector collaboration. At UT San Antonio, we are committed to advancing the foundational technologies and partnerships that will help move quantum from a promise to practical impact — strengthening cybersecurity, enabling new scientific breakthroughs and supporting the long-term competitiveness of our state.”
Under Prevost’s leadership, OCI has expanded its role as a convener of industry leaders and collaborative research initiatives. Over the past year, OCI has helped to establish strategic cross-sector partnerships through the Quantum Institute for Cyber Resilience (QuICR), an emerging consortium focused on advancing quantum technologies and cyber resilience.
Most recently, OCI hosted the Quantum Cyber Resilience Workshop in San Antonio, bringing together experts from academia, industry, government and the national laboratory community to explore opportunities for collaboration in the rapidly evolving quantum ecosystem. The workshop highlighted Texas’ growing strengths in cybersecurity, quantum science, workforce development and critical infrastructure resilience while helping establish new partnerships to support future research and innovation.
Prevost’s appointment deepens UT San Antonio’s growing engagement in statewide efforts focused on quantum technologies and innovation. Through initiatives such as QuICR and the work of OCI, UT San Antonio continues to foster collaboration and innovation across public and private institutions and industry partnerships. The university’s growing involvement in quantum research and cyber resilience reflects its commitment to addressing emerging technological challenges while contributing to the future of Texas’ innovation economy.
As Texas continues to invest in the future of quantum technologies, UT San Antonio remains committed to advancing research innovation and building the partnerships necessary to support innovation and economic growth across the state.