Cambridge scientist Marta Shahbazi dies in Spanish train crash
Dr. Marta Shahbazi, a prominent Cambridge scientist, was killed in a train crash in Spain while traveling to receive an award. Her death has been described as a profound loss for the scientific community, particularly in the field of human embryo development.
Why it matters
The loss of a leading researcher in developmental biology impacts ongoing scientific progress and highlights the tragedy of the rail accident.
Image source, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology Image caption, Dr Marta Shahbazi, pictured in 2024, was travelling to collect a prize at an awards ceremony in her native Spain when she died
An award-winning University of Cambridge researcher died in the Spanish train disaster while on her way to collect a prize for scientific excellence.
Dr Marta Shahbazi was travelling to an awards ceremony on Wednesday when the train she was on crashed into another near Urda, south of Madrid, killing 69 people.
The mother of two was an affiliate associate professor leading a group of researchers at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge and had earned several awards for work on human embryos and cell biology.
In a statement, the LMB paid tribute to the "inspiring, talented and passionate scientist" and described her death as a "profound shock and a huge loss".
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Cambridge scientist dies in Spanish train crash
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