Accessible Innovation in Stem Cell Research at the 13th Annual MSCA Meeting

Accessible Innovation in Stem Cell Research at the 13th Annual MSCA Meeting

Are you a stem cell researcher looking for networking and career development opportunities in the UK? An accessible and low-cost conference will take place at Keele University later this year, offering a unique opportunity to meet and network with other stem cell researchers without incurring the prohibitive costs of some larger science conferences.

Plans for the 13th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Mercia Stem Cell Alliance are in their final stages as the committee prepares to host this exciting event in Staffordshire, UK, on 3rd December 2025. The event will include guest speakers, abstracts, poster presentations, and exciting networking opportunities.

We spoke to MSCA student representative Oliver Rowley of Keele University who told us more about his role on the planning committee, the guest speaker he’s most excited to see, and the importance of offering lower cost networking opportunities to early career life scientists.

Hi Oliver! Please can you tell us a little about your background as a scientist?

I’ve just started the third year of my PhD in neuroscience at Keele University. I’m using brain organoids to study the function of the schizophrenic risk gene DLG2 in neural precursor cells. But before coming to Keele, I was a research assistant at the University of Bath where I worked with Killifish. Killifish are an emerging vertebrate model used for studying aging as they are very short lived (20 weeks). Prior to working in Bath, I did an integrated Masters in Biomedical Sciences at Cardiff University which also included a placement year at the University of York.

What is the Mercia Stem Cell Alliance, and what are its goals?

The MSCA is made up of members of stem cell research communities across the Midlands, Northeast and Northwest of England. The main objective of the alliance is to harness the expertise of its members to develop and promote stem cell research in the region. We are committed to advancing the field by bringing together scientists and industrial collaborators who recognise the economic and social potential of stem cell research, stem cell-derived therapies and models, as well as regenerative medicine.

What is your involvement in the event, and what inspired you to get involved?

I am part of the planning committee along with Dr Jenny Shin, Dr Charlotte Hulme and Professor Karina Wright. After attending the previous two editions of the MSCA annual meetings in Nottingham and Birmingham I was inspired to take a more active role in the community and become a MSCA student representative. 

When and where is the event taking place this year?

The meeting will take place on 3rd December 2025 in Keele Hall on campus at Keele University, UK.

What will the event offer for in-person attendees?

For the low cost of attending the conference the attendees will hear about the latest stem cell research from the invited speakers as well as the selected abstracts. There will be ample opportunity to network with other attendees and talk face to face with sponsors and poster presenters.

Are you still accepting abstract submissions, and if so, what topics or themes would be of most interest?

Yes - the abstract deadline is 24th October. Any stem cell-based research is welcome, whether that be fundamental or translational/clinical research.

Why are events like this so valuable for early career researchers?

With its low registration fee, this conference offers early career researchers a great opportunity to have their voices heard and present their work to members of the stem cell community. A group of 14 early career researchers (who submit an abstract) will have the opportunity to present a 10-minute talk. The conference also helps them form a network of other researchers and industry partners. 

What networking opportunities will be available for attendees?

The day's programme includes ample time for networking both with other attendees and sponsors that all work in the stem cell space. So, if you too work in the stem cell field there is a lot to be gained from attending the MSCA annual meeting.

Which of the confirmed guest speakers are you most excited to hear from?

The keynote speaker for this year’s MSCA meeting is Professor Rick Livesey. He has over 20 years of experience in neuroscience, stem cell biology and drug discovery in academia, biotech and pharma, his research has pioneered methods to model human brain development and disease from pluripotent stem cells. He is currently the CEO of the human stem cell drug discovery company Talisman, for which he is also the Scientific Founder. The title of his talk is “Using stem cell models to understand neurological disease biology and develop novel therapeutics”.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about the event?

With the relaunch of the UK Stem Cell Network this year, we are seeing a resurgence in the strength of the stem cell community within the UK. As part of this resurgence there is a desire to create a network of regional networks in order to sustainably grow the strength of the UK stem cell network, and having a strong MSCA network is part of this ‘network of networks’ approach.

How can our readers find out more about the event?

Registration closes on 2nd December, and more details can be found here: https://estore.keele.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/faculty-of-natural-sciences/school-of-life-sciences/mercia-stem-cell-alliance-13th-annual-scientific-meeting-2025