Tributes paid to ‘inspiring’ Cambridge scientist who died in Spain train crash
Dr Marta Shahbazi was travelling to a conference to receive award for scientific excellence in developmental biology

TL;DR
- Dr Marta Shahbazi, a scientist at the University of Cambridge, died in a train crash in Spain.
- She was an affiliate associate professor at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and a group leader at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB).
- Dr Shahbazi had recently won the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology’s scientific excellence prize and was traveling to receive it.
- Her research focused on the earliest steps in human embryo development and failed pregnancies.
- Colleagues described her as an inspiring, talented, passionate scientist, a role model, and a 'mother scientist'.
- This was Spain's second high-speed rail crash this year, both occurring on the line between Madrid and Seville.
- Three days of national mourning were observed, and an investigation has been promised.