Affiliated Departments & Programs

Luiz Oliveira works at the intersection of computational chemistry, biophysics and materials science. His research, conducted in close collaboration with undergraduate students, uses molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical methods to study systems such as knotted proteins, graphyne membranes, and gold nanoclusters.

With eight years of experience teaching chemistry at the undergraduate level, Oliveira brings a strong commitment to active learning and hands-on computational work in the classroom bringing together students from diverse backgrounds to explore computing as a cross-disciplinary tool.

Before joining Kenyon, Oliveira held faculty positions at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and the University of Cincinnati, and he conducted research at the University of Washington and the Université de Toulouse in France.

He is a member of the MERCURY Consortium, a network of institutions supporting undergraduate computational chemistry research.

Areas of Expertise

Computational chemistry, molecular dynamics simulations

Courses Recently Taught

This laboratory course accompanies CHEM 121 and 122 with an introduction to modern experimental chemistry. Laboratory experiments explore inorganic synthesis, molecular structure and properties, and spectroscopy, with an emphasis on laboratory safety, computerized data acquisition and analysis, and the theory of analytical instrumentation. The laboratory work is organized around individual and team projects. Communication skills are developed through proper use of a laboratory notebook. One three-hour laboratory is held per week. Corequisite: CHEM 121 or 122. First-years and sophomores only. Offered every fall semester.

We create scientific knowledge through observation, mental models and careful design of experimental procedures. We invite you to explore and understand this process through a combination of practical experience and critical analysis. CHEM 123 and 126 are your introduction to modern experimental chemistry and are foundational to all upper-level chemistry laboratory courses. Course activities: analyze and design laboratory procedures, practice operation of laboratory equipment, assess and validate techniques, construct knowledge through discussion. Format: one three-hour laboratory session per week. Topics typically include gravimetric and volumetric techniques, standardization, titration, spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular modeling, separations, chromatography, thermal analysis, kinetics, programming, data acquisition and data analysis. Prerequisite: CHEM 123. First-years and sophomores only. Offered every spring semester.

This advanced laboratory course focuses on using computational methods to understand chemistry and biochemistry. Part of the course concentrates on using these methods to understand and visualize molecular structure, and part concentrates on using numerical methods to understand the kinetics and mechanisms associated with reaction systems. Computational work involves both short experiments done individually and a larger research project conducted in conjunction with classmates. This course meets for one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 335. Not offered every year.

This course presents an introduction to computer programming intended both for those who plan to take further courses in which a strong background in computation is desirable and for those who are interested in learning basic programming principles. The course will expose the student to a variety of applications where an algorithmic approach is natural and will include both numerical and non-numerical computation. The principles of program structure and style will be emphasized. May be paired with COMP 218 or with any mathematics or statistics course to satisfy the natural science diversification requirement. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.