Carol Felix
Researcher
Hometown: Itajubá-MG, Brazil
I did my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Brazil, in Physics from Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), and then went to KU Leuven in Belgium for my PhD in Quantum Chromodynamics Theory (QCD). I thought I wanted to be a professor, but I came to realize that I didn’t really enjoy the teaching, the course planning, and the grading part, what I really wanted to do was research. But it was not easy to find a good research job in Brazil at that time, so I looked for jobs around the world, and I ended up applying for a couple of post-doc positions in Taiwan, and finally accepting a job at Chung Yuan Christian University in Chung-Li.
I knew very little about Taiwan before coming here, mainly just what you read in the news, and also I knew some Taiwanese people in Brazil. After moving here I found it’s very safe, and the people are kind and polite, very open and accepting of foreigners, compared to other countries I’ve lived in. I also like the food, I’m vegetarian and Taiwan is quite vegetarian friendly. I don’t love the weather here, it’s too hot most of the year.
After more than two years at CYCU, I was offered three postdoctoral opportunities in total: one in southern Taiwan, one in Ireland and another one at National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) in Hsinchu, Taiwan. I chose to join the NSRRC. By then I knew I liked it here, but I wanted to find a more permanent job. I applied for an ITRI job on the 104.com website, the interview went well and I was eventually offered a position in ITRI’s Material and Chemical Research Labs (MCL).
At ITRI, I mainly do data analysis and machine learning applied to non-destructive testing (NDT). I work on several projects, all related to this field. For example, in a project with a gas company using magnetic flux leakage (MFL) to predict earlier defects and leakages, I am responsible for building machine learning models to make the data analysis faster and more precise. In another project, I helped to integrate ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and LiDAR data to construct 3D underground maps. I am also contributing to a project involving active sound waves in water-filled buried pipelines, where I assist another department in understanding the behavior and underlying physics of the wave propagation.
When I started at ITRI in 2023, my supervisor has encouraged me to develop into an independent project leader within three years. So, I have been familiarizing myself with project management practices, as this knowledge is essential for applying for funding and eventually leading projects independently. I have begun preparing to apply for research funding—an important step toward becoming an independent project leader, as my supervisor envisioned.
I tell my friends that I found my dream job. I am still conducting physics research, but it's applied physics, covering various fields, and it involves environmental protection, which is significant to me. I also enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of the projects ITRI offers, allowing me to apply my skills across different domains. The projects are well-funded, and I am fortunate to work with a supportive team and supervisors who provide constructive feedback and trust in my capabilities. This combination gives me the freedom and confidence to pursue what I want. I am constantly learning new things, and I love it. I genuinely enjoy challenging myself and stepping outside my comfort zone. This is exactly the job I dreamed about!
In my free time, I like to travel around Taiwan, there are some amazing places, such as Taroko Gorge. But I can’t travel too much, because I have two cats at home. I also make frequent use of the ITRI YoHo Club, a fantastic sports center where I swim, do Pilates, Zumba, work out, play badminton, or join yoga sessions—choosing between lunch breaks, after work, or weekends depending on my schedule. Outside of sports, I also enjoy doing puzzles, reading, and hiking. When I have the opportunity, I love assembling IKEA furniture—it feels like solving a giant puzzle, which I enjoy very much.