From the moment Laura Utume set foot on the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) campus, she was captivated by its vibrant international community. With a deep-seated belief in the power of community development and engagement, Laura felt compelled to immerse herself in student activities and embrace her role as a PhD student. Laura became an active member of the Natural Resources Institute Postgraduate Society (NRIPS), eventually rising to the position of President for the 2023-2024 academic year. Thus began a transformative journey, leaving a lasting impact on the institution and its community.
Laura's passion for community involvement was ignited long before she joined NRIPS. ‘I like to be a part of the community,’ she explained. ‘I'm not very good at just sitting on the fence and being an onlooker.’ From the beginning, Laura was determined to actively participate in shaping the environment around her. She was keen to explore opportunities for the student body to contribute to creating a warm, inclusive welcome for international students—a task she resolved to undertake.
One of Laura's proudest achievements was bringing visibility and warmth to NRIPS. She spearheaded numerous initiatives to foster a sense of belonging and community spirit. One memorable event was the potluck, where students from various countries prepared traditional dishes and dressed in their cultural attire. ‘People felt seen,’ she recalled with pride. This event, among others, helped break down barriers and create an inclusive atmosphere where every student felt recognised and valued.
The celebration of International Women's Day was another standout moment. Laura organised a roundtable discussion that included both staff and students, offering a platform for shared experiences and mutual understanding. This event underscored her commitment to creating spaces where everyone's voice could be heard and respected.
Leadership, however, comes with its challenges, as each team member has their own perspective, priorities and pace. ‘The major challenge was getting everyone to be in the same place at the same time,’ she shared. Yet, through patience and perseverance, she managed to foster a cohesive team spirit. Her journey also taught her valuable lessons in patience and understanding. Known for her drive and high standards, Laura had to learn to temper her expectations and adapt to the different working styles of her team members. ‘I learned to be more patient,’ she admitted, a lesson that has deeply influenced her leadership style.
As Laura's tenure at NRIPS ends, her gaze turns back to Nigeria, where she has been a dedicated lecturer for over a decade. Enriched by her experiences at NRIPS, she looks forward to continuing her academic career and eventually returning to her home institution. Beyond the classroom, Laura plans to engage in developmental work, particularly in nutrition (medical nutrition therapy) and aspires to collaborate with organisations like UNICEF, WFP and WHO.
Laura's advice to her successor and aspiring student leaders is rooted in her own experiences: be patient, inclusive and find balance. She encourages future leaders to maintain a community spirit always and ensure that all students feel involved and heard. She also emphasises the importance of balancing leadership responsibilities with academic commitments—a challenge she navigated by establishing a structured routine.
Laura's journey as NRIPS President would not have been possible without her supervisors' unwavering support and her team's collaborative efforts. She emphasises that the success of their initiatives was a collective achievement. ‘I was not working alone,’ she noted. Laura’s team members took on significant responsibilities with enthusiasm and dedication. She highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, ‘The positive feedback I’m getting, or commendations, is not solely for me, but for us. Because we did this together.’
As she prepares to pass the baton, Laura reflects on the rewarding moments—those smiles and heartfelt thank-yous from students who felt supported and included. ‘Always try to leave a little sparkle wherever you go,’ she advises. Laura's tenure at NRIPS is a testament to the power of community spirit and dedicated leadership, leaving a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of students and leaders alike.
Meet Laura Utume
Laura is a microbiologist and PhD student at NRI whose research is focused on nutrition (malnutrition), diet and microbes.
‘The purpose of my research is to understand the extent to which therapeutic diets (specifically “ready-to-use-therapeutic-food”, RUTF) impact gut microbiota and the related metabolic pathways that facilitate malnutrition recovery. This understanding will help to enhance the potential contribution of plant-based RUTF to the recovery of children (aged 6 months to 5 years) from malnutrition.’