Research and innovation

Since joining PPMI in 2017, Sonata has been involved in implementing more than 10 EU-wide research projects in the areas of public health, research and innovation. These range from analytical studies designed to inform policymaking, to evaluations of various programmes and executive agencies within the EU. She currently leads projects that aim to harness the potential of new technologies in public health and respond to the most pressing global health challenges, such as the lack of equal access to medicines, the spread of infectious diseases, and the rise of antimicrobial resistance.

As a Research Manager at PPMI, Sonata is responsible for liaising with clients and managing the work of international teams of experts. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing a mix of qualitative and quantitative research, and is particularly experienced in applying various stakeholder engagement and consultation methods in complex assignments.

Haroldas has more than 20 years’ experience in leading and coordinating complex assignments that deal with the development, management, monitoring and evaluation of public policy interventions – particularly those co-financed by the European Union. He has accumulated in-depth knowledge and proficiency in the development and practical application of research methodologies and tools, managing large-scale, pan-European empirical research, and making use of advanced approaches to data mining and analysis. Haroldas also has extensive experience in providing technical assistance to  both EU institutions and  authorities in Member States, especially in the design of management and control and monitoring systems, as well as the management, simplification and reporting of a variety of public interventions and programmes under both centralised and shared management. He has an in-depth understanding of the latest trends in performance management, applicable EU and national rules and regulations (state aid, public procurement, etc.); and actively trains public sector managers on all the aforementioned issues.

Rusnė joined PPMI in 2020. Currently acting as a Research Manager, she leads the implementation of studies and evaluations of EU policies relating to research and innovation. During her most recent years of work in applied public policy analysis and evaluation, as well as various technical assistance assignments, Rusnė has accumulated extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and EU-wide data collection exercises.

In her previous career, Rusnė was a Senior Research Manager at market intelligence company Euromonitor International, where she led international teams specialising in home and technology FMCG industries.

Mantas has more than nine years’ experience in policy analysis and advising public sector leaders at national, EU and international levels. He mainly focuses on science, technology, innovation and higher education policy. At PPMI, Mantas designs and leads international, multi-methods research and consulting assignments that help the European Commission and national governments to develop better policies and improve their implementation. Since the very beginning of his career, Mantas has also been heavily involved in designing and implementing performance monitoring systems, developing measurable and actionable indicators, and tracking  progress towards achievements.

Vilius has over 12 years’ experience in conducting studies and evaluations of public policy initiatives at both EU and national levels. At PPMI, Vilius is primarily interested in the EU‘s research and innovation policy. He has been involved in more than 30 projects in the area of R&I, including evaluations, impact assessments and, more recently, technology monitoring and business intelligence activities.

Vilius is also a cofounder and CEO of Technote (www.technote.ai), a company that makes technology and market research simple.