Dr. Andrea Damascelli is a leading figure in Canada’s quantum science ecosystem. As former Scientific Director of UBC’s Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (UBC Blusson QMI), he spearheaded the Canada First Research Excellence Fund program that positioned UBC at the forefront of quantum materials innovation. During his 11-year tenure as UBC Blusson QMI’s Scientific Director, he also co-directed the Max Planck-UBC-UTokyo Centre for Quantum Materials, one of the world’s most prominent international alliances in quantum research.

A global leader in advanced photoemission and x-ray techniques, Damascelli has transformed the field’s understanding of high-temperature superconductors and quantum materials. His research group is renowned for their studies using time-, spin-, and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (Time+Spin+ARPES), a highly sophisticated technique that images the energy and velocity of electrons as they propagate through materials to better understand novel quantum materials and enable their use in emerging quantum technologies.

Damascelli’s work has earned top honours, including Killam and Brockhouse Prizes, Sloan, Kavli, Steacie, and CIFAR Fellowships, as well as recognition from the Royal Society of Canada. In 2024, he became the first recipient of the Ingegno Italiano Award from the Embassy of Italy in Canada. In 2025, he was elected to the Materials Science Division of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc). He was also named to UNESCO’s Quantum 100, recognizing his contributions to quantum science and the global quantum community.

Driven by a commitment to collaboration, open science, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, he helped launch Quantum Colaboratory, has trained more than 200 researchers, founded UBC’s Quantum Pathways program for underrepresented students, and co-leads Ars Scientia, uniting quantum science with the arts.