Tributes paid to ‘inspiring’ University of Cambridge scientist who died in Spanish train crash

Dr. Marta Shahbazi, a distinguished University of Cambridge scientist specializing in developmental biology, perished in a tragic train collision in Spain on Wednesday. The accident claimed the lives of at least 69 individuals and occurred near Urda in Toledo province. Dr. Shahbazi, an affiliate associate professor at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and a group leader at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), was en route to a conference to receive the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology’s prestigious scientific excellence prize. She was set to be honored during the conference in El Rompido, Andalucía.

The LMB expressed deep sorrow over her loss, describing her as an "inspiring, talented and passionate scientist." Her research focused on the earliest stages of human embryonic development and the errors that could lead to unsuccessful pregnancies. Dr. Shahbazi was also a devoted mother and a role model, noted for her eloquent writing about maintaining a balance between family and career, which she referred to as being a "mother scientist."

Colleagues, including Roser Vento-Tormo from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, remembered Dr. Shahbazi as a "beautiful person" and a cherished collaborator and friend. Dr. Vento-Tormo highlighted their joint efforts in supervising students and the immense joy of working alongside her. Dr. Shahbazi's work was set to be published in the coming months, showcasing the passion she invested in her scientific pursuits.

The CiMUS in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, honored Dr. Shahbazi as a "brilliant young researcher." This tragic incident marks the second high-speed rail crash in Spain this year, both occurring on the Madrid-Seville line. Three days of national mourning were observed, during which Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the event as a "tragedy" and pledged an investigation into the matter.