Meet the ReO members! Episode 5 - Marc Luna

How would you describe yourself in a few words?

My name is Marc, and I am Programme Manager in the National Funding Team at the EPFL Research Office. I was born and raised in Switzerland, but having a Peruvian father, I grew up in an international environment in terms of language and culture.

What has been your career path?

After my Bachelor in International Hospitality Management at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, I did a Master in International Business Development at the University of Neuchâtel. I then started my career in the international cooperation sector with an internship in social marketing at the Swiss NGO "Terre des hommes". Within Terre des hommes, I then held a position in the programme department as manager for Latin America and the Caribbean region. I was responsible for the overall management of the projects, fundraising, as well as the financial and HR management of our teams on site. After 8 years in the humanitarian and development sector, I decided to change my professional path and had the opportunity to join the academic world at EPFL in 2020.

What does a “Programme Manager” do at the EPFL Research Office?

I like to describe my role as representing both sides of the coin: on the one hand we help researchers find funding opportunities through our promotion tools and events, submit their projects through our toolkits and budget calculator as well as our personalized advice and ensure the smooth running of their project, but on the other hand, we are also there to make sure that the internal rules are respected and that their projects are compliant with the conditions of the funder. We can either be appreciated for our help or sometimes criticized for our pickiness!

What is driving you in your job?

I like the multicultural environment that EPFL offers and the variety of its research fields. In a single day, I can be confronted with projects in architecture, neuroscience and astrophysics! So I don't have time to be bored and I learn new things every day. I was particularly impressed by the attention given by the Swiss public and medias to science and to EPFL especially during the Covid crisis.

What are the main challenges you are facing on a daily basis?

Having started at EPFL at the beginning of the lockdown, I had few opportunities to interact directly with colleagues and researchers. This lack of direct contact with people can be a challenge, especially when you are in front of the computer all day to answer the many emails and requests that come into the Research Office. So sometimes I like to pick up the phone and call people directly to talk about projects. It makes the work more enjoyable, and we often solve several things at the same time!

Outside EPFL, what do you enjoy doing the most?

I have two main hobbies: gastronomy and outdoor activities. I love a good restaurant or a dinner with friends with a good bottle of wine! I am passionate about international cuisine, especially Japanese and Peruvian. I also like to spend my weekends hiking in the mountains, or running along the lake during my lunch break during the week!

What are your life and/or career aspirations?

Travelling and discovering new cultures are my passions! I am therefore planning a trip to New Zealand in order to hike the entire length of the country: 3’000 km from the northern tip of the North Island to the bottom tip of the South Island.