Felipe Nonato Cardoso Sobral Junior

• felipencsj [at] gmail.com

Currently, I'm a PhD researcher at the University of Tsukuba working with evolutionary computation and Quality-Diversity algorithms. What draws me to this field is the capacity of evolution to generate a wide variety of solutions without being told what to look for: novelty and diversity as a feature, not a side effect. I build simulations and tools that explore this idea: artificial creatures, procedural generators, open-ended systems where interesting things emerge from simple rules. If you want a quick taste, I made a demo inspired by Picbreeder in PICO-8 that you can try here. You can also find my projects on GitHub and follow my writing on the blog! I'm also a hardware modding hobbist and GameDev!

Index

• Projects
• Publications
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Other Activities
• Language Proficiency

Projects

• Pixel Breeder
  -- non4to/PixelBreeder
  Interactive evolution tool inspired by Picbreeder, built for PICO-8. It generates patterns from mathematical functions, allowing users to "breed" complex patterns through selection and mutation. A demonstration of emergent visual complexity from simple genetic rules.

• SoftbodyGodot
  -- /non4to/SoftbodyGodot
  Artificial Life simulation of softbody organisms that self-replicate, form physical attachments, and evolve behavior over time. Each organism carries a gene encoding movement, attachment, and survival strategies. Built in Godot 4 with Rapier2D.

• fGBA - The pico8 game console (2025 - Current)
  -- click for details! A retro handheld console built from scratch inside a Game Boy Advance shell. Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, with a custom SPI display pipeline (ILI9341V + fbcp-ili9341), GPIO button input, PAM8302A audio amplifier, 2000mAh battery with boost converter and charger module. Running RetroPie, PICO-8 and steam link. Display, audio, and input are fully functional. Currently in final assembly.

  fGBA: PICO-8 running on ILI9341V display.

• RGPlants - PROCJAM2024 (2024)
  -- /non4to/PROCJAM-2024
  Open-ended evolution simulation where 4,096 color-coded organisms spread, blend, and mutate across a grid. No fitness function — only emergent patterns from local neighbor interactions. Built with Python and Pygame. Submitted to PROCJAM 2024.

• RPG NPC file creator (2023)
  -- /non4to/CharacterFiles
  Genetic algorithm that evolves balanced TTRPG character sheets toward a user-defined win rate. Fitness evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation — 1,000 combat simulations per individual. Built with Python.

• Rhymming and Saying (2023)
  -- /non4to/Rhymming-and-Sayings
  Procedural text generator combining Context-Free Grammars with phoneme-based rhyme matching via NLTK/WordNet. Produces structurally valid, rhyming poems. Built with Python.

• Small games and interactive demos.

Publications

• Sobral Júnior, Felipe N. C; Rueda Medina, Augusto C.; Otimização de Índices de Desempenho Aplicado ao Sistema Elétrico do Espírito Santo. [Performance indexes optimization applied to the Electrical System of Espírito Santo, author's translation] In: XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Automática (CBA) 2020, Santa Maria (Virtual), RS, Brasil. ISSN: 2525-8311 Available at: https://sba.org.br/open_journal_systems/index.php/cba/article/view/1127　DOI: https://doi.org/10.48011/asba.v2i1.1127 (In portuguese)

• Soares, R. B. ; Cunha, C. C. M. ; Menegaz, P. J. M. ; Miranda, C. M. ; Reis, I. A. ; Sobral Junior, F. N. C.; Astore, L. M. ; Lima, B. S. ; Barroso, B. S. ; Caldeira, T. ; "Graduação Sanduíche como Estratégia de Internacionalização: Experiência dos Estudantes de Engenharia Elétrica da UFES" [Undergraduate Sandwich program as an internationalization strategy: The UFES Electrical Engineering student experience, author's translation]. In: Proceedings of the XLIV Brazilian Congress on Engineering Education (COBENGE 2016). Natal, Brazil: ABENGE, 2016. ISSN: 2175-957X. Available at: www.abenge.org.br/cobenge/legado/arquivos/3/anais/anais/159860.pdf (In portuguese)

Professional Experience

• (Apr 2023 - July 2023) Teaching Assistant on Data Science - University of Tsukuba
  Support the teacher in class, help students with excel and statistics. Software: Excel

• (Jul 2017 - Apr 2018) Internship - BeLight Energia
  Conducted extensive research for startup company projects. (Clean Development Mechanism)
  Prepared project presentations and reports to assist senior staff. (Electrical design/Solar powerplants)
  Facilitated successful completion of projects from concept to launch. (Electrical design/Solar powerplants)
  Software: Excel, Autocad

• (Feb 2011 - Feb 2012) English Teacher - CCAA
  Established positive classroom management boundaries to create safe, known environment for behaviour among students.
  Graded students work based on completion, timeliness and accuracy and kept detailed records of grades.
  Successfully improved English-speaking students' English grammar and vocabulary levels through written and interactive activities.

Education

• (Expected March 2027) Phd Student Computer Science - University of Tsukuba (Japan)
  Laboratory of Evolutionary Computation
  MEXT Scholarship: Human Centered A.I Society program
  Keywords: Artificial Life, Open-Endedness, Genetic Algorithms, Markov Chains, Softrobots, GameAI, Quality-Diversity, Procedural Content Generation

• (Mar 2024) Msc. Computer Science - University of Tsukuba (Japan)
  Laboratory of Evolutionary Computation
  MEXT Scholarship: Human Centered A.I Society program
  Thesis Title: Generating Stories from A.I.Wolf using graph analysis of game logs.
  Keywords: Graphs, Knowledge Graphs, Narrative Generation, A.I.Wolf.
  Skills: Python, Linux, NetworkX, Vscode, GitHub, Knowledge Graphs, Narrative Generation, Scientific Writing, Data Analysis, Research Presentation.

• (Oct 2021) Msc. Electrical Engineering - Federal University of Espírito Santo (Brazil)
  Laboratory of power electronics and electrical drive
  CAPES Scholarship
  Thesis Title: Optimization of the Electrical Power System of the State of Espírito Santo considering the weighted sum of performance indexes and the expansion of power generation through intermittent renewable energy sources.
  Keywords: Electrical Power Systems, Renewable Energy Sources, Markov Chains, Optimization.
  Skills: Python, Pandas, Matlab, Excel, Optimization, Scientific Writing, Data Analysis, Research Presentation

• (2019) BA Electrical Engineering - Federal University of Espírito Santo (Brazil)

Other Activities

• (Aug 2022 - Current) Member of AEBUT - Brazilian Student Association of University of Tsukuba – University of Tsukuba (Japan)
  Organizing events, participating in volunteer activities, supporting students with their needs regarding adaptation to Japan.

• (Aug 2023 – Mar 2024) Student Ambassador – University of Tsukuba (Japan)
  Guided embassy official during University of Tsukuba 50th anniversary ceremony.
  Guided Brazilian staff from state of Paraná, Araucária Foundation and Western Paraná University during visit to University of Tsukuba.

• (July 2023) Student Volunteer Alife - Alife Hokkaido, Japan
  Supporting staff during event reception, day-to-day operation.

• (Dec 2022) Committee member of CollaboTICS 2022 - University of Tsukuba (Japan)
  Supporting staff during online event operation.

• (Jul 2014 – Jul 2016) Member of Electrical Engineering Education and Tutorial Program – Federal University of Espírito Santo (Brazil)
  Engaged in research, teaching and extension activities with a group of students supervised by a professor.
  Project leader of English conversation and grammar review group for undergraduate students.
  Member of Arduino teaching group.

Language Proficiency

• Portuguese (Native)
• English (TOEFL iBt 103 - 2023)
• Japanese (Basic - Currently studying with private teacher)