Ana Carolina de Souza Feliciano, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Florida Space Institute at UCF
From Rio de Janeiro to Orlando, Ana Carolina de Souza Feliciano is helping uncover the mysteries of our Solar System. Originally from Brazil, Ana Carolina earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics, followed by both her master’s and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the National Observatory of Brazil. Her expertise is in planetary science, with a focus on minor bodies of the Solar System, including asteroids and trans-Neptunian objects.
Today, she serves as a Research Assistant Professor at the Florida Space Institute at UCF, where her work in observational astronomy explores the physical and compositional properties of these small bodies to better understand their origins, evolution, and how planetary systems are formed.
Ana Carolina first came to UCF in 2018 as a Ph.D. student for a research internship. The welcoming academic community and collaborations made a lasting impression. After completing her doctorate, she was invited to return as a postdoctoral researcher, an opportunity she was excited to accept. “The supportive environment and strong collaborations motivated me to continue my academic journey here,” she shares.
Her passion for planetary science comes from a lifelong fascination with how the Solar System formed and evolved. Small bodies like asteroids, comets, and trans-Neptunian objects preserve important clues about the early stages of planetary formation, helping researchers better understand how planets, including Earth, came to be.
As an international scholar at UCF, Ana Carolina says the experience has been both academically and personally transformative. Collaborating with researchers from various backgrounds has strengthened her scientific approach and helped her build a strong sense of community far from home. One of the most memorable milestones of her time at UCF came in 2024, when her first proposal as Principal Investigator was approved for the James Webb Space Telescope. That same year, she was unexpectedly recognized by the university president during a UCF basketball space game at center court. “It was a very special and memorable moment,” she says. “It truly reflected how much UCF supports and celebrates the achievements of its community.”
For aspiring graduate researchers, Ana Carolina offers advice: stay curious, stay persistent, and choose a topic you are truly passionate about. “Research can be challenging, and setbacks are part of the process,” she says. “But they are also opportunities to learn and grow.”
Through her work, Ana Carolina continues to push the boundaries of discovery, proving that curiosity and perseverance can take us far, sometimes even beyond our own planet.