A doctor has died from the same type of skin cancer she spent her life researching.
Dr Sharon Hutchinson spotted a mole on her neck and was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
The 39-year-old worked at the University of the Highlands and Islands at the Inverness Campus in Scotland and had researched the cancer there for years.
She was part of a worldwide collaboration research team.
Dr Hutchison’s colleague and friend Dr Antonia Pritchard said: "She was very stoic. She faced it with immense strength. She was remarkable.
"She was a great friend, meticulous researcher and I miss her immensely."
"She went to her doctor – she did all the right things, but her melanoma was a particularly aggressive form.
"She had major surgery and was back at work after one week. She had a tremendous work ethic when it came to her research.
Dr Hutchinson was diagnosed in January 2019 and the cancer spread last year.
Now her colleagues intend to continue her legacy.
"Sharon was very passionate about people getting themselves tested," Dr Pritchard said.
"Hopefully, that will be one of the outcomes from this."
Dr Hutchison, who lived in Wester Inshes, previously worked for about six years in the radiopharmacy department at Raigmore Hospital, where she was involved in producing treatments for thousands of cancer patients.
She had also been involved in the development of drug treatments for melanoma at Glasgow University.
Despite being ill Dr Hutchison worked up till the beginning of December and spend her last days at the Highland Hospice surrounded by her family.
She leaves parents David and Jane and a brother, Neil.
In her spare time, she enjoyed outdoor pursuits including mountain biking and running events, including half-marathons.
