From UVa Today:

"Pfister, professor of physics in the College, is a noted researcher in quantum information and quantum computing. The development of quantum computers, one of the most challenging but promising areas of information science, would have capabilities far beyond today’s most advanced supercomputers. They could be used for incredibly detailed, data-heavy simulations, such as understanding the minute details of the interactions of molecules in biological systems, or to unravel some of the biggest mysteries of the workings of the universe by providing a way to possibly test quantum mechanics."

For full story, see:
http://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-announces-seed-grants-boost-newly-promoted-researchers-work