Growing up in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, Thalita Nazare dreamt of becoming a teacher or professor. This strongly held conviction was a constant motivation as she entered university as an engineering student. Thalita realised that dedication and passion for her subject area would be essential to achieving her ambitions. It was the start of a journey that led to Maynooth University, where she is studying for a PhD in Engineering. We wanted to discover more about Thalita and her academic adventure, so we sat down for a chat.
Exploring a study path
Thalita is a self-described lover of humanities subjects but has a great affinity for mathematics. This natural STEM ability proved to be an important factor in her pursuit of an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Thalita discovered after her first year that civil engineering didn’t quite align with her interests and ambitions, which saw her change to an electrical engineering specialisation. Once she had made the move, she had found her academic home and dedicated herself to the field.
“Some people said I was mad to swap to electrical engineering because it’s considered a difficult degree,” explains Thalita. “But I knew it was the right choice for me. From my first year, I tried to take advantage of every opportunity, speak to professors, and get involved in research groups. I wanted to gain as much knowledge as I could.”
Thalita admits that it was an adjustment, trying to learn new concepts and gain a solid foundation in the field. Proactivity and actively asking for help was an approach that Thalita took, making sure she understood her subject and potential paths. This approach would prove significant as it brought her into contact with a supervisor whom she credits as one of her biggest influences.
Opening doors
“To be honest, studying abroad wasn’t something I had ever considered, or thought was a possibility. I had always imagined I would stay in Brazil and complete my degrees there,” says Thalita. “I wasn’t even sure how I would realise my dream of becoming an academic. That all changed just after I finished my master’s degree and was looking to move on to my PhD.”
Thalita explained that she contacted her master’s degree supervisor, Dr Erivelton Nepomuceno, to get more information about the next steps and to discuss her research. It was then Dr Nepomuceno proposed she consider studying abroad in Ireland at Maynooth University, where he was now based. Given they had a good relationship built over many years, Thalita knew it was an opportunity she had to think seriously about.
“You don’t get chances like this often in life, and while I knew it would be a big change, I wanted to give it a try,” says Thalita. “I discussed it with my family and partner, who were encouraging and supportive. I had to put my anxiety to one side, have faith and start planning for the possibility. One thing I knew I had to do was improve my English, which I started doing immediately.”
In addition to developing her English language skills, Thalita also made an application for a John and Pat Hume Doctoral Award to help fund her studies in Ireland. She described this process as challenging and slightly stressful, especially waiting to hear whether she had been successful. For Thalita, the news was good, she secured four years of doctoral research funding and knew she would travel to Ireland.
Embracing uncertainty and opportunity
“It was really hard to leave my partner and family behind in Brazil. My partner and I have been together for many years, and she was extremely supportive and told me I had to take the opportunity,” elaborates Thalita. “The transition was a little easier because I knew my supervisor well, and when I arrived, my fellow students and researchers were very kind and welcoming, which I appreciated. We started bonding after sharing lunch, and my confidence grew through these interactions.”
The transition to life in Ireland came with a bit of homesickness but also with some interesting observations. Thalita admits that for most students, the weather and food are the primary elements to adjust to, but for her, it was how quiet and peaceful the environment was. Used to the hustle and bustle of Brazil, she admits developing a liking for the quieter side of life offered by Maynooth. Coupled with this is the warmth of the Irish people and the university community.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still like seeing and talking with people and getting involved in various activities. I just think that the relaxed atmosphere is ideal for research and academic life,” explains Thalita. “To be honest, I still haven’t got used to the food. Luckily there is a large Brazilian community in Ireland, so I can get ingredients from back home and even go to Brazilian restaurants.”
Thalita has become actively involved in community life over the last year and a half since moving to Ireland. She has joined the table tennis and volleyball clubs, as well as the university’s Pride Society. In addition, she acts as a Brazilian Student Ambassador for Education in Ireland and was part of the founding of a student branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Thalita has also enjoyed travelling around Ireland and Europe, to places including Dublin, Scotland, Spain, and Denmark. She also spent one month on a doctoral exchange in Toulouse, France.
Looking to make an impact
Thalita described how studying abroad has opened a whole set of new opportunities and changed her perspectives. What has seemed impossible has become reality, with her experience serving as further motivation for her PhD, which deals with crucial research into sustainable energy. Thalita underlines her belief that research, and study should aim to make a difference and impact and be shared.
“I’ve enjoyed the academic journey so far and feel supported by my colleagues. We often work collaboratively as part of labs, which enriches the experience,” says Thalita. “My work concentrates on sustainable energy generation, particularly wind turbines. I’m looking at green computing as a solution to modelling to find the most effective way to implement this. I’m a member of the Centre for Ocean Energy Research, which helps with discussing and sharing insights and ideas.”
Thalita is committed both to her research and developing her teaching skills, as she aims to continue in academia with a post-doctoral or teaching fellowship position. She underscores how important she feels sharing research and encouraging students to explore and discover innovative solutions is. Thalita is passionate about supporting the next generation of students to fulfil their potential and discover what is possible for them.
“I would encourage prospective students not to create artificial barriers to pursuing their ambitions. There is so much you can learn and adjust to. Always find people who you trust to talk through your options and ideas. This is critical,” concludes Thalita. “Be open to new experiences, places and most importantly people. Go out and meet people, make friends, and enjoy your opportunities.”
Chat with Couru
