Nov. 6, 2025
Sergio Gago-Masague, an associate professor of teaching and vice chair of the professional master’s program in computer science, adds another title under his belt: the first California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CALIT2) associate director for training programs.
In his new role, Gago-Masague will focus on designing and supporting interdisciplinary educational initiatives and training programs for students at CALIT2. His day-to-day responsibilities will see him mentoring student teams, coordinating with faculty and external partners and helping run programs that connect research with functional applications. Broadly, Gago-Masague will help shape the vision for CALIT2’s training ecosystem, supporting research-based learning, equity-driven outreach and industry engagement across multiple disciplines.
The role was created to strengthen CALIT2’s commitment to hands-on student training in emerging technology fields like AI, Internet of Things (IoT) and digital health.
Pictured, from left, are Athina Markopoulou, Sergio Gago-Masague and Jennifer Garizi who work together at CALIT2 on research and educational opportunities as the director, the associate director for training programs and the executive assistant to the director, respectively.
“The institute has long supported interdisciplinary research; this position helps formalize and expand the educational and mentorship components that naturally grow from that work,” said Gago-Masague. “I’m especially excited to be stepping into this role under the leadership of Athina Markopoulou, whose vision for CALIT2 reflects a strong commitment to inclusive, high-impact research and training.”
Created 25 years ago, CALIT2 is one of four Gray Davis Institutes for Science and Innovation located at a University of California campus. The state-of-the-art facility extends beyond solely research and education by emphasizing a focus on development with proof-of-concepts and prototypes — allowing researchers’ work to exist in a real-world context.
“It has honestly felt like home to me,” said Gago-Masague of CALIT2. “What makes it unique is its ability to combine creativity with rigor. It’s a place where imagination meets applied research to generate solutions that improve people’s lives. I remain committed to advancing its mission and contributing to its continued growth and impact.”
Gago-Masague started his journey with UCI and CALIT2 in 2012. After graduating from the highly selective industrial engineering program at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain, he arrived at UCI through the California- Catalonia Balsells Fellowship Program. He now serves as the associate director of the global program.
After falling in love with the Golden State, he planted roots here, and began working with former CALIT2 Director G.P. Li on the California Plug Load Research Center (CalPlug), which connects academic and industry partners to advance energy efficiency.
Since then, Gago-Masague has worked on digital health, sustainability and applied AI projects. His efforts allowed him to build programs that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and directly engage students in practical applications of problem solving.
“This role aligns perfectly with my core belief that education should be experiential, inclusive and connected to real-world challenges,” said Gago-Masague, the new CALIT2 associate director for training programs. “I’ve always focused on building learning environments where students don’t just absorb knowledge; they apply it to create meaningful solutions. This position allows me to scale that approach, developing programs that reflect the diverse talents and ambitions of UCI students, while also creating new opportunities for collaboration among faculty, researchers and industry partners.”
– Cassandra Nava
