The Bertha Condron FeMS⁺ Inspiration Award is given to female mass spectrometrists showing great potential for a productive, exciting career. This award is given to “unsung hero” of mass spectrometry, someone who is working in a support role in the field (i.e., at the technician or lab assistant level).

Bertha Condron (1911-1988) was born in an era when few opportunities for education and career were afforded to women. Despite hardship, she dedicated decades of her life to charity work and was an inspirational role model to her children and grandchildren.

This award is given in Bertha’s name to honor her and the many females in history whose stories inspire the success of future generations.

Award amount: $500 USD

Key requirements & eligibility
This award is open to women working in a support role within the field of mass spectrometry (i.e., at the technician or lab assistant level). Applicants can be self-nominated or nominated
on behalf of another person. Only a single nomination per applicant can be received.

Selection criteria
The nomination should meet one or more of the following selection criteria:
● A high and continued level of service to the discipline of mass spectrometry
● Development of a new tool or novel application that provides tangible value to their workplace/discipline
● Demonstrated leadership excellence within their institution/workplace

Past Recipients

Marta Sans is a CPRIT TRIUMPH Postdoctoral Fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center, recently having completing her graduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin. During her time at UT Austin, Marta rose to be an outstanding leader in the Eberlin lab. She mastered the skills necessary to tackle challenging experimental obstacles and perform research with excellence. She has also taught, trained and mentored many other students.

Marta’s translational research is motivated towards the development of novel mass spectrometry technologies to improve and expedite detection and diagnosis of human cancer. In particular, Marta has been developing and applying ambient ionization mass spectrometry imaging techniques to investigate metabolic signatures of ovarian cancers, with the ultimate goal of translating these technologies to the clinic for routine use.