Bailey’s Groundbreaking Quantum Research Highlights Academic Excellence

Alabama A&M University senior De’Angelo N. Bailey recently earned national recognition for his outstanding poster presentation at the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP)–National Society of Hispanic Physicists (NSHP) Joint Annual Conference in San Jose, California.

Bailey was selected to present his research after a competitive review process by the National Society of Black Physicists. His project, titled “Electrodynamic and Quantum Properties of Josephson Junctions and Performances of Superconducting Qubits and Quantum Computers,” was conducted in collaboration with his mentor, Dr. Tianxi Zhang, a distinguished professor of physics at AAMU.

“Working alongside Dr. Zhang pushed me to think more critically and approach complex problems with confidence,” said Bailey. “His guidance and mentorship helped me take this research to a higher level and prepared me to present it on a national stage.”

His work explores how quantum effects may influence the performance of qubits, the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers. By examining how extreme electron movement in Josephson junctions can generate subtle thermal effects, Bailey’s research contributes to a deeper understanding of how quantum systems store and maintain information.

A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Bailey has built an impressive academic and professional portfolio during his time at AAMU. He has participated in multiple internships, including a summer research experience at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and an ongoing internship with the IBM Quantum Center at Howard University. He is also actively engaged in campus leadership, serving as president of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and participating in the Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) Partnership for Radiation Studies (PaRS) Consortium.

Bailey has represented the University at conferences across the country, including annual meetings of the Alabama Academy of Sciences and universities across the state and previous NSBP conferences in Tennessee and Texas. His consistent presence at national and regional events underscores both his dedication to the field and AAMU’s commitment to providing transformative research opportunities.

The NSBP poster competition draws participants from historically Black colleges and universities, major research institutions and national laboratories, making Bailey’s recognition for an outstanding poster presentation a significant achievement in a highly competitive environment.

Bailey will graduate May 8 and plans to pursue his master’s degree in physics at Alabama A&M, continuing his focus on advanced research. He hopes to build a career as an astrophysicist, with aspirations of working at NASA and contributing to the future of quantum technology.

“I chose Alabama A&M University because it offered the perfect balance of being close to home while still giving me the space to grow academically and personally,” said Bailey. “AAMU provided the support, opportunities and mentorship that helped me reach this moment, and I’m excited about what comes next.”