Faculty, students, industry partners and supporters gathered in Sutardja Dai Hall at UC Berkeley on Feb. 26 for CITRIS Day 2026, marking the launch of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS). Held under the theme “Engineering a Future Fit for Humanity,” the event highlighted research and partnerships across the University of California’s four CITRIS campuses and explored how technology can continue to serve the public good.
The day opened with a scientific session led by CITRIS Director Alexandre Bayen and Executive Director Camille Crittenden, featuring recent CITRIS-supported projects. Speakers included David Lu, founder of CITRIS Foundry startup Clarity Movement Co. and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential leaders driving climate action for 2025; Scott Moura of UC Berkeley and Cristina Davis of UC Davis, both recipients of CITRIS Seed Funding; and Michele Barbato, director of the CITRIS Climate initiative, who discussed the Earth Block Masonry project.
Industry collaboration was a central theme. A panel moderated by Murat Arcak brought together leaders from DNV, Kajima Corp. and Titan Group who traveled from Norway, Japan and Greece to discuss how partnerships with universities accelerate the translation of research into practical applications. Graduate students and recent alumni also presented lightning talks highlighting emerging innovations.
In afternoon remarks, Bayen was joined by former California Gov. Gray Davis, who reflected on the founding vision behind the California Institutes for Science & Innovation and the importance of ensuring that research reaches beyond the laboratory.
“You can invent something that’s great,” Davis said. “But does it benefit society? Does it make a difference? Do people use it? Does it become part of their lives? That’s what makes CITRIS so unique and successful.”
Randy Katz, S. Shankar Sastry, Paul Wright, former UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau, Ruzena Bacjsy, Alexandre Bayen, UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and Costas Spanos.
A subsequent panel featuring Matt Sonsini, Arturo Pizano of Siemens and UC Berkeley robotics pioneer Pieter Abbeel examined entrepreneurship, industry partnerships and the evolving role of artificial intelligence.
The event also recognized emerging researchers with the inaugural Costas John Spanos Awards for Excellence in Semiconductor Research, honoring graduate students whose work advances semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology.
A highlight of the day was a panel bringing together past and present CITRIS leadership. Former directors Randy Katz, Shankar Sastry, Paul Wright and Costas Spanos joined founding director Ruzena Bajcsy — who traveled from Philadelphia to attend the celebration — to reflect on the institute’s development over the past quarter century. Their conversation traced the evolution of CITRIS from its founding in 2000 to its current role as a hub for cross-campus collaboration in technology research and real-world deployment.
The program concluded with remarks from chancellors representing the CITRIS campuses, a keynote address by Rey Banatao of X, the Moonshot Factory, and the unveiling of commemorative plaques honoring CITRIS’s directors and the Banatao family.
“CITRIS was founded on the idea that technology should address real societal challenges,” said Bayen, Liao-Cho Innovation Endowed Chair and professor of electrical engineering and computer sciences and of civil and environmental engineering at UC Berkeley. “Twenty-five years later, that mission continues to guide our work across the University of California as we bring together research, industry and public leadership to build solutions for the future.”
Photos by Saul Bromberger