TRIBUTES have been paid to a scientist who died aged just 38 after being hit by a train near Aberystwyth on Thursday.

Dr Sandra Pierre died at the scene of the incident on the railway bridge over the Llandre to Borth road, near Dolybont where she lived.

Dr Pierre, who was a technician in analytical chemistry and metabolomics at Aberystwyth University’s IBERS department, began life at the university in 2008 as a PhD student.

Prof Mike Gooding, director of IBERS, said that staff were upset by the news.

“It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Dr Sandra Pierre,” he said.

“Sandra had been a colleague and friend to many in IBERS over several years, making significant contributions in research into understanding plant biochemistry to improve the health of plants.

“Sandra will be sorely missed and fondly remembered, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Originally from France, she was described as a “really lovely person” by one friend, who left flowers and candles at the scene in Dr Pierre’s memory.

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