Speakers
Tomi Akingbade
Dr Amara Anyogu
Nicholas Farmer
Dr Oluwadamilola Okeyoyin
Afua Acheampong
Dr Donald Palmer
Plenary Session
In the closing plenary of MLSFF26, members of the Steering Committee come together for an open conversation about the origins, growth, and future of Europe’s only conference dedicated to STEM professionals from marginalised and underrepresented backgrounds. Why did this space need to exist? What has the journey from idea to movement taught us? And where do we go from here — as a community, as a network, and as a force for systemic change in the life sciences?
This is not a panel. It is an honest, reflective, and forward-looking conversation, inviting every delegate to see themselves in the story of MLSFF and to help shape what comes next.
Moderated by Tomi Akingbade
Tomi Akingbade has recently completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, having investigated the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases. Her passion for equality and representation in the science industry led her to create the Black Women in Science (BWiS) Network in 2018. BWiS Network is a UK-based networking platform that works towards giving Black women the necessary platforms and opportunities to further their careers and interests in the Sciences. Since its launch, BWiS Network has grown to be a safe space for Black women in Science; a global platform providing networking opportunities and career webinars; as well as a contributing voice in the movement towards equity in the Sciences. Tomi is also proud to serve as one of the Chair’s of the MRC Black in Biomedical Science Advisory Group.
Dr Amara Anyogu is a Senior Academic Mentor in the School of Human Sciences at London Metropolitan University, where she works to ensure students from all backgrounds can thrive in higher education. A London Met alumna herself, Amara brings both personal experience and scholarly expertise to her work on widening participation, learning development, and inclusive pedagogy.
Amara serves as Chair of the Programme Committee for MLS Future Forum 2026 and is a member of the Royal Society of Biology's Bioscience Awarding Gap Network Steering Committee, where she contributes to sector-wide efforts to understand and address differential outcomes in bioscience education. Her current interests include equitable approaches to AI integration in teaching and learning, ensuring that emerging technologies create pathways to success rather than new barriers for underrepresented students.
Amara holds a PhD in Food Microbiology and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Nicholas Farmer serves as the Race Equality Lead at the Medical Research Council (MRC), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing race equity across the biomedical research sector. With a focus on addressing the underrepresentation of researchers from marginalised backgrounds, Nicholas is instrumental in driving systemic change within the MRC and the wider UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) community.
Nicholas is deeply committed to creating a more inclusive environment in science, working on initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at all levels. He has been a key figure in developing the 'Black in Biomedical Research' project, which aims to create new opportunities and support systems for Black researchers in the field. His work includes coordinating new fellowship programmes, funding school outreach opportunities for pre-university students, and building partnerships across the research and innovation sector to foster a collaborative approach to race equality.
With a background that combines extensive experience in project management and a deep understanding of D&I challenges, Nicholas is dedicated to ensuring that race equality actions are informed by robust data and meaningful stakeholder engagement. His efforts are not just about policy but about creating tangible, lasting changes that will benefit future generations of scientists.
Dr Oluwadamilola Okeyoyin is a biomedical researcher, creative innovator, and Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of the West of England UWE Bristol. Through her research, she investigates how indigenous plant medicines including herbal teas influence the human microbiome, metabolism, and gut volatile compounds. She is Co-Founder of Keyowa, a creative studio using animation and immersive technologies to make science accessible to diverse communities.
Dami serves as an accountability partner on the University of Bristol Reparative Justice Boards, championing equity, and institutional change. She has held leadership roles including Vice President Education of The Students Union at UWE, Lead School Representative for Applied Sciences and Teaching Excellence Framework Panellist with the Office for Students. Her commitment to representation and student advocacy earned recognition in the UWE Students Union Celebrating Culture Hall of Fame. She has also managed the NIHR INSIGHT Southwest Central Collaboration and led the UWE and NHS Diverse Internship Project, widening placement access for marginalised students.
As Outreach, Engagement and Social Impact Lead and Co-Chair of the Marketing Committee for the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum, Dami drives national outreach and visibility for underrepresented researchers. She speaks (TEDx talk) and writes on race equity, mental health, cultural identity and community centred science, and is committed to widening participation, shaping inclusive research cultures, and ensuring minoritised scientists thrive across academia and industry.
Afua Acheampong is Head of the Black Internship Programme at Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), where she leads the strategic design, delivery and expansion of a national programme focused on improving access, equity and career development for Black students and graduates in health data science.
She is a national Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader, strategist and speaker with over seven years’ experience advancing racial equity across higher education and research institutions. Afua is the creator of the Nottingham Trent University Black Leadership Programme, a nationally recognised initiative she designed whilst Vice President of Education at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. Created in 2019, the programme has supported and graduated over 800 Black students, and continues to support students in building confidence, leadership capability and a strong sense of belonging. Today, the programme remains a leading model for inclusive practice in Higher Education.
Afua most recently led race equality at Queen Mary University of London, where she secured the institution’s first Race Equality Charter award. Her practice focuses on institutional culture change, increasing representation of minoritised staff, and embedding race equity across policy and leadership.
At a national level, Afua is Deputy Chair of the Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group (BBRAG), a national Medical Research Council board overseeing investment into racial equity in biomedical research. She serves as Finance Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF), where she leads financial oversight and governance for the conference. Previously, Afua sat on the Office for Students Teaching Excellence Framework Advisory Board.
Afua holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Nottingham Trent University and completed study abroad at Western Washington University, studying Political Science.
Donald has a BSc in Medical Sciences from Bradford University, an MSc in Immunology from King's College London (KCL), and a PhD from the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre. As a post-doc, Donald worked in laboratories at Cancer Research UK and Imperial College London; in the latter, he successfully obtained an MRC Career Development Award. He joined the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), University of London, in 2002 and is currently an Associate Professor in Immunology. Donald is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Immunology at Imperial College London, Visiting Lecturer at Cambridge University and University of East London and a Visiting Fellow for Reuben College, University of Oxford (one of the College’s inaugural Visiting Fellows).
His main research interest is understanding the effect of age on the immune system, and he teaches several undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. He is on the Editorial Board of various scientific journals and is currently a member of the British Society for Immunology (BSI) and the British Society for Research on Ageing. Donald was previously the Education and Careers Secretary for the BSI, a post he held for four years until June 2024.
Donald is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within academia and beyond, being actively involved in initiatives at his university along with being a member of both the MRC Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group which among its aim is to advise MRC on equality and diversity-related, and Health Data Research UK Black Intern Programme Advisory Group, which aims to provide employment opportunity for Black people within the health data science sector.
Donald is passionate about increasing scientific awareness amongst the general public and fellow scientists, and encouraging young people to consider a career in science by regularly contributing to public engagement activities, speaking at schools, colleges, community events, and scientific festivals. He also actively participates in the university’s widening participation events. Donald is also Co-Founder/Co-Director of Reach Society, an award-winning social enterprise which aims to inspire young people to fulfil their potential. Donald is a Professional Mentor for Amos Bursary and the Chair of Governors at a school in North-West London.
Professor Emmanuel Adukwu is an academic and Deputy Head of the School of Applied Sciences at UWE Bristol. With a profound commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in science, he serves as a key member of the 'Black in Biomedical Research' Advisory Group (BBRAG). The BBRAG was established to address the underrepresentation of Black heritage researchers in the UK biomedical sector, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Professor Adukwu's extensive experience in academia and his dedication to equality make him a pivotal figure in shaping initiatives that aim to support marginalised groups within the life sciences. Through his work, he actively advocates for the inclusion and representation of Black and other marginalised researchers, striving to influence policies that reflect the needs and experiences of these communities.
As a speaker at the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum, Professor Adukwu will bring invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by underrepresented groups in life science research. His leadership and advocacy play a crucial role in driving transformative changes in the scientific community.