MLSFF was the springboard for our immersive health tech - and that's why we're coming back for more!

Keyowa is a sci- health tech studio that turns complex biomedical, healthcare and STEM research into immersive experiences, animations, and interactive tools. It helps researchers, educators, and partners communicate science clearly, spark curiosity, and improve accessibility for diverse audiences. The work blends rigorous science with creative storytelling, with a focus on inclusion and disability-first design.

The studio was co-founded by Tughu Aiyewa - the Director of the company - and Dr Oluwadamilola Okeyoyin. 

“After years of working at the intersection of biomedical research, education, and creative technology, we saw brilliant research struggle to reach the people it could help,” Tughu says. “We started prototyping immersive scenes that translated metabolomics, microbiome science, and clinical pathways into intuitive visual stories.” 

Positive reactions from students, healthcare providers and community groups encouraged them to formalise the studio, and Keyowa is now a registered company based at Future Space, Launch Space, in Bristol.

Why did you choose MLSFF for our first conference to showcase your prototype?

MLSFF brings together minoritised life scientists, industry, and educators in a practical, generous community. The Birmingham conference offered a strong audience for early user feedback, including students, ECRs, and senior academics who are directly involved in teaching and public engagement. The event aligned with our mission, inclusion, accessibility, and culturally aware storytelling, so it was the ideal first stage for our prototype.

What did you showcase?

We delivered a session on using immersive technologies for science, and demonstrated our flagship prototype which was on the visualisation of scientific data using animation. This was based on PhD research of three years condensed and explained in a five-minute animation that could be understood by a general audience. Attendees could test the experience and share rapid feedback that we captured as user experience data.

What kind of reception did you get?

Engagement at our stand was steady throughout the day. Attendees highlighted three things in particular: clarity of complex ideas, ease of use and strong potential for teaching and outreach. 

We received detailed comments on interaction flow, session length, accessibility features such as captions and audio descriptions, and requests for discipline-specific variants - for example, oncology, antimicrobial resistance and nutrition, all of which were amazing positive feedback.

How did MLSFF make a difference to the business?

MLSFF validated our positioning as a partner for inclusive science communication.

What made MLSFF most impactful for you?

Access to a large, motivated student and ECR audience in one place; meaningful conversations with academics who commission teaching tools; and a supportive organiser team that prioritised inclusion and practical impact. The mix of talks, posters, and exhibition created a constant flow of relevant visitors for real testing, not just passing interest.

What’s happening now?

Keyowa is a registered company, resident in Future Space, Launch Space, Bristol, and building a library of immersive scenes which we are bursting to share with everyone - so please keep an eye on our website and social media platforms!

In the near term, we are focused on meeting more teams who want their science to land with impact, taking on new client projects, and showcasing our prototypes at events. We will keep building relationships with universities, NHS groups and societies, while refining our workflow. If you are a university, lab, health network, or company that wants your science/message to land with people, let’s talk!

What would you like to see at MLSFF in future?

More of us in Edinburgh, please! Jokes aside, keep the energy high and the space for hands-on demos. We loved it.

Closing thoughts?

MLSFF Birmingham was a real lift for Keyowa. It gave us honest feedback, real users, and momentum. We create immersive tools that make complex science clear, memorable, and accessible, and we are just getting started. We cannot wait to be in Edinburgh with a sharper build, bolder visuals and the same mission - to make science unforgettable for everyone.