Mariana Santa-Marta is the Head of the Pre-Award efforts at CERENA and CEGIST Research Units at Instituto Superior Técnico. Mariana Santa-Marta holds a BSc in Biology (2001) and a PhD degree (2006) in Microbiology from Universidade de Lisboa. Mariana moved to California as a Postdoc and developed an interest in different science-related careers. Back to Portugal Mariana secured a Ciência Position (2009) at the Faculty of Pharmacy (FFUL) where she actively engaged in grant writing, project management, and researcher training. Driven by a passion to support researchers and acquire new skills, Mariana transitioned into a new phase of her career. Mariana volunteered at the Institute Gulbenkian Ciência's Pre-Award office, enrolled in a post-graduate course in Project Management at The School of Economics and Management (ISEG, UL), and performed several short stays at different Lisbon Institutes (ITQB, UNOVA, ISAMB). In 2016, Mariana transitioned to Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, where she supported the preparation, submission, and negotiation of a large portfolio of successful projects coordinated by Champalimaud Foundation Lisboa, including EU's Horizon 2020.Since November 2021 Mariana is the Head of the Pre-Award efforts at CERENA and CEGIST Research Units at Instituto Superior Técnico. Mariana passion lies in the personalized support of researchers and Research Managers in obtaining funding to support excellence in research and as a tool for researchers' career development. Currently, Mariana serve as an RMRoamap Associate Ambassador, further contributing to the research management community.