1. Tell us a little bit about yourself:  Hello everyone! My name is Malachi Miller and I am a junior at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff majoring in Biology Pre-Medicine with a minor in African-American Studies. I hail from the great Kansas City, MO, home of Chiefs Kingdom and Royals Nation! I l enjoy sports, exercising, hanging with close friends, and reading.

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?  My favorite teacher to date would have to be Dr. Joseph Onyilagha, who prefers to be called “Uncle Joe.” Uncle Joe teaches Botany and Microbiology here at the university and has been here around 12 years. He is the kind of professor that will laugh and joke with you all day and still fail you. I believe Uncle Joe is one of the top professors here because he will literally go the extra mile for any of his students. For example, he has an open door policy and gives his personal number out to students if they are ever having a hard time studying material. He also has very extreme and rigorous teaching measures that prepares his students for professional school. Seeing someone put that much time and energy into my education makes it impossible to not realize how important my education should be to me. Uncle Joe really taught me to cherish any educational opportunity that is ever afforded to me.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why? My mom is an RN and my oldest sister is currently studying to get her CRNA, so I kind of been around the medical field for as long as I can remember. But, it hit me my sophomore year of high school went my aunt Vivian had weight-loss surgery. I never really knew much about her because she was hardly ever around. One day, I remember asking my mom why I didn’t really know her and she told me that my aunt was the type of person that stayed to herself but my mom never really knew why though. Then, one Thanksgiving break at my grandmas, I remember her marching in with a huge vibrant smile and a very different orientation. I knew something was different about her but I couldn’t really put my finger on it. Later on that night, at family game night, she told the family bout her undergoing surgery and how she felt it changed her. Hearing that story really did something to me. It was like a switch flipped inside of me. I just remember thinking how amazing it would be to have that much impact on a persons life. My aunt and I have grown very close and I speak to her at least once a week. I always make sure to tell her that her story inspired me.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in?  I am very interested in surgery. Honestly, I am in love with the concept of surgery. The idea of being in a persons body WHILE they are alive is truly stunning and breath taking. I am interested in plastic/reconstructive surgery because I feel this type of surgery has a very large impact on human life.

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey? The coolest experience I have had thus far is this past summer where I interned at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center under the AAMC Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) formerly known as SMDEP. Me and two other students had the opportunity to observe a lumpectomy from beginning to end. We were even able to hold the tumor. I remember the thrill of just being in the OR and watching the physician make his first cut. This solidified my dream/goal to become to a surgeon.

6. What is your favorite book? My favorite book right now would have to be “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” The story of Henrietta Lacks is very depressing and heart felt. But it is also very interesting to see how one woman played a role in changing the face of medicine, a women of color at that.

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.  One interesting thing a lot of people don’t know about me is that I am a naturally blonde African-American. Most people seem to think I died my hair when they first meet me. Its actually from a gene in my family that, unfortunately, I got. I’m sure its been passed down generation from generation but the only proof I have is a picture of my great grandfather who I oddly resemble. I am the only one out of my brothers and sisters to have this feature.

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