Can you say a few words about yourself?

My name is Marc Luna, I am a Project Manager 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. I studied business administration at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and obtained a master’s degree in business development from the University of Neuchâtel.

What is your role in ReCLEAN?

I am the Project Manager for the ReCLEAN Joint Initiative co-funded by the ETH Board. My role is to support the management of the consortium, including the coordination of the reporting (scientific and financial), seminars organization and outreach activities.

Why were you interested in ReCLEAN?

I am excited to be contributing to a project that addresses the challenges of climate change in Switzerland, and whose results will be used to improve policies on energy, air and water quality, agriculture and forestry. It is important for me to do work that has meaning and that serves society. Before joining EPFL, I worked for 8 years for an international children’s aid NGO.

Can you speak about other projects you are currently working on and other ones in the past?

Outside of ReCLEAN, I am managing the CYD Fellowships, a Talent Program for Cyber-Defence Research jointly launched by EPFL and the CYD Campus of armasuisse. It offers Master Thesis, Doctoral, and Distinguished Postdoctoral fellowships to promote new solutions to major challenges in the fields of security and data science by bringing together basic and applied research in cyber-defence.

What do you enjoy to do, outside of science and research?

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.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

New Zealand! I walked the length of the country in 2023, covering 3,000km in 5 months. It was an incredible adventure in the beautiful wilderness of New Zealand.

A free thought for the end?

Walking alone goes faster, walking with others goes further.