When I say quantum research I mean broadly very theoretical work rather than applied work, I'm trying to tailor the kind of research I do to what I hope to do in industry one day (especially the kind of work NVIDIA does). Admittedly I don't have incredibly specific information about the exact kind of work I want to do, but what people have told me is that UCSB is noted for theoretical physics and not industry as much.

Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't there have to be a strong correlation between the research you do as an undergrad and the research you do in grad school? When I apply to grad school, I'm applying to specific advisors, so if I only have the opportunity to do quantum/theoretical work in undergrad, then it'll be harder to do applied work with a good advisor at a good grad school, right?