Irene is a dynamic professional with expertise in administrative support, event management, and operations. With a background in international relations and economics, she is driven by a passion for creating meaningful solutions. Currently, she is expanding her knowledge with a master’s in Sustainable Development.
Eleonora Serena Romano is Administrative Officer at the LifeWatch ERIC Service Centre since July 2021. She holds a degree in International Relations and Economics from the University of Bologna and has over fifteen years of professional experience in administrative and financial management within the research and innovation ecosystem.
She has worked across both the private and public sectors, including a long-standing collaboration with the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation (CMCC), where she initially supported the administrative activities of a research division before becoming Head of the Procurement Office.
Since joining LifeWatch ERIC, she has been responsible for the overall administrative management of the Service Centre, overseeing human resources, legal and financial operations, and the administrative coordination of European project management. She plays a key role in the implementation and continuous improvement of internal procedures, ensuring compliance with national and European regulations and contributing to the effective and sustainable growth of the Service Center.
Master’s degree in Business Administration from IESE and Master’s degree in Marketing Management from EIQF, and a degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Seville. Currently, he is Procurement and Institutional Relationships Officer at LifeWatch ERIC. Previously to this role, he was involved in tasks related to Institutional and investors relations, management of tenders, contracts and suppliers and management of business units. Since 2016 to 2020, he was Managing Director of Puerto Triana, S.A.U. (a subsidiary company of CaixaBank), responsible for the development and implementation of the Torre Sevilla project, designed by architect Cesar Pelli and the most iconic new complex building in Seville. From 2014 to 2016, he was Portfolio and Investment Director at CBRE Spain and Portugal, with direct management of investment funds such as BlackStone, WP Carey, Green Oak, and Axiare. From 2012 to 2014, Director of Investments and Acquisitions EMEA at Global Retailing 2LIFE (an Australian investment group), responsible of projects in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Austria. From 2010 to 2012, his position was Portfolio Director of Shopping Centers at Jones Lang Lasalle (Pradera Investment Co.). From 2005 to 2010, Shopping Center Manager and Spain Leasing Manager at Unibail Rodamco Westfield Europe.
Javier Saenz is the Accounting & Finance Officer of LifeWatch ERIC. Graduated in Law (2011) and Business Administration (2011) he continued his education with a Master in Science in Finance and Managerial accounting (2012).
He has over 12 years of experience in different areas related to finance, law, tax and financial audit related topic and business administration. He has been in charge of several finance/administration departments in different international companies and/or its Spanish subsidiaries.
He has been in charge of the finance and accounting department in LifeWatch since the end of 2021 where he has played a key leader role in developing the the current financial control system of the Organisation.
MsC thesis (2012): “El impacto económico financiero de la crisis en las Entidades de Economía Social: El caso de las Sociedades Cooperativas Agrarias de la provincia de Sevilla”
Before coming to LifeWatch ERIC, Giovanna had fifteen years of expertise in selecting and recruiting senior executives, mostly in the healthcare industry internationally. Experience living in Spain, Belgium, and Italy. Completely proficient in Italian, French, Spanish, and English. Cross-cultural experience.
Lucas de Moncuit (1980) from Switzerland is a sustainable business economist currently working as the Chief Financial Officer of LifeWatch ERIC.
He started his career in 1998 as an apprentice for CREDIT SUISSE. Passionate about business processes and finance he then went on to study business administration at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO) where he also developed a dedicated project management solution for the University’s first FP6 project as coordinator.
Preoccupied by global environmental degradations and sustainability challenges he decided to pursue a Master’s program in Sustainable Development and Climate Change Policy at the University of Queensland, Australia to learn about the complex systemic interactions and externalities from anthropogenic processes.
After working for various NGOs on sustainability and climate change issues, Lucas started a consultancy to support companies wishing to introduce sustainability principles into their processes. As a side project he also developed an online platform to promote sustainability solutions.
His multidisciplinary background makes him an ideal candidate to support sustainability driven, dynamic and innovative organisations navigating complex legal, operational and financial frameworks.
The Greek National Distributed Centre is funded by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Technology and is coordinated by the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, in conjunction with 47 associated partner institutions.
To know more about how Greece contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Italian National Distributed Centre is led and managed by the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and is coordinated by a Joint Research Unit, currently comprising 35 members. Moreover, Italy hosts one of the LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities, the Service Centre.
To know more about how Italy contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Dutch National Distributed Centre is hosted by the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam. Moreover, The Netherlands hosts one of the LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities, the Virtual Laboratory and Innovation Centre.
To know more about how The Netherlands contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Portuguese National Distributed Centre is managed by PORBIOTA, the Portuguese e-Infrastructure for Information and Research on Biodiversity. Led by BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, PORBIOTA connects the principal Portuguese research institutions working in biodiversity.
To know more about how Portugal contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Slovenian National Distributed Centre is led by the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU). It focuses on the development of technological solutions in the field of biodiversity and socio-ecosystem research.
To know more about how Slovenia contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Spanish National Distributed Centre is supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Guadalquivir River Basin Authority (Ministry for Ecological Transition-MITECO). Moreover, Spain is the hosting Member State of LifeWatch ERIC, the location of its Statutory Seat & ICT e-Infrastructure Technical Office (LifeWatch ERIC Common Facilities).
To know more about how Spain contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Bulgarian National Distributed Centre is represented by the Agricultural University-Plovdiv.
To know more about how Bulgaria contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.
The Belgian National Distributed Centre makes varied and complementary in-kind contributions to LifeWatch ERIC. These are implemented in the form of long-lasting projects by various research centres and universities distributed throughout the country and supported by each respective political authority.
To know more about how Belgium contributes to LifeWatch ERIC, please visit our dedicated webpage.