Daniela Rodrigues Silva

Daniela Rodrigues Silva

Postdoctoral researcher
Free University Amsterdam

Daniela Rodrigues Silva

Department

Theoretical Chemistry

Contact information

Room
W&N building – R-142

Email address
d.rodriguessilva@vu.nl

Key expertises

Radical chemistry, chemical bonding, reactivity, density functional theory, energy decomposition analysis

About me

I was born and raised in Lavras, a small town in the southeast of Brazil. I got my BSc and MSc degrees in Chemistry from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). In 2018, I came to the Netherlands as part of a joint PhD degree in Chemistry between my home institution (UFLA) and the Free University (VU) Amsterdam. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in the ARC CBBC bilateral project between the VU and Nouryon. Besides Chemistry, I enjoy spending time with friends, travelling, and reading.

About my research

The goal of the research project is to develop a computational toolbox consisting of a large set of consistent thermochemical and structural data as well as physical models that allow for the rational design of more efficient, sustainable polymerization initiators of industrial interest. One aspect of my research is to revisit and understand fundamental concepts of chemistry, such as chemical bonding and reactivity, within the framework of quantum mechanics. This provides a continuous learning experience for me, which I find most fascinating about chemical sciences.