A “brilliant” Israeli marine ecologist who sought to protect coastlines using eco-friendly concrete has died in a road accident in Tel Aviv. 
 
The firm she co-founded in 2012, ECOncrete, confirmed news of Dr Shimrit Perkol-Finkel’s death on Monday. She leaves behind her husband, Kobi, and three children.
 
The company said she had "inspired and lifted all of us with her love of the ocean, and her vision for rescuing it". It added: “Her mission continues. But today, we mourn."
 
Ms Perkol-Finkel won Sir Richard Branson’s Pitch to Rich Tel Aviv award in 2019 for her firm, with the business magnate saying at the time her concept had “really caught” his eye. 
 
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss praised her “tenacious spirit and unwavering ambitions” in a LinkedIn post. 
 
“May her legacy inspire the next generation of female engineers and bring posi​tive change to male-dominated industries,” he wrote.​
 
Ms Perkol-Finkel had been scheduled to speak at a virtual Tel Aviv University Trust event to mark International Women’s Day. 
 
Organisers postponed the event, which had been set to include Israeli UK ambassador Tsipi Hotovely and Shtisel executive producer Dikla Barkai. 
 
The university trust's chief executive Cara Case said the institution was “deeply saddened” by the news. “Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.”