Roy Eddleman estate's $64.7 million donation establishes quantum science institute
“Quantum science holds significant promise for humanity,” said philanthropist Roy T. Eddleman in 2021 of the motivation for his generosity. “To realize its fullest potential, we need to provide adequate support to the young scientists who want to pursue careers in this field.”
Irvine, Calif., July 7, 2025 — The late chemist Roy T. Eddleman, founder and former CEO of Spectrum Labs, had a knack for bringing creative people together and cultivating a fertile environment for interaction and innovation. His company was just one example.
As a philanthropist, he later assembled the leaders of the University of California, Irvine, the California Institute of Technology and UC Santa Barbara as an advisory board for what came to be called the Eddleman Quantum Institute.
Eddleman’s vision was to use his funding to revolutionize science and technology through interactive and collaborative quantum science, by way of this complementary combination of research universities. Starting in 2020 and into 2025, the three institutions received a combined $64,725,000 for research, education, conferences and operations in quantum science, all courtesy of Eddleman, who died in 2022.
“Quantum science holds significant promise for humanity,” Eddleman said in 2021 of the motivation for his generosity. “To realize its fullest potential, we need to provide adequate support to the young scientists who want to pursue careers in this field.”
UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman said: “Through his generous donations to the University of California, Irvine, Roy Eddleman expressed his confidence in our researchers’ ability to positively impact the world with their work. The Eddleman Quantum Institute is an example of what can be achieved through a combination of generosity, ambition and the determination to conquer the unknown.”
In 1970, Eddleman launched Spectrum Labs, developer of bioprocess-filtration technologies. The company was purchased by Repligen in 2017. He patented numerous products, including the “Fleaker,” a combination of the Griffin beaker and the Erlenmeyer flask, and co-authored a series of patents involving magnetic particle separation for clinical chemistry assays. He died at his home in Beverly Hills on June 11, 2022, at age 82.
“Roy Eddleman’s vision and generosity – and their continuation by the Eddleman Foundation since he passed away – are to be thanked for the creation of the Eddleman Quantum Institute and our ability to move forward with our work,” said EQI director William Evans, UC Irvine Distinguished Professor of chemistry. “Quantum research is a truly interdisciplinary undertaking, so having scientists from three elite Southern California universities involved is a strong advantage.”
Eddleman initiated EQI in May 2020 with donations of $1.5 million to each of the three schools to fund postdoctoral and graduate student fellowships, scientific conferences, and fundamental research into quantum science. A second gift of $1 million per institution was made in January 2021 for additional graduate fellowships in quantum science. A total of $19,075,000 was subsequently given to each school for an overall contribution of $64,725,000 to the institute.
Since 2020, more than 75 graduate students from the three institutions have received Eddleman fellowships to advance quantum research – over 25 at UC Irvine alone.
“Quantum science is poised to change the world through a next wave of technological revolutions, from nanomaterials to designer medicines,” said James Bullock, dean of UC Irvine’s School of Physical Sciences. “Roy Eddleman saw this potential with clarity, and we are thrilled to partner with his foundation to make that vision a reality.”
Added Evans: “In the five years since the Eddleman Quantum Institute was established, the three-school collaboration has generated an active program of research and education that includes undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and quantum science faculty. This will provide a pipeline for the next generation of future leaders in quantum science. This is one of the most important parts of the EQI’s mission, and it would not be possible were it not for the magnanimity of Roy Eddleman and his foundation.”
About UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UC Irvine. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UC Irvine seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The School of Physical Sciences plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-physical-sciences.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
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