Erica Pensini
PhD, P.Eng.
Associate Professor
College of Engineering, Civil, Environmental, and Water Resources Engineering
Research Areas
- Environmental Engineering
Biography
Erica Pensini is an Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Guelph. Her research focuses on the physical chemistry of soft matter and complex fluids, drawing on colloid and interface science to understand how molecular interactions and organization give rise to macroscopic behavior.
She received her PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Toronto and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research in Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta. Before joining the University of Guelph in 2017, she worked in industrial research and development, investigating emulsions, interfacial phenomena, and responsive polymeric fluids.
Her research spans molecular association and self-assembly, phase behavior and separation phenomena, transport through heterogeneous media, and functional soft materials exhibiting mechanoelectric responses. Her group combines experimental characterization with thermodynamics and molecular modelling to investigate the mechanisms connecting molecular and interfacial organization with material properties and transport behavior.
She teaches undergraduate environmental engineering courses and a graduate course on colloids, interfaces, and emulsions.
More information about her research and opportunities for prospective students is available at https://pensinilab.com.
Research Interests
My research focuses on the physical chemistry of soft matter and complex fluids, particularly how molecular and interfacial interactions govern structure, organization, and macroscopic behavior. Drawing on colloid and interface science, I investigate molecular association, self-assembly, colloidal stability, phase behavior, separation phenomena, and molecular and ionic transport. I also investigate the mechanisms underlying coupled mechanical and electrical responses in soft materials.
My research combines experimental characterization with thermodynamics and molecular modelling. Applications include separation and transport phenomena in heterogeneous systems, contaminant migration through porous and fractured media, and the development of functional mechanoelectric materials.
Research Areas
- Soft Matter and Complex Fluids
- Colloid and Interface Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Phase Behavior and Separation Phenomena
- Transport Phenomena
- Functional Soft Materials
Opportunities in the Research Group
I welcome inquiries from prospective MASc and PhD students with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, materials science, and related disciplines who are interested in the physical chemistry of soft matter and complex fluids.
Current research directions include phase behavior and separation phenomena, transport through heterogeneous media, and functional soft materials, including mechanoelectric systems. Projects may involve experimental characterization, theoretical analysis, and computational modelling.
I also welcome exceptional undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience before pursuing graduate studies.
Prospective students can contact me at epensini@uoguelph.ca with a CV and a brief description of their research interests.
Research Group Website
Pensini Lab — Physical Chemistry of Soft Matter and Complex Fluids
The website provides more detailed information about our research, laboratory activities, and opportunities for prospective students.
Publications
For an up-to-date publication record, please link to my Google Scholar profile: