2025 Abstracts

Showcasing the outstanding research selected for presentation at the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum 2025

At the inaugural Future Forum, we were proud to receive submissions from over 120 institutions, representing an extraordinary range of scientific disciplines, lived experiences and research questions.

From the impact of vaccine inequality on the Black community to the rediscovery of historic icebreaker routes in Antarctica, and from phage-antibiotic combination therapy to adaptive hearing aid design using machine learning, the abstracts showcased here reflect the breadth of thinking and creativity present in life sciences today. Many came from early-career researchers and undergraduate students, others from established professionals and community collaborators, all committed to shaping a more inclusive and responsive scientific landscape.

These abstracts and poster presentations were a vital part of the Future Forum programme. They sparked conversations, built networks and opened up new collaborations. We invite you to browse the list and explore the work that made this space so vibrant.

Oluwatosin Olufon University of the West of England African Folklore in Immersive Technology: A Conservation Perspective
Saliha Sadaf University of West of England A Comparative Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Carmustine and Vincristine on TK6 Lymphoblast Cells
Molly Crow 🏅 (Student Talk Prize Winner) University of the West of England A Comparison of Clinicopathological Features and Gene Expression in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women with Breast Cancer: Insights from a UK-Canada Cohort
Michaël Tadesse 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of Warwick A one-two punch? Investigating the potential of Phage-Antibiotic Combination (PAC) therapy using pleurotin and phage K in S. aureus
Victor Vitalis Birmingham City University A Systematic Review of the Diagnosis and Management of Sickle Cell Disease.
Nicolle Hanselmann University of West of England Adaptive Hearing Aid Design: Integrating Mechatronics and Machine Learning for Personalized Solutions
Tito Osadebey Keele University Addressing Artificial Intelligence Bias through Inclusivity: A Case Study with Nigerian Food Images
Yohance Osborne Durham University An Introduction to Mean Field Games
Yesmin Ali Begum 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Aston University An Investigation into the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Turpentine and Clove Essential Oils as Alternatives to Conventional Antimicrobials in the Management of HCAIs
Nnenna Robert Rhodes University Analysis of the role of polyphosphate kinase 1 in the physiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a promising drug target for the treatment of tuberculosis
Darshanika Arambegedara University of South Wales Analysing the digestate-amended soil's microbiome and determining its antibiotic resistance
Oluwatobi Fatola University of the West of England Antibacterial effect of 3D-printed surfaces containing silver borophosphate glass against zoonotic pathogens of avian origin.
Phoebe Davis 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Anti-Biofilm Testing using Commercial Disinfectants on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
Olorunjuwon Bello University of Medical Sciences Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Worn Jewellery in Ondo City, Nigeria
Margaret Danladi Plateau State University Assessment of fungi, mycotoxin composition and fungal enzyme activity in processed Solanum tuberosum Linn (Potato) products stored at different relative humidity
Gloria Oluwakemi Taylor Redeemers University Assessment of Microbial Risks, Antibiotic Resistance, and Biofilm Formation from Drinking Water Sources in Southwest Nigeria
Max Fisher ViaNautis Automating the Polymer Batch Release using a Bravo Liquid Handler
Dennis Affram University of Surrey Beta-2 Adrenergic regulation of the aged immune system
Sairaj Khan Birmingham City University Bioportide technologies to control stem cell fate
Laetitia Lecante University of Aberdeen Black carbon nanoparticles can locally alter human fetal airway epithelial transcriptomes
Meg Donohue University of the West of England Bleeding Between the Poverty Line: What impact does socio-economic class have on a woman's access to appropriate menstrual health care in the UK?
Charlene Dambire University of Nottingham Breathing life : Why and how plants sense oxygen
Corrine Willis University of the West of England Bridging Science and Storytelling: The Role of Creative Non-Fiction in Representing Lived Experiences
Omololu Fagunwa Queen's University Belfast Bridging the gaps: climate change, AMR and the future of equity in life sciences
Vanessa Fairhurst PREreview Bringing more equity and inclusion to peer review with PREreview
Stevie Veronique Noubissi University of the West of England Building Sustainable Cities: Innovations in Civil Engineering for a Greener Future
Kwabena Duedu Birmingham City University Characteristics of the steady state gut microbiome, inflammasome and haemolytic markers in African children with sickle cell disease
Claudette Lopez British Antarctic Survey Chasing Historic Icebreaker Vessels in Antarctica: Recovering Their Journeys and Quantifying Their Tracks
Ema Proksova University of the West of England Clinical vs research lab internship
Bunmi Ibrahim University of Birmingham Closing the gender gap in STEM using entrepreneurial skills- a transatlantic model
Holly Pringle University College London Community-based conservancies support cattle-wildlife coexistence in an African savanna ecosystem
Kelsey Byers John Innes Centre Creating accessible fieldwork: how to make field experiences inclusive of diverse bodies and minds
Bashiru Sani University of Strathclyde Curbing Antibiotic Resistance: Overview of Current Approaches and Future Directions
Yassin ElSalamouny 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Design and Development of a Proof-of-Concept Smart Medical EMG Controlled Knee Exoskeleton
Oluwatosin Orababa University of Warwick Developing a chronic biofilm infection treatment from an old English remedy
Mansi Tamboli 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Birmingham City University Development of a monocyte-based cytotoxicity assay to evaluate the safety of plant-derived antimicrobial compounds
Immaculata Ede 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Development of a Multi-Species Wound Biofilm Model, and Potential Diagnostic Applications
Adina Khan 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Birmingham City University Differences in peak torque of right hip extensors and flexors and average right hand grip strength between young British White women and South Asian women
Dara Pierre 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of Surrey Direct Analysis of Pesticides using SPME
Preethi Premkumar London South Bank University DISCOVerY project – Being a minoritised academic researcher and the impact of the COVID pandemic on their career progress
Lynette Graver Queen Mary University of London Dynamic regulation of blood stem cells and their progenies by epigenetic drift
Christopher Agboile University of the West of England AI-Empowered Big Data Analytics in Biomedical Applications and Digital Healthcare"
Saima Ahmed University of Glasgow EEG Hyperscanning Study of Functional Hyperconnectivity between Neurosurgeon Dyads during Surgery
Dooshima Nevkaa Nottingham Trent University Effects of a change in environmental factors on the morphology and Biochemical composition of the mycelia of Trametes Versicolor
Sulayman Njie University of Chester Efficacy and Safety of CRISPR-Cas9 Editing of BCL11A and HBG1/HBG2 to Increase Foetal Haemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Amira Watson University of Bristol Emotional Regulation After Racial Discrimination: An investigation into the effectiveness of self-distancing in mitigating the emotional and communicative consequences of racial discrimination
Godwyns Onwuchekwa eLife Empowering Minoritised Scientists: Building Capacity and Creating Opportunities at Strategic Level
Swati Sood University of the West of England Enhancing end of life management practices for onshore wind turbines
Anietie Aliu University of Surrey Enhancing Equitable Breast Screening Access for Black women in the UK: Perspectives from the literature and the way forward
Evieva Florah Ogbara Liverpool John Moores University Evaluating the Long-Term Effects of Biochar on Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration
Navodya Wickramarathna University of the West of England Evaluating the neuroprotective effect of medicinal fungus extract: Cordyceps militaris
Tethi Biswas Medical Wire & Equipment Evaluation of ENVIRO-KIT (TM), a new device for rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes on food contact surfaces.
Abolanle Adesope University of the West of England Influence of Gender-Segregated Spaces on Muslim Women's Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Wellbeing in the UK
Kezia Muthoni Njoroge Liverpool John Moores University Experiences of geophagy during pregnancy among African migrant women in London: Implications for public health interventions
Makanaka Wenga Birmingham City University Exploring Synergistic Potentials of Antimicrobial Compounds via a Multi-step Screening Assay
Nerys Thornhill University of Manchester Exploring the Conformational Diversity of eIF2:eIF2B Complexes with Cryo-EM
Afra Aabdien King's College London Exploring the early pathogenic mechanisms driven by mutant ARPP21 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Ayomikun Kade University of Warwick Exploring the influence of host environment on P. aeruginosa virulence and antibiotic susceptibility using host-mimicking media
Peter Sunny Blaney Liverpool John Moores University Understanding the intersection between informal carers' experiences, digital poverty and poor socioeconomic status - a mixed method approach
Imose Itua University of Bradford Factors Influencing the Perceived increase in use of FABMs: Case study analysis.
Merin T Pereira University of Westminster From waste to Watt: the role of different pretreatments in anaerobic biodegradation of plastics and upcycling to electricity using microbial fuel cells
Kenechukwu Egwuonwu 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Birmingham City University Genomic Characterisation of a Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Strain 007
Priscilla Akosile 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of Leicester Global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health
Syed Ayaan Reza University of the West of England Hand Dryers as Potential Transmitters of Antimicrobial-Resistant (AMR) Pathogens
Ebrahim Takulla Teesside University Heterologous Expression of a Biosynthetic Gene Cluster to Produce a Capuramycin Analogue
Shahrooz Ghaedsharaf 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England How targeting Caudal Type Homeobox-2 (CDX-2) protein prevents the metastasis of colorectal cancer via the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)
Elizabeth Kiilu University of Bradford Identifying and addressing barriers to vaccine uptake in perinatal minoritised ethnic women and their young children
Feroz Jadhakhan Birmingham City University Identifying Predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) following Musculoskeletal Trauma: Insights from a Prospective Observational Cohort Study at a Major Trauma Centre in the UK
Decrah Nyangena University of Surrey Impacts of Microplastics on the Bioavailability of Pollutants in Soils
Jisa Salim University of the West of England Investigating antibiofilm activity of essential oils against clinical and wild-type isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms
Kelechi Okeke University of Westminster Investigating Chemotherapy-Induced Secondary Leukaemia: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity
Tanimola Martins University of Exeter Investigating ethnic differences in performance of prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) testing in prostate cancer diagnosis
Iwan Edenojie University of the West of England Investigating N-cadherin expression in Carboplatin-resistant Breast tumours.
Michaël Perets University of Manchester Investigating Restorative Effects of Exendin-4 in Acute Hyperammonaemia: A Path to Cellular Recovery
Adriel Dass University of the West of England Investigating the Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Potential of Cinnamon Essential Oils and main components against Melanoma and Neuroblastoma Cells.
Daniela Duc Cardiff University Investigating the influence of electrical stimulation on the motility of U-87 MG glioblastoma cells in vitro for application in neural tissue engineering.
Olamiju Cooper 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Aston University Investigating the Potential of Essential Oils to Treat Candida albicans Infections: Applications in Women's Health.
Munavira Mukkoth 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England (Graduate) Investigating the role of EMT in breast cancer in response to hypoxia and tamoxifen
Mohammed Jabr University of the West of England Investigating the Role of Interleukin-6 in Donor Cell Leukaemia Pathogenesis
Celina Stibbard University of the West of England Investigating the significance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in carboplatin-resistant breast cancer: A gene expression analysis
Shanice Lewis University of Bristol Islet autoantibody prevalence in Type 1 diabetes cases in Ethiopia Compared with the UK
Vaishnavi Mayya 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Newcastle University Leveraging ImageStream® Imaging Flow Cytometer for Classifying Monocyte Populations in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) Using Machine Learning and label-free imaging parameters
Barbara Kimani 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Birmingham City University Liquorice root extract as treatment for pathogenic common upper respiratory tract Streptococci
Gabriel Gibson 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Low-dose Daunorubicin Could Undermine the Hypoxic Protection of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in Bone Marrow
Nengi Unah Liverpool John Moores University Medical misogyny: Exploring the Disproportionate psychosocial Burden of Uterine Fibroids on Black African Women (A Scoping Review)
Shan Damas Florida Atlantic University Microbiome solutions for Early Tomato Blight Disease
Blessing Okeyoyin Sheffield Hallam university Mitigate unconscious bias in leadership within workplace policies and procedures to promote fairness and equality in the UK Higher Education sector.
Ayomide Adekanye Cardiff University Modelling sensory nerve - bone interface
Leonard Uzairue University of Staffordshire & Federal University of Agriculture Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase Producing Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from Human, Animal, and Environmental Samples from Ekiti and Ondo State, Nigeria.
Kehinde Ross Liverpool John Moores University Mud Huts to MicroRNA: An Afropean Journey
Tanveer Tabish University of Oxford Next generation drug delivery nanosystems
Hibbah Osei-Kwasi Loughborough University Nutrition interventions in ethnic minority populations: Countering a Deficit Approach
Vikas Nariapara The University of the West of England On Demand Delivery of Liposomal Gentamicin Utilising Cold Atmospheric Plasma
Husna Mukunzi 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Optimizing PCR and Microsatellite Analysis for Cell Line Authentication.
Ansam Mohamed Middlesex University Our Health and Well-being.
Abrar Kholwadia 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) Deficiency in CACP Syndrome: A Comparative Study with Osteoarthritis
Samantha Monthe Taffou Anglia Ruskin University Quality improvement project on the pain management of Vaso-occlusive crisis in paediatric patients with sickle-cell anaemia in secondary care
Khyati Sharma Birmingham City University Quantification of Enterobacteriaceae on electronic device by comparing bacterial abundance on phone and skin and screening for extended spectrum ÃŸ-lactamase (ESBL)
Jinal Shah Birmingham City University Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus and Community-acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) on Mobile Touch Screens of Student and Staff at Birmingham City University
Rashmi Danwaththa Liyanage Liverpool John Moores University Racial Discrimination and Paranoia: Exploring the potential mediating role of ethnic identity
Deborah Aluh Lisbon Institute of Global Mental Health Reducing Coercion in Mental Health Care: Contextual Insights from Nigeria and Portugal
Emma Hargreaves University of Kent / Biochemical Society Research Culture: Using reflective practice to support PhD students in the biosciences
Jenny Douglas The Open University Researching Black women's health in the UK
Sofina Iqra 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Aston University Revitalising Regeneration: Boosting Pericytes for Next-Generation Healing
John Ogunsola University of Glasgow RNA-Seq reveals distinct renal responses to murine trypanosomiasis in susceptible and tolerant mice
Joel Edouard Florida Atlantic University Root Microbiome in Historically (>100-yr old) Undisturbed Citrus Farms Correlates with Abundance of Unclassified Beneficial Bacteria while Cultivated Managed Citrus Groves Showed Dysbiosis and High Greening Disease
Nkopuyo Sunday University of the West of England Sea sponges are novel tools for biomonitoring in the Niger Delta: A genotoxicity study
Zakaria Ben Ali University of the West of England Simulated Urban Environment for Last Mile Drone Logistics
Madiha Shabbir King's College London Single cell analysis of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in individuals with atopic eczema treated with a biologic drug
J Medhansh Sai Mani University of The West of England Smart Medical Box: A Cost-Effective IoT-Based Medication Safety and Adherence System
Efe Okekporo University of the West of England Spatial and temporal evaluation of soil carbon dynamics in rewilding sites: implications for carbon sequestration
Ashleigh Scott 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Cardiff University Strategies to enhance the racial and ethnic diversity of breast cancer clinical drug trials
Shugri Macalin 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Strategies to increase representation of Blood donors from Black and Minority Ethnic Populations in the UK
Zainab Raib Birmingham City University Stress in the digital age: exploring the relationship between digital stress and pain
Iheoma Nwuzor University of Bristol Sustainable solutions and material innovation through advanced composite manufacturing for bioeconomy
Nicola Lena 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the availability of essential medicines for non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa
Leila Powell 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England The Antimicrobial Activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum & Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oils Against Candida auris & Candida albicans.
Georgina Donovan 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England The Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Commercial Herbal Teas Against Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and Streptococcus thermophilus NCIMB 8510
Annika Ahmed University of the West of England The antimicrobial potential of Eugenol, Carvacrol and Cinnamon essential oil against Candida albicans.
Salma Shalaby Liverpool John Moores University The Canaries' Experience: Can the canaries find invisible dangers? Based on True Events VR Experience
Segun Ogunmefun University of the West of England The Effect of Prosthetic Rhizosphere on Nitrogen Metabolism of Hydroponic Grown Basil
Henrietha Chukwuefe University of Manchester The effects of of in vitro fertilization on maternal cardiovascular system
Daniel Harris 🏅 (Student Talk Prize Winner) University of Essex The Green Industrial Revolution and the Future of Steel Production: Using the Innovative Sheffield Cell
Preethi Premkumar London South Bank University The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled researchers' experience of career progression
Hannah Guy 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England The impact/effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on the kidney function and quality of life of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD): a systematic review (and meta-analysis)
Temitope Oshoboke Sheffield Hallam University The knowledge and attitude of Millennials towards Telemedicine (focus group is Nigeria)
Confidence Oteng Amoako University of Exeter The Role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Prostate Cancer Progression
Chitaranjan Mahapatra Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience The Role of Neuroscience Research in Solving the Climate Crisis
Tughu Aiyewa University of the West of England The Visual Representation of Scientific Data through Immersive Technology
Iyabo Oladipo Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Therapeutic Potentials of Some Lactobacillus Species Isolated from Selected Nigerian Fermented Foods and Condiments
Wasseem Emam 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) Complutense University of Madrid / Ethical Seafood Research Farmed fish welfare in Egypt: Surveying current practices and future directions for tilapia culture
Saeeda Khan London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine To Identify T cell epitopes of Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) proteins which may trigger autoimmune response in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) by molecular mimicry.
Emmanuel Acheampong University of Leicester Transcriptomic analysis of small extracellular vesicles RNA in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Tatendashe Bernadette Dondo University of Leeds Transforming child health outcomes through data linkages
Wahito Kangere University of Northampton Transforming Depression Risk Prediction with Artificial Intelligence.
Chinedu Ekechukwu University of the West of England Uncertainty assessment of low-cost measurements of suspended solids and turbidity in detention ponds
Nicholas Edwards Durham University Understanding embodied meanings of efficacy in the context of the use of Western Herbal Medicine for the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Manar Amasha 🏅 (Poster Prize Winner) University of the West of England Understanding Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signalling in colorectal cancer
Mia Ashley University of the West of England Understanding the Experiences of Black Student Nurses in Clinical and Academic Settings
Sadish Oumabady Queen's University Belfast Unlocking New Research Frontiers: Char based solutions for a Net zero future and the path ahead
Melanie Etti University of Oxford Vaccine Research and the Black Community: The Good, The Bad, and the Future
Sangeetha Piriya Ramasamy University of Leeds Valorising wheat straw for amorphous silica production: A strategy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from soil
Fengxi Jin University of Manchester Visual Threat Sensitivity and Vestibular Gaze Control in Freely Moving Mice: A 3D Eye-Tracking Approach
Susmita Aown University of Sussex Which one smells nicer? : Varietal preference of Meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) on commercially grown lavender in the UK