The CITRIS Interdisciplinary Innovation Program (I2P) has awarded funding to three innovative projects at the University of California, Santa Cruz, aimed at addressing significant societal challenges through technology. This year’s program specifically sought proposals in the areas of Society, Media and Technology; Agricultural Technology (AgTech); and Educational Technology (EdTech). Following a competitive selection process, three projects were chosen for funding.
Overview of Funded Projects
The selected projects showcase a diverse range of expertise across various disciplines, involving principal investigators from eight different departments. Each project aims to create impactful solutions that leverage technology for community benefit.
One of the funded projects, titled Understanding Computational Thinking and Skill Development with Large Language Models, is led by Leilani Gilpin, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering. Co-investigators include assistant professor of psychology Hannah Hausman, along with linguistics professors Matt Wagers and Pranav Anand. This project will examine how Large Language Models (LLMs) influence computational thinking in an entry-level research context. Participants will engage in programming tasks while their behavioral data—such as eye movements, mouse clicks, and speech—will be recorded. The outcomes aim to inform a model predicting mastery based on participant behavior.
Another project, Equitable Environmental Sensing for Sustainability, is spearheaded by Colleen Josephson, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, with co-investigator Crystele Leathaud from the Center for Agroecology. This initiative seeks to design and field-test a low-cost, open-source environmental sensing platform tailored for small growers. The platform will monitor crucial parameters like soil moisture and microclimate to aid in irrigation decisions, emphasizing equitable climate adaptation.
The third project, titled REMEDIATE: Integrated Air and Soil Monitoring for Community-Engaged Disaster Response and Recovery, is directed by Javier Gonzalez-Rocha, an assistant professor of applied mathematics. Co-investigators include Adina Paytan, a professor of earth and planetary sciences, and Tamara Ball, a lecturer and director of experiential learning at the Baskin School of Engineering. This project aims to integrate airborne and surface-level data to assess environmental contamination more effectively. By combining sensor networks with targeted soil sampling, the team will generate comprehensive environmental assessments, facilitating rapid identification of contamination hotspots in at-risk communities.
Future Funding Opportunities
Looking ahead, the CITRIS Core Seed Funding program will continue to invite proposals that require collaboration among researchers from multiple UC CITRIS campuses, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC Merced. The upcoming 2026 request for proposals is set to open in February.
CITRIS at UC Santa Cruz also supports student projects and events through its Tech for Social Good program, with applications for the technology track open until November 15, 2025. Additionally, the CITRIS CIDER Drone Pilot Training program is currently accepting applications until November 3, 2025. This program focuses on training students in the safe and effective use of drones, particularly for agricultural and environmental applications.
With these initiatives, the CITRIS I2P Program aims to foster innovative research that addresses critical societal issues while enhancing collaboration across disciplines and campuses. For further information, interested parties can visit the CITRIS website.