UC Santa Cruz researchers are principal investigators of four collaborative teams chosen for funding by the the signature seed funding program of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) and the Banatao Institute.
Ten teams received a one-time award of up to $60,000 each for interdisciplinary work that can lead to larger research programs and extramural grant proposals. They include the following four teams with UCSC principal investigators:
Sustainable Infrastructures: Multi-hazard risk analysis to inform distribution grid upgrades for reliability and resilience
Researchers will develop probabilistic methods for modeling regional power distribution networks exposed to different types of natural hazards. The principal investigators are Yu Zhang at UC Santa Cruz and Scott Moura at UC Berkeley.
People And Robots: Soft robotic, autonomous and intelligent wireless router
This project aims to demonstrate an intelligent system that can move autonomously, interact with, learn from, and adapt to its environment for optimal and robust functionality and survivability. The principal investigators are Michael Wehner at UC Santa Cruz, Ruzena Bajcsy at UC Berkeley, and Linda Katehi at UC Davis.
Health: Active soft wearables, a novel approach to mobility and rehabilitation
Researchers will develop two test fixtures, for the upper and lower extremities, to systematically evaluate ergonomics and effectiveness of applying loads via active soft orthotic devices. The principal investigators are Fadi Fathallah at UC Davis and Michael Wehner at UC Santa Cruz.
Women In Technology: Comparative analysis of interdisciplinary training for STEM scholars
This project seeks to collect comparative cross-campus data on two STEM graduate curriculums at UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz that make questions of gender and social justice fundamental to STEM training. The principal investigators are Kalindi Vora, Sara Giordano, and Sarah McCullough at UC Davis, and Jenny Reardon and Karen Barad at UC Santa Cruz.
CITRIS and the Banatao Institute create information technology solutions for society’s most pressing challenges. Established in 2001, the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS) leverages the interdisciplinary research strengths of multiple UC campuses to advance the University of California’s mission and the innovative spirit of California. The institute was created to shorten the pipeline between world-class laboratory research and the development of cutting-edge applications, platforms, companies, and even new industries.
