Our research focuses on the transport properties of nanometer scale systems. Semiconductor quantum dots are used to isolate single electron spins, which exhibit long quantum coherence times. These systems allow quantum mechanics to be harnessed in a solid state environment for the implementation of elementary quantum gates. We use nanofabrication to create artificially structured systems with experimentally tunable Hamiltonians that can be controlled on sub-nanosecond timescales. Our research on semiconducting nanowires and suspended two-dimensional electron gases aims to explore the interplay of quantized electrical and mechanical degrees of freedom. In addition, the nanowires will allow us to explore physics at the intersection quantum electronics and quantum optics.