UC Santa Cruz Secures Funding for Innovative Tech Projects
The CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program (I2P) has awarded funding to three innovative projects at the University of California, Santa Cruz, aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges through information technology. This year’s initiative emphasizes three key areas: Society, Media and Technology; Agricultural Technology (AgTech); and Educational Technology (EdTech). A competitive selection process led to the appointment of project teams that draw expertise from eight different departments across the campus.
Innovative Projects Address Societal Issues
The first project, titled “Understanding Computational Thinking and Skill Development with Large Language Models,” is led by Leilani Gilpin, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering, along with co-principal investigators Hannah Hausman, an assistant professor of psychology, and linguistics professors Matt Wagers and Pranav Anand. This initiative plans to conduct a pilot study to explore how Large Language Models (LLMs) influence computational thinking in a research setting. Participants will engage in programming tasks while their behavioral data—including eye fixations, mouse clicks, keystrokes, and gestures—will be recorded. The study aims to compare outcomes between participants using an LLM and those using a traditional search engine. The goal is to develop a model that predicts mastery based on participant behavior, potentially offering tools applicable to various educational tasks.
The second project, “Equitable Environmental Sensing for Sustainability,” is spearheaded by Colleen Josephson, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, with co-principal investigator Crystele Leathaud from the Center for Agroecology. This project aims to create a low-cost, open-source environmental sensing platform designed collaboratively with small-scale growers. The platform will monitor critical factors such as soil moisture and microclimates to assist farmers in making informed irrigation decisions. By focusing on participatory research, this project aims to facilitate equitable climate adaptation.
The final project, “REMEDIATE: Integrated Air and Soil Monitoring for Community-Engaged Disaster Response and Recovery,” is led by Javier Gonzalez-Rocha, an assistant professor of applied mathematics, alongside co-principal investigators Adina Paytan, a professor of earth and planetary sciences, and Tamara Ball, a lecturer at the Baskin School of Engineering. This team intends to integrate airborne and surface-level data to provide a clearer understanding of contaminant deposition in affected areas. Their approach combines sensor networks with targeted soil sampling, enabling more detailed environmental assessments that can rapidly identify contamination hotspots. This innovative system will facilitate timely and cost-effective responses to environmental challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Future Funding Opportunities and Initiatives
Looking ahead, the CITRIS Core Seed Funding program is set to invite proposals for collaborative research from teams that include researchers from multiple UC campuses, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Merced. The 2026 request for proposals will open in February, providing new opportunities for interdisciplinary projects.
Additionally, CITRIS at UC Santa Cruz supports student initiatives through its Tech for Social Good program, with applications for its technology track open until November 15, 2025. The program also offers the CIDER Drone Pilot Training, which trains students in safe drone operation, focusing on agricultural and environmental applications. Applications for this program will be accepted until November 3, 2025.
The CITRIS I2P program exemplifies UC Santa Cruz’s commitment to addressing societal challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging technology to create meaningful impacts in communities.
