Cristina Ponti

Cristina Ponti serves as a Researcher in Human Anatomy at the University of Trieste's Department of Medical Sciences within the School of Life Sciences. She is an active member of both the Department's Board and Teaching staff, contributing to academic governance and instruction. Ponti is a key member of Prof. Tubaro's Pharmacology and toxicology of natural substances research group, which focuses on marine toxins and their effects on biological systems.

Her research interests center on pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms, particularly examining how marine toxins like palytoxin affect human keratinocytes at the cellular level. She also investigates the toxicity of graphene-based nanomaterials, contributing to understanding their impact on skin biology and potential health implications. Her work bridges traditional pharmacology with emerging nanotoxicology research.

Analysis of her limited publication record shows a strong focus on cellular toxicology mechanisms, particularly oxidative stress pathways induced by marine biotoxins. Her research demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining pharmacology, cell biology, and toxicology to understand toxin mechanisms of action.

Ponti actively collaborates within a well-established research team investigating algal toxins, herbal drugs pharmacology, and nanomaterials toxicity. Her work contributes to risk characterization of biotoxins and development of detection methods, with implications for food safety and environmental health.

She participates in research examining graphene family nanomaterials' effects on biological systems, particularly studying their irritant and sensitizing potential following cutaneous exposure using both in vitro and in vivo models. This work contributes to the growing field of nanotoxicology and safety assessment of emerging materials.