WEBINAR – Surviving a project execution without killing anyone

This webinar is designed to guide you through the complexities of the execution phase of a research project. This event will offer valuable insights into key areas such as monitoring tools, reporting, conflict management, deviations, etc.
The webinar will provide practical tips and strategies to ensure your project remains on track and achieves its goals. It will explore the challenges related to the project reporting and how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, as well as strategies for handling seemingly impossible situations.

Speakers:

Xavier Ponte

Xavier Ponte, holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2012), a PhD in Biotechnology (2017), and an Executive MBA from IESE Business School (2023). He has conducted research in Industrial Biotechnology in both Barcelona and Vienna before transitioning to Research Management. Since 2017, Xavier has been actively involved in coordinating research and innovation projects, with a particular focus on the H2020 and Horizon Europe Framework Programmes. Throughout his career, he has coordinated over 10 projects, and also supervised a portfolio of more than 20 coordinated EU projects and over 100 projects as a partner, in his position as project management team leader  at LEITAT Technological Center. Currently, Xavier serves as an EU Senior Advisor at NORCE Research Center in Bergen, Norway. In this role, he coordinates EU projects, supervises proposals, and enhances internal processes related to project management.

Imma Prats

Imma Prats,  holds a degree in Biotechnology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (2009) and a Master’s degree in Biomedicine and Biochemistry from the University of Barcelona (2014). She began her research career at Almirall and the IIBB-CSIC (Hospital Clínic), before transitioning into scientific management.
Since 2015, she has specialized in managing research projects, scientific output, and strategic initiatives at institutions such as IDIBGI, the University of Girona, and LEITAT Technology Center. She has coordinated and managed numerous national and European projects (H2020, Horizon Europe, EIT-Health, MSCA, Interreg SUDOE) and has demonstrated strong skills in international project coordination, financial and technical project execution, and fostering collaborations.
Currently, she serves as Senior International Project Manager at IDIBGI, overseeing national and European projects, identifying funding opportunities, and promoting the institution’s leadership in European programs.
Ms. Prats is an active member of CARMA and EARMA (post-award and mentorship groups) and contributes to the professional development of research and management staff through training initiatives focused on Horizon Europe.

Pauline Rasera

Pauline Rasera, is European Project Manager at RMIT Europe, the European Hub of RMIT University. Pauline has been working as Project Manager for over 10 years in Spain, France and Slovenia. She has been involved in the preparation and management of a broad range of projects, including the successive EU framework programs, COST, Interreg, Erasmus, ANR (France)… and currently coordinates a MSCA-COFUND Program aiming at creating a doctoral network between France and Australia. As per her background, Pauline holds a Master’s degree in European Studies from Aix-Marseille Université. Pauline is Chair of the Professional Development Working Group within the EARMA Post-Award Project Management Thematic group, and an active member of the MCAA Research Management Working Group.

Raquel Carreira

Raquel Carreira is a Grant Assurance Manager at EIT Health where she is responsible for managing and coordinating financial reporting and audits, giving financial and administrative support both internally and to EIT Health members and ensuring compliance with funding authority regulations. She has over 13 years of experience in project management having coordinated several EU-funded projects spanning from ENPI, IEE, FP7, EIT, Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe projects.

Irène Arrata

Irène Arrata is the Project Manager at Inserm’s Institute for Translational Medicine and Liver Disease (ITM), University of Strasbourg. After earning a PhD in Chemical Biology from the University of Leeds, she transitioned from academic research to innovation consulting, where she first encountered European projects. In 2020, she returned to academia as a project manager, starting with a Marie Curie ITN project, rediscovering her love for research – this time through research management rather than at the bench. Since 2022, she has been actively involved in the MCAA Research Management Working Group.