Cambridge scientist killed in Spanish train crash while travelling to collect prestigious award
Dr Marta Shahbazi, described as an “inspiring, talented and passionate scientist”, was on her way to receive recognition for her research when the fatal collision occurred in central Spain
A University of Cambridge scientist who died in a train crash in Spain was travelling to collect an award recognising her outstanding contribution to scientific research.
Dr Marta Shahbazi, who worked at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge, was among those on board a train involved in a collision with another service near the town of Urda in central Spain on Wednesday.
The researcher had been due to receive the scientific excellence prize from the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology at a conference that was scheduled to begin on the same day as the accident.
Following her death, the LMB has paid tribute to Dr Shahbazi, describing her as an “inspiring” scientist. She was a group leader within the laboratory’s Cell Biology Division and also held the position of affiliate associate professor at the University of Cambridge.
She was additionally listed on the university’s website as a principal investigator at its Stem Cell Institute.
In a statement, the LMB said: “The LMB is deeply saddened by the tragic death of our colleague Marta Shahbazi, group leader in the Cell Biology Division.
“Marta was on a train that collided with another near Urda, Spain, on Wednesday October 28, as she was travelling to receive the scientific excellence prize from the Spanish Society of Developmental Biology.
“Marta was an inspiring, talented and passionate scientist. Her death is a profound shock and a huge loss.
“Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.
“The LMB is offering support to members of its community as they navigate this tragic loss.”
The disaster is believed to have claimed at least 69 lives, making it Spain’s second fatal high-speed rail accident this year.
Both crashes took place along the same railway route connecting Madrid, the country's capital, with Seville in the southern Andalucia region.
Three days of national mourning began on Thursday as the country responded to the tragedy. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the crash as a “tragedy” and pledged that a full investigation would be carried out.
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