Dr. Erica Forzani: Engineering Human-Centered Health Innovation

At the intersection of chemistry, engineering, and human well-being stands Dr. Erica Forzani a leader whose life’s work is transforming science into compassionate, actionable care. As a researcher, educator, and entrepreneur, Dr. Forzani has dedicated her career to creating health technologies that directly respond to the needs of patients and providers.

Her story speaks not only of technical brilliance but of the deeply firsthand experiences that shaped her path moments that still inform how she approaches innovation today.

For Dr. Forzani, science was never abstract. A chemistry kit gifted by her father, hours spent tinkering in workshops, and visits to her cousin’s clinical lab planted early seeds of curiosity. Later, during night shifts in a pediatric hospital in Córdoba, Argentina, she felt the urgency of parents waiting for lab results and realized she could help create tools that deliver answers faster and more effectively. That moment of clarity inspired her pivot to engineering and her pursuit of diagnostic innovation.

Now, with over 20 years of experience, more than 50 scientific publications, and multiple patented technologies, Dr. Forzani is a national example of how academia, entrepreneurship, and empathy can work in unison. Her sensor technologies, including Breezing—a product that helps health professionals personalize care through metabolic data are already making a difference in clinics today. As she enters a new role with the Phoenix Children’s Research Institute at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine, she’s returning to her roots in pediatric care with the drive to build even more impactful solutions.

Q: Your work bridges chemistry, engineering, and health sciences. What inspired your path into such an interdisciplinary space?

Erica Forzani: My first inspiration was my father. When I was 11, he gave me my first chemistry kit and microscope. We spent countless hours doing experiments together. He also invited me to work with him in his workshop and to help fix his car on weekends. I loved how he involved me in what were traditionally seen as “man’s chores.” That bond and those shared experiences sparked my love for science and engineering.

Later, my cousin Laura, who worked night shifts in a clinical chemistry lab, inspired me to pursue medical laboratory science. I remember how much I loved visiting “her” lab at the hospital. I was fascinated by the clinical environment and the role diagnostics played in patient care.

During my residency at a children’s hospital in Córdoba, Argentina, I especially loved the night shifts. They allowed me to collaborate directly with emergency doctors and contribute to urgent diagnostic cases. What truly moved me was seeing the anxious parents waiting for lab results. That experience made me realize I wanted to do more—and do it faster. That’s what led me to pursue a Ph.D. and shift my focus to engineering new diagnostic tools.

To read more about Dr. Erica Forzani visit:
https://exeleonmagazine.com/dr-erica-forzani-engineering-human-centered-health-innovation