Abigael – Master's student in Biosciences

Meet Abigael Folorunsho, a master’s student at the University of Turku and an UTU Ambassador for 2026-2027!

I started my academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science at Lagos State University, Nigeria, which I completed in 2022. After graduating, I moved into the tech industry, where I built my experience as a Product Designer, working on digital products, collaborating with teams, and managing projects. Over time, I realised that my interests extended beyond technology, and I wanted to return to my scientific roots and explore questions around biology, genetics, and human health. This led me to the University of Turku in Finland, where I’m now pursuing a master’s degree in Biology, specialising in Evolutionary Biology. I’m particularly interested in exploring the relationship between evolutionary biology, genetics, and human health. I hope to investigate how genetic variation and evolutionary processes influence biological traits, disease susceptibility, and differences between individuals and populations. I’m still developing my specific research interests, but my goal is to build the knowledge and research skills needed to contribute to our understanding of these questions. I see my current studies as an important step towards a future in biological and genetic research, where I can help turn scientific questions into knowledge that may ultimately benefit human health.

Abigael's study experience:

How is your study experience at UTU and what services/aspects have influenced that the most?

My time at UTU has been a transformative journey. Learning here isn’t just about absorbing information, it’s about engaging deeply with ideas, questioning assumptions, and growing as a whole person.

What makes UTU special is the power of its community. My classmates, each with unique backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, have become a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Their perspectives challenge me to think critically, broaden my worldview, and approach problems with empathy and creativity. Meanwhile, professors encourage us to explore ideas thoroughly, sit with complexity, and value the process of learning as much as the outcome.

Beyond academics, I’ve learned that true growth happens when we care for both mind and body. Most importantly, UTU reminds me that I am more than just a student; the university values holistic development.

To whom would you recommend your programme to?

To any one who is coming for my programme i would recommend that you get informed about the programme well enough before coming. It become quite challenging getting acquainted with a new course while you are settling down. You could get frustrated. I would also recommended you go through the study guide to prepare you ahead of the journey ahead.

What is your background and how did you end up choosing your programme?

I studied Animal Science at Lagos State University in Nigeria, where I graduated in 2022. During my undergraduate studies, I became interested in understanding not just what happens in living organisms, but why it happens. My final-year research on pig growth gave me an opportunity to explore this curiosity. I worked with growth data and mathematical models, and it made me realise that there was so much more to learn about the biological processes we often take for granted. I started asking more questions about why organisms grow differently, what influences these differences, and how we can use scientific research to understand them better. My lecturers and the things I encountered during my studies encouraged me to look beyond simply learning facts and to become more curious about the science behind them.

After graduating, I moved into the tech industry and worked as a Product Designer. It was a different experience, and I enjoyed the opportunity to solve problems and work on different projects. However, I still wanted to challenge myself academically and explore the questions about biology that had stayed with me since my undergraduate days. I became increasingly interested in genetics, evolution, and how understanding the history and variation of living organisms could help us learn more about human health. That curiosity eventually brought me to the University of Turku to study Evolutionary Biology. I chose this programme because I wanted to understand how life has changed over generations, why organisms differ, and how evolutionary processes shape the world we live in today. I'm still discovering where this journey will take me, but I hope to develop my research skills and eventually explore questions at the intersection of evolution, genetics, and human health.

What have you found special in the study experience at UTU?

One thing I’ve found special about studying at UTU is the freedom you have to be yourself and take responsibility for your learning. You’re not always spoon-fed information; you’re encouraged to read, ask questions, discuss ideas, and find things out for yourself. A lot of the learning also happens through group work, assignments, and presentations, where you get to hear different opinions and learn from other students. Of course, there’s the other side of it too! Some days, it feels like you spend the whole day on your laptop, jumping from one assignment to another and wondering where the time went. Finding a balance between school and life can be challenging, but you gradually learn how to manage your time and take responsibility for your work.

What I appreciate most, though, is how approachable the lecturers are and how freely you can interact with them. You can ask questions, share your opinions, and admit when you don’t understand something without feeling that you have to pretend to know it all. I also appreciate that conversations can feel open and human, rather than being limited to a lecturer simply delivering information and a student taking notes. You’re encouraged to think for yourself, and your perspective matters. For me, that freedom comes with a responsibility to keep learning, challenge myself, and get to know myself better. I’m learning that being a student isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. At UTU, I feel there is room to do that while still being yourself.

What are your future career plans?

My future goal is to build a career in genetics and human health. After my master’s degree, I plan to pursue a PhD to deepen my knowledge and prepare for a career in research focused on understanding human health and disease.

How do you balance your studies during your free time?

Honestly, I'm still trying to figure out how to balance my studies and free time. I won't lie, most times, my idea of free time is catching up on sleep! 😂 There's almost always something to read or an assignment to finish, and even when I manage to go out, I sometimes find myself thinking about all the work I left undone instead of actually enjoying myself.

I know this isn't the healthiest way to go about things, and I'm trying to get better at it. I think I need friends who will encourage me to step away from my books, invite me out, and sometimes insist that I come along, even when my first response is that I have too much work to do. 😂 So, if you're the kind of person who enjoys getting friends out of their rooms and helping them have a little fun, please find me! I could definitely use some of that energy. For now, I'm learning that taking breaks and enjoying life are also part of the student experience.