SHE was the “talented” and “bubbly” woman at the cutting edge of medical treatment in Southampton.

Tributes have been paid to leading medical scientist Emma Hudson, who has died at the age of 42.

Her funeral will take place today, when a cortege featuring a horse-drawn hearse will proceed from her home in Winchester Road, Southampton, to the city’s crematorium.

A former Mountbatten School and Barton Peveril College student, she started working for the University Hospital Trust NHS Southampton in 1990.

Achievements She worked in the clinical biochemistry department at the trust for 22 years, progressing from a trainee to an advanced scientist, with the trust supporting her in completing undergraduate and masters degrees in clinical chemistry.

Her work saw her analyse blood and bodily fluids in order to diagnose and manage illnesses and diseases.

She also helped to mentor dozens of future biomedical scientists in her role as the department’s training officer, and was rewarded for her scientific achievements when she was made a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science.

Her interests outside of work included rugby and scuba diving.

In 2010 she was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and her condition started to worsen as the disease spread to other parts of her body.

She died at Southampton General Hospital on December 13.

Her mum, Gail Berry, 66, said: “Emma was very talented and very clever. She was always very conscious of the importance of the work she was doing, and its impact on people.”

Step-father Ray, 62, added: “She was bubbly and up for a good laugh.”

Friends and colleagues have also paid tributes.

Close friend Claire Dimmick, 40, said: “Emma was generous and would do everything for everybody. She was a loving person, and was like a big sister to me.”

John Skilton, a fellow member of the British Sub-Aqua Club, said: “Emma’s enthusiasm encouraged us to advance our diving grades and the new members have progressed to dive wrecks and reefs.

“In spite of her illness, Emma continued to dive her favourite location, under the pier in Swanage.

“Emma, who bravely put so much into the club, is greatly missed by us all.”

Clinical biochemistry section manager Richard Allan said: “Emma was dedicated to the NHS, the trust, the department and her profession.

“She was a role model to all who knew her. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends.”