Background: Sergio Velazquez, a computer science student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), is a dedicated learner with a growing passion for data science and software engineering. As a first-generation college student, Sergio has actively pursued hands-on opportunities to expand his knowledge beyond the classroom. In Summer 2025, he joined a competitive research internship at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, where he collaborated with a multidisciplinary team on AgTech solutions that merge agriculture, UAV imaging, and data analysis. Sergio’s strengths lie in translating complex technical tasks into real-world applications, with experience ranging from microcontroller programming to spatial data modeling in QGIS.
Internship Goals: During his internship, Sergio aims to bridge the gap between data collection and actionable insight. He is focused on developing tools such as reinforcement learning models for smart irrigation, computer vision systems for plant health detection, and ArcGIS-integrated pipelines for geospatial data processing. By contributing to research that tackles real-world agricultural challenges, Sergio seeks to deepen his understanding of AI, computer vision, and geospatial analysis in applied settings.
Career Aspirations: Sergio aspires to become a software engineer or data scientist with a focus on impactful technologies. He is particularly interested in using AI and machine learning to solve problems in sustainability, food security, and environmental monitoring. Long term, he plans to continue working at the intersection of technology and social good—either through industry or advanced research in graduate school.
Interests: Outside of academics and research, Sergio enjoys building personal software projects, learning about new frameworks, and exploring creative tech solutions. His recent work includes developing Android applications with customizable UI themes and contributing to real-time data analysis tools. Whether it’s integrating UAV imagery into decision-making or automating workflows in Python, Sergio’s curiosity and initiative drive him to keep exploring new technical frontiers.