Mariafrancesca Cascione earned her PhD in Physics in 2016. Dr. Cascione has conducted significant research at the University of Bari and is currently a researcher at the University of Salento’s Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi". Her research focuses on the characterization of changes in cellular morpho-mechanical properties in vitro, using advanced force spectroscopy and fluorescence techniques. Additionally, she explores the tribological and mechanical properties of composite materials in nanomedicine and agrifood sectors. Dr. Cascione collaborates with leading scientific institutions, including BOKU University of Vienna, the IBEC institute in Barcelona, the University of Gdańsk, and the University of Chandigarh. She has authored over 50 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and serves on the editorial board of two prominent scientific journals. She is currently a visiting researcher at our chair on leave from the University of Salento.