Diverse voices in life sciences: why Edwin was so quick to sign up for MLSFF26

With applications now coming in for Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) 2026, we caught up with Edwin Tapiwa Toreveyi, the very first delegate to sign on the dotted line.

MLSFF is headed for Scotland in Spring 2026 and is the first and only major conference in Europe dedicated to supporting and showcasing the contributions of marginalised and underrepresented communities in the life sciences. 

Edwin Tapiwa Toreveyi (34), a PhD student from Harper Adams University, opens up on his research and tells us why he was so quick to sign on the dotted line.

Born in Harare and raised in Rutendo, Redcliff, a small mining town in Zimbabwe once known for producing iron, Edwin’s path to research was shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a desire to contribute to a better future. Where many around him saw industry and survival, Edwin found inspiration in the resilience of crops and the role science could play in tackling hunger and climate challenges.

Sensing technologies

Now supported by the BBSRC, MIBTP, and the Douglas Bomford Trust, his doctoral research focuses on using sensing technologies to predict and prevent drought-induced disorders in potatoes before they cause major yield losses. 

“This work addresses urgent global issues like food security, climate resilience, and reducing waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by linking plant physiology to practical agricultural solutions,” he says.  

“Broadly, my scientific interests lie at the intersection of crop improvement, climate change resilience, and technology. I’m particularly motivated by the challenge of feeding a growing global population in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate. I see my work as a small but meaningful step toward helping growers increase their revenue, use water more efficiently, boost productivity, and strengthen food security, all while reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.”

Pushing boundaries

Edwin’s journey reflects what it means to push boundaries - moving from a small Zimbabwean town to the forefront of agricultural science, while carrying with him a deep commitment to communities that remain vulnerable to climate change and food shortages. His story serves as a reminder that the future of science depends not only on technology but also on voices and perspectives that grow from diverse roots and experiences.

Next March will be his first experience of MLSFF and he was quick to put his name down after hearing about it from a colleague.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t know about the MLS Future Forum earlier this year, but after hearing my MIBTP cohort Safina speak so positively about it, I was on the lookout for the next engagement,” he says. 

“I was drawn to the MLS Future Forum because it aligns with my own journey, from growing up in a small Zimbabwean mining town to advancing agricultural science in the UK, and its commitment to diverse voices in life sciences resonated strongly.”

Opening doors

Edwin says that as a Black scientist, he values spaces that open doors for underrepresented researchers, but doesn’t want to be seen only as a minority voice. 

“My motivation is to help build a future where there are not just a few of us breaking barriers, but many scientists from diverse backgrounds contributing equally to global change,” he says.

“What I hope to gain is twofold: professionally, exposure to new sensing and crop-monitoring technologies as well as fresh perspectives that can strengthen my research in plant phenotyping; and personally, the chance to engage in conversations about equity and representation. 

Smoother pathways

“I want to help ensure that the next generation of scientists from backgrounds like mine do not have to navigate the same barriers alone, but instead find pathways made smoother by community, visibility, and opportunity.”

The Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) will be held at Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) from March 23 to 26.

To find out more and sign up for updates, visit the Future Forum website at www.mlsfutureforum.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram (www.instagram.com/mlsfutureforum)  and X (@MLSFutureForum) for the latest announcements.