Central students earn first place in Statewide Quantum UP! Challenge

A team of students from Central Connecticut State University captured first place in the second annual Quantum UP! Challenge on April 8, outperforming competitors from institutions across the state, including doctoral candidates from Yale, UConn, the University of Bridgeport, and Southern Connecticut State University.

Team Central—comprised of Tyler Brown, John Legge, Jonathan Orlando, Gjin Rexhaj, and Luis Sebastian Sanchez—earned top honors in the Quantum Horizon category for its project focused on cybersecurity risks in various industries in the era of quantum computing. The team received a $5,000 prize courtesy of Travelers.

In its problem statement, the team noted, “Enterprises are overwhelmed by massive volumes of cybersecurity vulnerability data but lack the ability to prioritize risks in a way that reflects real business impact.”

To address that challenge, Central’s team developed an interactive Vulnerability Compliance Dashboard that transforms fragmented security data into actionable, business-driven insights.

“Our approach moves beyond static scoring by incorporating context-aware analysis and pattern recognition across systems, enabling organizations to identify systemic risks and prioritize remediation based on real impact,” the team wrote in its executive summary.

About the Quantum UP! Challenge

The Quantum UP! Challenge is a statewide initiative designed to engage undergraduate and graduate students in exploring the business, policy, and legal dimensions of a quantum-enabled economy. Hosted by the University of Connecticut in partnership with industry, academic, and community organizations, the program provides participants with foundational knowledge of quantum technologies and their emerging applications.

The competition began on March 12 with a virtual educational session introducing core concepts in quantum physics, including advances in computing, sensing, encryption, and materials science. On March 25, student teams received real-world challenge prompts from sponsors and were paired with professional mentors, supported by expert panel discussions. The program culminated on April 8 at the UConn School of Business in Hartford, where teams presented their analyses and recommendations.

The students’ responses were evaluated for their innovation, technical implementation, business value, and overall presentation quality.

“Central students continue to demonstrate what is possible when innovation meets purpose,” said Central President Zulma R. Toro. “I am incredibly proud of this team for earning first place among such strong competition. Their work reflects Central’s commitment to preparing students to lead in emerging fields, apply their knowledge to real-world challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the future of our state and beyond.”

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