Victor Flores, PhD

About Me

Hello,

I'm Victor, an engineer, data scientist, educator, and project manager with a passion for tackling challenges through data-driven solutions. From leading large-scale infrastructure projects to developing advanced Bayesian models and mentoring students, I bring a multidisciplinary approach to everything I do.

My career has taken me through diverse roles, including cutting-edge 3D cloud processing projects in Hong Kong, building communication infrastructures across continents, and teaching subjects that bridge engineering and data science. I thrive on learning and finding new ways to connect ideas across disciplines.

When I’m not working, I enjoy shooting on film cameras and exploring the unique character of each frame. I also enjoy collecting vinyl records and love discovering both classics and hidden gems. These hobbies keep me curious and remind me of the value of slowing down to appreciate the details.

I’m always open to new projects and collaborations. If you’d like to connect or share ideas, feel free to reach out.

Career

Professional Experience

Extensive background leading technical projects, data science initiatives, and construction management across multiple countries.

• Postdoctoral Fellow - Centre for Advances in Reliability and Safety (CAiRS)
  Jul 2024 - Present • Hong Kong
  Integrating machine learning models and sensor data with visualization tools to improve fault detection in steel wire ropes. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Principal Consultant - katalytics
  Jan 2024 - Present • Global
  Providing advanced data science consulting with a focus on Bayesian modeling, machine learning integration, and uncertainty quantification for engineering challenges.
• Lead Project Manager - Kodifly
  Oct 2023 - May 2024 • Hong Kong
  Spearheaded 3D cloud AI processing projects, overseeing system architecture, and managing stakeholder engagement.
• Cell Site Construction Manager - CARSO Infraestructura y Construccion
  2015 - 2016 • Costa Rica
  Executed over 250 cell site projects within six months, managing large-scale turnkey solutions.
• Head of Outside Plant Construction and Maintenance - CARSO Infraestructura y Construccion
  2014 - 2015 • Honduras
  Led nationwide communication projects in Honduras, increasing monthly revenue to 500K USD and managing a team of 120 workers.
• Head of Construction and Quality Assurance - CARSO Infraestructura y Construccion
  2013 • Colombia
  Supervised marine fiber optics projects as well as urban underground drilling and fiber optics installations, ensuring quality and safety compliance.

Teaching Experience

Dedicated educator with a rich experience in teaching various curriculums and providing student support.

• Teacher Trainee - ESF Sha Tin College and ICHK
  2022 - 2023 • Hong Kong
  Participated in PGCE program, focusing on lesson planning, student progress tracking, and extracurricular activity involvement. Taught subjects including IB Physics, Chemistry, and GCSE Combined Science.
• Postgraduate Teaching Assistant - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  2018 - 2022 • Hong Kong
  As a Ph.D. candidate, facilitated lectures and tutorials, and evaluated significant coursework in engineering.
• Undergraduate Hall Tutor - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  2020 - 2022 • Hong Kong
  Provided guidance to undergraduates, covering pastoral care, conflict resolution, and mental health support.

Skills

Well-rounded skill set with a strong foundation in both technical and transferable skills.

Technical Skills

• Bayesian analysis, probabilistic programming, and uncertainty quantification.
• Data wrangling, visualization, predictive modeling, and machine learning techniques.
• Development of interactive dashboards for data visualization and analysis.
• Programming expertise in Julia, Python, and MATLAB.
• Proficient in probabilistic programming languages like PyMC, NumPyro, Turing.jl, and RxInfer.jl.
• Experienced with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and Flux.jl.
• Finite element analysis with ABAQUS.

Transferable Skills

• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and collaboration abilities.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
• Proficiency in project management and academic writing.

Academia

Education

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2018 - 2022)

  The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology • Hong Kong

  Area of Research: Probabilistic Structural Dynamics and Uncertainty Quantification

• M.Sc. in Offshore and Coastal Engineering (2016 - 2018)

  Far Eastern Federal University • Vladivostok, Russia

  Area of Research: Offshore Floating Wind Turbine Simulation

• B.Sc. in Civil Engineering (2007 - 2010)

  Michigan Technological University • Houghton, MI, USA

  Minor in German Language, Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Certificates

• PGCE in Secondary Teaching (2022 - 2023)

  University of Sunderland • Sunderland, UK

Doctoral Thesis

• "A Bayesian framework for uncertainty quantification and propagation in multiaxial fatigue monitoring and reliability assessment" (Aug. 2022). The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. doi: 10.14711/thesis-991013114555303412

Publications

• Flores Terrazas Victor, Sedehi Omid, Papadimitriou Costas, and Katafygiotis Lambros (Jan. 2021). "A streamline approach to multiaxial fatigue monitoring using virtual sensing." In: Structural Control and Health Monitoring 29 (1), e2863. issn: 1545-2255. doi: 10.1002/stc.2863.
• Flores Terrazas Victor, Sedehi Omid, Katafygiotis Lambros, and Papadimitriou Costas (Oct. 2022). "A Bayesian framework for calibration of multiaxial fatigue curves." In: International Journal of Fatigue 163, p. 107105. issn: 0142-1123. doi: doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.107105.
• Ercan Tulay, Tatsis Konstantinos, Flores Terrazas Victor, Chatzi Eleni and Papadimitriou Costas (July 2022). "Optimal Sensor Configuration Design for Virtual Sensing in a Wind Turbine Blade Using Information Theory" In: Model Validation and Uncertainty Quantification, Volume 3: Proceedings of the 40th IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics 2022. doi: doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04090-0_8
• Flores Terrazas Victor, Sedehi Omid, Katafygiotis Lambros, and Papadimitriou Costas (Nov. 2020). "Monitoring fatigue damage accumulation of wind turbine towers using limited number of output-only vibration measurements" In: Proceedings of the XI International Conference on Structural Dynamics. doi: 10.47964/1120.9094.19302

Projects

Highlights of impactful projects showcasing technical expertise, interdisciplinary applications, and innovative solutions.

Award-Winning Projects

• Good First Issues Recommender (NumHack 2024)

  Two-member team effort project for NumHack 2024. Won 1st place in "Train" and 2nd place in "Analyze" categories. Created an end-to-end solution to recommend open-source issues using collaborative filtering. Implemented data collection, wrangling, machine learning, and a functional Streamlit dashboard prototype.

• Diagnostic Tool for Feline Diseases (Genie Dashboard Contest)

  Developed an analytics dashboard for pathogen test kit efficiency as a project under Katalytics. Leveraged machine learning and visualization techniques to assist in diagnosing feline diseases. The project earned 3rd place in the Genie Dashboard Contest for its interactive and actionable insights. Live app available here.

Data Science & Engineering Projects

• AI-Driven Steel Wire Rope Fault Detection

  Developed pipelines for sensor data processing, integrating Variational Autoencoders in Julia and Convolutional Neural Networks in PyTorch. Designed a full-stack dashboard for real-time visualization in Julia interfaced with Python Machine Learning models under the hood, streamlining fault detection from raw data to actionable insights.

• Interactive Elections Data Insights Dashboard

  Created a public-facing dashboard to visualize and analyze election data in Mexico. Focused on interactive visualizations, data wrangling, and cleaning to reveal voting patterns and trends.

• Audio Denoiser with Bayesian Filters

  Developed an audio denoiser using Bayesian filtering techniques with RxInfer.jl. Integrated state estimation and signal reconstruction methods to enhance audio clarity, demonstrating advanced filtering capabilities for noisy signals.

• Structural Monitoring Dashboard with AKF

  Created a Genie-based interactive dashboard for structural health monitoring. Implemented Augmented Kalman Filters (AKF) and Smoothers with unknown noise covariances, enabling users to simulate different input types (sinusoidal, impulse, etc.) and analyze dynamic system responses in real-time.

Creative & Experimental Projects

• Augmented Kalman Filter for Structural System Monitoring Tutorial

  Implemented an Augmented Kalman Filter (AKF) using RxInfer.jl for monitoring structural dynamic systems. Integrated sensor data and Bayesian inference to estimate loads and states, providing a robust solution for structural health monitoring. Also available in the official RxInfer.jl documentation.

• Virtual Theremin with MediaPipe and PureData

  Developed a virtual theremin application using MediaPipe for hand tracking and PureData for sound generation. Enabled pitch and volume control through the movement of fingers, creating an interactive and innovative musical instrument prototype.

Interests

Photography

I’m passionate about film photography and vintage cameras, capturing the nuances of everyday life. Here are some of my favorite film photos.

Music

I enjoy collecting vinyl records, exploring both classic and obscure albums. I also have fun experimenting with digital sound creation using PureData and attempting (with varying success!) to play the bass and ukulele.

Connect

I value collaboration and am always eager to explore projects that bring new perspectives and challenges. Whether it's groundbreaking research, innovative technology, or creative problem-solving, I’d love to hear about it.

If you're looking for a collaborative partner, want to exchange ideas, or are interested in discussing new technologies and approaches, feel free to reach out!

You can contact me through the links below or by email. Let’s discover how we can create meaningful impact together.

• GitHub
• LinkedIn
• Email
• katalytics

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