An ecologist who travelled the world to help save endangered species has died at the age of 29, just five months after being diagnosed with cancer.

The family and friends of Emily Goodman, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, paid tribute to her as an “inspiration”.

Dr Goodman’s parents, Celia and Doug Goodman, of Clifden Road, Twickenham, said she had shown great courage through her short illness.

Mrs Goodman said: “Her main characteristics were her independence and her determination - verging on stubbornness.

“She was, in her illness, incredibly brave and never complained.

“She was like that with most things. She just got on with it.”

Last week more than 170 friends and relatives gathered at St Mary’s Parish Church, Twickenham, to celebrate her life.

During the service those gathered heard how she achieved so much in her short time, was an inspiration to her friends and was always happy to help others.

Dr Goodman was a former pupil at St Mary’s Infants’ School, Twickenham, and later Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH), Hampton. She went on to study at Bristol University and the University of York, where she gained a PhD.

Gillian Low, headteacher at LEH, said: "Emily fully embraced life at LEHS and is remembered by those who taught her, not only for being hard working and conscientious but also for her enthusiasm and overall contribution to the school, finding time to play several musical instruments and to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award for example.

"Her passions included animals and the outdoors, so it was no surprise that in the Sixth Form, she pursued a career path in the sciences, successfully studying biology, chemistry, geography and mathematics before taking up a place at Bristol University.

"We were deeply saddened by this news and our sincere condolences go to her family."

As an ecologist she was involved with endangered species. She studied butterflies in Costa Rica, protected turtles in Greece and gained her doctorate in the study of badger behaviour.

Dr Piran White, of the environment department at York, said: “Emily loved animals all her life, and her PhD was concerned with badger social behaviour.

“She conducted her fieldwork at Fera's Woodchester Park field site in Gloucestershire.

“The research required long hours in the field at all times of the day and night, but Emily applied herself to the task with characteristic determination.

“Her work employed some novel technology for monitoring interactions between badgers, which allowed her to determine rates of contact between individuals and improve our understanding of transmission of bovine tuberculosis among badgers.

“Emily was co-author of a paper presented at European Wildlife Diserase Association conference in Holland in September, just before her death.

“Her work is now being combined with similar data from a contrasting field site for a research paper on the effect of badger density on disease transmission.”

Sports and outdoor activities were also a passion. She rowed for LEH, trekked to Everest base camp, was a competent horse rider and scuba diver and loved rock and ice climbing, kayaking and cycling. Last year she ran the London Marathon, raising more than £800 for Save the Rhino International.

Dr Goodman played the flute and saxophone and performed in the Richmond Youth Orchestra and with groups in York and Chester.

Among those who recounted her life during the service, on October 5, were Reverend Jeff Hopkin Williams, Tejpal Dhami, her school friend from LEH, Megan Fradgley, her university and trekking friend and Margaret Davis her neighbour in Twickenham.

Julie and Hannah Wright from Twickenham played the flute, while Paul Goodman, her cousin, played the organ.

Dr Goodman requested that instead of sending flowers, she should be remembered by giving donations to Save the Rhino and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester, where she spent the last days before her death on September 25.

Alastair Smith, her partner for 11 years, will run the London Marathon next year in memory of Dr Goodman.

Cathy Dean, director of Save the Rhino, said: "It will be a long and difficult day, but we think it will be a great way to celebrate Emily’s life and achievements."