Seven Questions with Fatumina Said Abukar

1. Why you are interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

When I was a child, I thought that doctors had the answers to everything. But my mum became terminally ill when I was only 16 and there was nothing the doctors could do for her. It was then then that I realised I wanted a career that helped me to give hope to patients for which there was nothing out there, so becoming an engineering scientist was a choice that came naturally to me.

Regenerative Medicine involves getting your own body to heal itself using stem cells. Stem cells that still haven't decided what they are going to become but that have the potential to become more specialized cells in our bodies. Doing a PhD has many challenges because science, especially in this area of research, involves a lot of failure. However, this means that you get to ask more questions, be more creative, change your way of thinking and troubleshoot a lot.

In the future, I hope to become an expert in the area of cell and gene therapy. I want to learn as much as possible so that I can use my knowledge and experience to speed up the process of getting cell based therapies out there. 

I also want to write my own music and inspire people through my lyrics. We are trained in this society to think that you can only fit into one box for fear of failing at life, but we all have different layers to ourselves and multiple passions. The actress Hedy Lamarr was regarded as the most beautiful actress in Hollywood, but she was also a very successful scientist - without the principles of her work we wouldn't have WIFI today!

2. What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

Joining the UCLU Jazz Society.

At my first class, I was very timid and instead of singing along with the rest I would mime. As time passed, I became more comfortable with the singing, especially as everyone was so friendly, and began to enjoy the sense of belonging and calmness.

In time, I decided to give auditioning for their big shows a try and soon after I was landing leading solo roles and performing in the West End, and improvising with a small jazz band, all of which gave me more confidence.

Performing with Jazz Soc reinforced my love for singing so much I decided to open an Instagram page fatuminamusic and started posting mini covers.

Also, two years ago I competed in one of the UCL Sustainability Team and UCL Green Economy competitions. I didn't win but it inspired me to set up a Facebook page called humansofuclgreen in the style of  'Humans of New York', where the UCL community gets to share their stories and views on green and sustainability.

3. Have you discovered any 'hidden gems' during your time at UCL?

The Green Note in Camden, an intimate live music venue at the heart of Camden Town with a very friendly atmosphere. They host gigs every night from folk and blues to roots, world, jazz, country, bluegrass and amateur singer-songwriters.

4. Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London

Ronnie Scott's 
Covent Garden
Hummingbird Bakery, their red velvet cupcakes are delicious!

5. If you were Provost for the day, what one thing would you do?

I would think of new ways of testing students other than written exams. Most students try to cram everything just before exams and once they are done, they forget everything. I think we should consider more efficient ways of testing students: such as presentations, practical exams, coursework and hands on projects.

6. Who inspires you and why?

I think everyone I ever had the chance to meet in my life inspired me in some ways. Life is a continuous bundle of learning experiences. When you are in a place like UCL, you hang out with people you never thought you would get on with, people from completely different backgrounds, with contrasting life experiences and views, and you continuously get inspired and grow.

7. What would it surprise people to know about you?

People always get surprised when I speak Italian but that is actually my first language. I spent my whole infancy in Italy. Also, I lived for a few years in a convent. That sure was an experience!