What drives impactful science? 

This year’s SEFARI PhD Showcase and Science for Life Lecture hosted by BioSS (Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland), brought together researchers from across the SEFARI collective (The Rowett Institute, The Moredun Research Institute, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, BioSS, Scotland’s Rural College and The James Hutton Institute). From soil health to food insecurity, the event celebrated open discussion, collaboration, and daring ideas, and showcased the work of Scotland’s early career researchers. 

Poster presentation. Photo credit: Amy Cooper

SEFARI PhD Showcase

Throughout the SEFARI PhD Showcase conversations flowed easily as people caught up with each other, explored posters, and shared ideas spanning everything from organoids (miniature, simplified versions of organs) to tree disease, soil stewardship, and food insecurity across the globe.

What stood out most to me was the energy and curiosity in the room. Questions were thoughtful, never adversarial and asked with a genuine interest and shared desire to learn. It reminded me of what I loved about doing my PhD, a rare opportunity to immerse yourself fully in a subject, take risks, and develop new skills in a supportive space.

Speakers showcased how research can connect to real-world impact. Ben Horne (Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)) linked soil degradation to farmer livelihoods, calling for policies that “save the farmers to save the soil.” Abbie Stephen (The Rowett Institute) and Josephine Heger (The James Hutton Institute) explored food insecurity from urban and rural perspectives, whilst Galen Costomiris (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE)) told us exciting tales of his research from the forested wetlands in the Congo – his favourite type of forest being the permanently flooded Ndoki forest.

During the poster sessions I learned that two of the students were on the cusp of identifying new species – Syadwina Dalimunthe (RGBE) with Cyrtandra flowers, and Keir Beaton (SRUC) with whale liver fluke worms! There’s always something new to discover when you look closely enough.

 

Prizes were awarded to the best PhD presentations and SEFARI Gateway would like to say a big congratulations to the winners – 

 

🥇Zoë Marshall (Hutton) – 1st Prize Poster Presentation – “Bere”-ly Enough Managanese

🥈Claire Stainfield (SRUC) – 2nd Prize Poster Presentation – Balancing Wildlife and Tourism: Exploring and Understanding Seal Tourism at Newburgh Beach

🥇Merel van den Haak (Rowett) – 1st Prize Oral Presentation - Profiling and Modulating the Gut Microbiota: Insights from FIT Samples and Dietary Fibre Intake

🥈Abbie Stephen (Rowett) – 2nd Prize Oral Presentation - From Evidence to Action: Using Insights from Behavioural Science to Improve Nutrition in Food-Insecure Adults

🥉Naomi Defty (Moredun) – 3rd Prize Oral Presentation - Tackling Poultry Red Mite: Identifying RNAi and Vaccine Targets

 

Photo credit: Chris Ashworth

The presentation winners with their certificates. L to R: Naomi Defty, Abbie Stephen, Merel van den Haak, Zoë Marshall and Claire Stainfield. Photo credit: Chris Ashworth (BioSS)

 

Science for Life Lecture

David G Farquhar FRGS closed the event by delivering a Science for Life Lecture centred around innovative and impactful science with a particular focus on commercial scaling. He ended with a memorable challenge: to “throw away the rule book” and dare to do science differently – be bold, be creative and don’t be afraid to fail. His call to action, that culture, not just technology, drives innovation, captured the spirit of the day perfectly.