Bio_Felipe_Perez

About

I completed my Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering, where I applied principles of statistical physics and thermodynamics to molecular simulations to study fluid behavior in unconventional reservoirs—systems in which ultra-confinement significantly alters fluid properties. I later investigated asphaltenes, often referred to as the “cholesterol of oil,” deepening my interest in connecting fundamental science with real-world challenges.

Ultimately, however, I felt called to invest more directly in people than in molecules. I believe deeply in the transformative power of education and in the responsibility we have to make engineering both accessible and meaningful to students from all backgrounds. Through Engineering Pathways, I have the opportunity to help students build not only technical competence, but also confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging in the profession.

My goal is to challenge and support students as they discover their potential, develop disciplined ways of thinking, and grow into engineers who will positively shape society.

Courses Taught

ENGR 1413 - Engineering Thinking

ENGR 2002 – Professional Skills and Responsibilities for Engineers and Scientists

Publications/academic works/Research Interests:

• Barbosa, G., F. Perez, J. Wang, J. Patterson, R. Kini, A. Kurup, and A. Striolo. "Structural Analysis of Asphaltene Aggregates in Bulk and Slit-Shaped Silica Mesopores Assessed by Coarse-Grained Simulations." Energy & Fuels, accepted.
• Perez, F., J. Wang, J. E. Patterson, R. Kini, A. S, Kurup, and A. Striolo. "Dynamic phenomena controlling asphaltene aggregation and stabilization as observed by molecular simulations." Fuel, vol. 397, pp. 135302, 2025.
• Le, T. T. B., L. C. Condes, G. D. Barbosa, F. Perez, M. T. Webb, M. Galizia, M. B. Nardelli, and A. Striolo. "Relationship between microporous structure and light gas transport through glassy polymeric membranes revealed by molecular simulations." Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2025.
• Perez, F., A. Ali, J. Wang, J. E. Patterson, R. Kini, and A. Striolo. "Machine learning suggests possible bias in molecular simulations for asphaltene systems." Energy & Fuels, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 7437-7453, 2024.
• Divine-Ayela, C., F. Perez, and A. Striolo. "Hop, skip, and jump: Hydrogen molecular transport through amorphous polyethylene matrices studied via molecular dynamics simulations." Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, vol. 62, no. 46, pp. 19893-19906, 2023.
• Perez, F., A. Striolo, J. Wang, J. Patterson, and R. Kini "Molecular signatures of asphaltene precipitation in a depressurization process. Energy & Fuels, vol. 37, no. 19, pp. 14688-14698, 2023.
• Devegowda, D. and F. Perez. "Application of molecular dynamics simulations for shale gas systems." In R. G. Moghanloo (Ed.), Unconventional Shale Gas Development. Lessons Learned, Gulf Professional Publishing, pp. 323-343, 2022.
• Perez, F. and D. Devegowda. "Hydrocarbon self-diffusion and assessing the validity of Graham's law under nanoporous confinement in shales." Energy & Fuels, vol. 35, no. 13, pp. 10512-10518, 2021.
• Perez, F. and D. Devegowda. "A molecular dynamics study of primary production from shale organic pores." Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal, SPE-201198-PA, 2020.
• Perez, F. and D. Devegowda. "A molecular dynamics study of soaking during enhanced oil recovery in shale organic pores." Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal, SPE-199879-PA, 2020.
• Perez, F. and D. Devegowda. "How far does EOR solvent penetrate kerogen in shales?" In Unconventional Resources Technology Conference Proceedings, URTeC: 2913, 2020.
• Perez, F. and D. Devegowda. "Molecular signatures of solvent injection in shale organic nanopores." In  SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference Proceedings, SPE-200307-MS, 2020.