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Scientist's Final Journey Ends in Tragic Train Crash
1 Nov
Summary
- A Cambridge scientist died in a train crash in Spain.
- She was traveling to receive a scientific excellence prize.
- Colleagues remember her as an inspiring and talented researcher.

A tragic train crash in central Spain on October 28th claimed the life of Dr. Marta Shahbazi, a distinguished researcher from the University of Cambridge's MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Dr. Shahbazi, a British-Spanish scientist and mother of two, was traveling to receive a scientific excellence prize from the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology.
Her research focused on the early stages of human embryo development. She was recognized as an eloquent advocate for balancing career and family, serving as a role model for 'mother scientists,' a term she embraced.
The University of Cambridge and the LMB community expressed profound shock and deep sadness at her passing. Dr. Shahbazi was a group leader in Cell Biology and an affiliate associate professor, deeply respected for her talent and passion.