Italy

Erika Ponzini is Assistant Professor of Applied Physics in the Department of Materials Science of the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy). She lectures in the bachelor’s program in Optometry and the master’s program in Optometry and Vision Science. She obtained her degree in Industrial Biotechnology and subsequently pursued doctoral studies in Natural Sciences at Johannes Kepler University (Austria). Her research interest lies primarily in the field of ocular biophysics, with a focus on the discovery of tear fluid biomarkers for diagnostic applications and the physicochemical characterization of contact lenses. She is actively engaged in the European research community as Management Committee Member for Italy in the COST Action “Implementation of Tear Fluid Biomarkers in Precision Medicine” promoted by the Tear Research Network, which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to translate tear-based biomarker research into clinical practice. Her academic activity integrates experimental biophysics, biotechnology, and vision science.