PETALING JAYA: The family and friends of Malaysian-born scientist Dr Ling Felce (nee Suet Ling Wong) (pic) remember her as a devoted mother and selfless friend who had a bright future ahead of her.

       Ling, 36, succumbed to injuries in a road traffic collision while she was cycling, in Oxford on Tuesday (March 1).

       In a tribute published by the Thames Valley Police, her husband of eight years, James Felce said she was the light of the family.

       "We are devastated to lose her so young when she had so many dreams for herself and her children that she was beginning to realise.

       “I am lost without her warm presence, but she will live on through the love that she has given to us and to so many others.

       “Her whole family loved and loves her desperately, and we will always keep her in our hearts.

       "She was the most caring and devoted mother there could be.

       "We are all coming to terms with her death, and the fact that her children will grow up without their beloved mother," he said.

       Ling leaves behind two young children, aged three and five, her husband James, her parents and older sister.

       She had been working at the University of Oxford as a research scientist since finishing her PhD there in 2013, and most recently was researching the immune response against Covid-19 and cancer.

       A highly promising young scientist, Ling was taking a leading role in the establishment of a new institute based within the university.

       Her colleagues said Ling was selfless and caring, and are considering how best to remember her as part of the new institute.

       They described her as an extremely bright, friendly and optimistic person, who brought joy to many people and who had so many hopeful aspirations for the future.

       She leaves behind many friends, both in Oxford and beyond, who will miss her dearly and who are devastated at her loss.

       Ling was born in Malaysia in 1986 before moving to London in 1991 with her parents and older sister.

       She moved to Oxford from Putney, London in 2005 to study Biochemistry, then stayed here to do a PhD in the department of Clinical Pharmacology.

       During this time, she represented the university in both rugby union and rugby league.

       According to a report by the BBC, Ling died at the roundabout junction of St Clement's Street and The Plain in Oxford.

       The BBC report said a driver, Robert Whiting, 39, appeared at the Oxford Magistrates' Court on Thursday (March 3), charged with causing her death by careless driving whilst unfit through drugs.

       He has also been charged with causing death by driving unlicensed and without insurance.