Our main achievement is the appointment of the ERA Chair Holder following an open and merit-based recruitment process who has quickly become operational, having the Scientific Team and the methodology for implementing the actions in place. The project deliverables were submitted to the REA/EC and the Management Team is fully committed to the timely achievement of the objectives set, meeting GA provisions and legal obligations.
Under the scope of the WP1 (Project Management), we have reported a baseline for the Widening Key Performance Indicator evaluation. Defined Procedures and Standards were revised upon the ERA Chair recruitment, then discussed during the kick-off meeting and the Project Meeting with the Advisory Board. The Governance Structure and clear responsibilities of the Management Team have been kept. The Ethics Advisory Board has been chosen according to the research line to be developed by the ERA Chair and his Team, and has already held its first meeting. The project, designated as Immune regulation, metabolism and tissue integrity, involves animal experiments personnel licences of the staff were obtained prior to the commencement of such activities.
Recruitment of the Scientific Team (WP2) includes Senior Researcher Cristina Ferreira, Research Assistant Marta Batista, two postdoctoral researchers, and Project Manager Tiago Reis; all went through a recruitment process considering excellence as the most deciding factor.
Further significant achievement (under the scope of WP3 – Capacity Building) is the acquisition of the Amnis ImageStream®X Mark II imaging equipment, which fully addresses the scientific needs of the ERA Chair and will boost the research potential at iMM – in immunity & infection, and tumour and cell biology. This state-of-the-art equipment will accelerate knowledge creation in the national research community.
Mentoring and Training (WP3) activities include:
- Seminars Series hosting renowned experts.
- Sex and Gender Issues in Research discussed among experts and the iMM community during a conference.
- The outline of a mentoring plan for the iMM Funding Office.
The Management Team is currently defining the action plan to position iMM in the regional, national and European business community (WP3), and the best approach to align with the ERA priorities (WP4), relying on the commitment of internal stakeholders in these tasks.
Establishing a sustainable collaborative network, particularly in Brazil, USA and Africa (WP5 – International overseas cooperation) is aligned with iMM’s strategic goal to strengthen its international profile. We’ll launch a forum for discussion and a database of worldwide academic and industrial experts in immunity and infection to facilitate initial matchmaking and subsequent engagement.
The initial set of communication activities (WP6) included: project logo and webpage, three press releases, two brochures and the 1st newsletter featuring the ERA Chair and his research. The first Capacity Building Workshop held was an opportunity to introduce Dr. Veldhoen and increase awareness of the project at iMM. New scientific data produced by the ERA Chair will be relevant to iMM and the global scientific community. Dr. Veldhoen has provided ten scientific talks and initiated collaborations within iMM and abroad and the Capacity Building activities will provide a landscape for future exploitation of scientific results.
