Stony Brook University has announced that Jennifer Cano, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship. This award, introduced by SUNY Chancellor John B. King, recognizes early career tenured and tenure-track faculty who have gained significant recognition in their fields and show promise for future impact. Professor Cano is one of 10 recipients across the SUNY system.
Cano’s research delves into quantum materials, particularly topological phases of matter. Her work includes developing the theory of topological quantum chemistry to predict new materials with unique properties. Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost at Stony Brook University, expressed his satisfaction with Cano’s recognition: “I am so pleased to see Professor Cano and her work recognized as one of the top early-career researchers in the SUNY system.”
Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook, also praised Cano: “While I am exceptionally delighted that Jen is recognized by the SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for her outstanding work in condensed matter physics, I am not surprised by the recognition.”
The selection process involved reviews by Distinguished Academy faculty who advised the SUNY Provost on candidates’ portfolios. Up to 10 awards will be presented annually.
In addition to this accolade, Professor Cano recently won Stony Brook University’s Discovery Prize 2025 for her proposal on “Theoretical Framework for the Discovery of Topological Moiré Materials.” The Discovery Prize supports innovative research by early-career faculty at Stony Brook.
Cano earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015 and later became a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton Center for Theoretical Science before joining Stony Brook in 2018.
