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Story contact: Nicholas Childress, CVMMarCom@missouri.edu
Photos by Karen Clifford
At an age when many kids are still learning to tie their shoes, Jessi Miller had already chosen her career path. She was even working toward it.
Miller grew up surrounded by animals on her family’s farm near Barnard, Missouri. By age 5, she was spending summers shadowing her aunt, a veterinarian in Sedalia.
“I have always wanted to be a veterinarian,” Miller said. “It’s been my lifelong dream.”
As Miller got older, she pursued that goal with even greater purpose, seeking experiences across veterinary medicine — from farm animal medicine to small animal and exotic practice, research and diagnostic laboratory work.
“I wanted to dip my toes in as many different areas of veterinary medicine as I could,” she said. “It was important for me to get a feel for all the different paths I could take.”
At the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Miller has continued that exploration, finding the breadth of experiences she wanted while discovering new possibilities for her future.
Diving into research
Now a third-year student in the Mizzou College of Veterinary Medicine, Miller remains eager to experience the breadth of the profession. Along the way, one area has particularly captured her interest: research.
Through the Veterinary Research Scholars Program (VRSP), Miller has been able to dig deeper. A returning participant, she now serves as a senior scholar, advancing her own research while helping mentor newer scholars and support program activities.
Alongside her mentor, Associate Professor Nicole Nichols, PhD, Miller studies how breathing and swallowing can be preserved after the loss of motor neurons associated with neurodegenerative disease.
“Working with Dr. Nichols has been an amazing experience,” Miller said. “She’s helped me grow within the program, but also as a veterinary student. She has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and branch out into the world of research, and I’m grateful for that.”
For Miller, the experience has had an impact beyond the lab, shaping what she hopes to pursue after graduation.
“VRSP has shown me how much I love working in research,” Miller said. “It’s ultimately inspired me to pursue a career with a research aspect following graduation.”
Building her future
Beyond research, Miller has also focused on preparing for the transition from student to veterinarian. As a Heartland Veterinary Partners student ambassador, Miller has connected with veterinarians and students across the country and gained a better understanding of what comes after veterinary school.
“Being an ambassador has allowed me to branch out and meet other students across the country as well as connect with veterinarians in the industry,” she said. “It has helped me understand the resources available to new doctors and feel more confident about what comes after graduation.”
And, true to form, she’s already looking ahead. Miller plans to spend time in general practice before pursuing an anatomical pathology residency and, eventually, a master’s degree or PhD.
Miller came to Mizzou knowing she wanted to be a veterinarian. Through each new experience, she’s gaining a clearer picture of the veterinarian she wants to become.