CASSS is proud to honor Diana Raquel de Lima Cunha as the Frantisek Svec Fellowship for Advanced Training 2025 Recipient.
The Frantisek Svec Fellowship for Advanced Training fosters future leaders in biopharmaceutical development by providing resources to graduate students and post-doctoral researchers for advanced training in the broad fields of biopharmaceutical sciences and technology. The fellowship honors and embraces the legacy of Frantisek Svec.
Cunha is currently a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences with a specialization in analytical chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, under the supervision of Dr. Marcela Segundo, University of Porto.
In recommending Cunha for the fellowship, Dr. Marcela Segundo said, "Throughout her PhD, Diana has demonstrated deep expertise in developing advanced analytical platforms, including miniaturized systems, electrochemical and impedimetric biosensors, and flow-based strategies, for the evaluation of biopharmaceuticals."
"The advanced training will complement her current strengths with cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques essential for biopharmaceutical characterization. The specialized training in mass spectrometry and regulatory-focused applications will directly expand her ongoing work on therapeutic monoclonal antibodies."
Diana Raquel de Lima Cunha of Porto, Portugal, applied for the Frantisek Svec Fellowship to attend the CASSS 2025 Symposium on Practical Applications of Mass Spectrometry in the Biotechnology Industry and the Short Course: Fundamentals and Applications of Mass Spectrometry on September 23-26, 2025 in Costa Mesa, CA, USA.
When asked how attending this learning opportunity would benefit her career, Cunha responded, "The Mass Spec scientific program provides extensive technical sessions covering the latest innovations in mass spectrometry, including characterization of complex biologics, analysis of post-translational modifications, and emerging applications in gene and cell therapies. These topics are directly aligned with my current research and professional goals, and the fellowship would allow me to engage with cutting-edge methodologies that I could bring back to my laboratory and broader scientific community. This hands-on exposure would significantly enhance my technical expertise and expand my capacity to tackle analytical challenges in biotherapeutic evaluation."
"Receiving the Frantisek Svec Fellowship would significantly expand the technical and strategic scope of my current and future professional activities as a researcher."
"I aim to apply what I learn to continue my PhD project involving biopharmaceutical-specific applications, such as glycosylation profiling, thus accelerating method development and improving data quality. Additionally, the connections and perspectives gained through the CASSS course will allow me to contribute to external collaborations. Ultimately, this fellowship would catalyze professional growth, allowing me to evolve from a technically skilled practitioner to a more strategic, innovative contributor in the field of analytical chemistry."
The Frantisek Svec Fellowship for Advanced Training is awarded to support innovative learning opportunities. Applications are judged on the impact of the proposed support by the fellowship funds to expand the scope of the applicants’ current activities. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 to be used to pay enrollment fees, travel, living expenses, and materials that support the objective of the fellowship application.
Cunha joins the following list of Frantisek Svec Fellowship recipients:
- 2019 Kateřina Fikarová
- 2017 Daniela Espinosa-Hoyos
- 2017 Bert Wouters
Applications for the 2026 Frantisek Svec Fellowship will be open in Summer 2026. Funds will be awarded in Fall 2026. For more information on applying for the Svec Fellowship, please visit Frantisek Svec Fellowship for Advanced Training.