The University of Pavia (UniPV, Latin: Alma Ticinensis Universitas) is a university located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy. There was evidence of teaching as early as 1361, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. It was the sole university in Milan and the greater Lombardy region until the end of the 19th century. Currently, it has 18 departments and 9 faculties. It does not have a main campus; its buildings and facilities are scattered around the city, which is in turn called "a city campus". The university caters to more than 20,000 students who come from Italy and all over the world.

Ferdinando Auricchio is Full Professor of Solid and Structural Mechanics at the University of Pavia, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Naples in 1989, followed by an MSc in 1991 and a PhD in 1995 from the University of California, Berkeley. Since 2001, he has been professor at the University of Pavia, where he has developed strong collaborations with the Department of Mathematics, IMATI-CNR Pavia, and several medical institutions. His research focuses on computational mechanics, finite element methods for solids and fluids, constitutive modeling, innovative materials, biomechanics, cardiovascular simulation tools, and additive manufacturing. He leads the Computational Mechanics and Advanced Materials group and has organized a 3D printing laboratory exploring new materials, printing technologies, and applications ranging from 3D printed concrete elements to biomanufacturing. He is an IACM Fellow, received the ECCOMAS Euler Medal, has served in ECCOMAS leadership roles, and is a member of the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL.