The Future Isn’t Set in Stone: Stay True to Yourself – A Message from Dr. Jeffrey Millman
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Discover Your Star ! If you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button at the bottom ↓ so you don’t miss our future interviews! We have an exciting lineup ahead, featuring innovators in STEM like Dr. Craig Mello, a 2006 Nobel Prize recipient, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Yes, it’s happening, and we know you won’t want to miss it!
Today, we’re thrilled to share our conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Millman, a leading scientist in stem cell research, whose work is revolutionizing diabetes treatment. His groundbreaking research could eliminate the need for insulin injections, offering a potential cure for Type 1 diabetes through stem cell-based therapy.
We had many questions for Dr. Millman, but we were particularly interested in two things:
1️⃣ How did he find his path to becoming a successful researcher?
2️⃣ How does he stay motivated in such a competitive field?
Curious? We’ve got the answers and are excited to share them with you!
A Quick Intro to Dr. Millman
Imagine a future where Type 1 diabetes patients never have to inject insulin again—where a one-time stem cell transplantation could provide a permanent cure. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it? Dr. Millman is at the forefront of making this a reality.
🎥 Check out this video on his research.
He currently serves as a Professor of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at Washington University School of Medicine.
From Chemistry Class to Cutting-Edge Research
One of our biggest questions was how Dr. Millman discovered his passion for biomedical research. We were lucky to meet him via Zoom and hear about his journey firsthand. His path wasn’t linear—key turning points shaped his career.
In high school, a chemistry teacher sparked his curiosity, leading him to major in chemical engineering. However, his biggest shift came during an undergraduate summer research experience at Johns Hopkins University, where he discovered a passion for biological research and its potential to improve human lives. That experience eventually led him to a career in biomedical research.
Dr. Millman emphasized that career paths are not set in stone. We shared our own worries with him—what if we pick the wrong major? Would four years of college be wasted? He reassured us, pointing to his own journey, that college majors don’t necessarily determine our future. Interests evolve over time—and that’s completely normal!
💡 His key advice? Follow what excites you, rather than what seems most prestigious or financially rewarding. Passion should be your guide.
The Moment That Changed Everything
How does Dr. Millman stay motivated? What drives him to keep pushing forward? We asked him these questions, and he shared a defining moment in his career.
During his postdoctoral work in Dr. Doug Melton’s lab at Harvard, he spent two years facing failed experiments while trying to develop insulin-producing cells. The process was frustrating and discouraging. But one day, he finally saw blue-colored cells in a petri dish—a sign of success! The stem cells had transformed into insulin-producing cells.
As he recalled this moment, his voice was strong and vibrant, clearly showing how significant it was to him. That was the breakthrough that cemented his career path.
Listening to him, we realized that we’re all searching for our own defining moments—that spark when curiosity turns into conviction. It’s moments like these that drive scientists like Dr. Millman to keep pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Creativity, AI, and the Future of Science
Thinking about the future can feel overwhelming—especially with the rapid advancements in AI. After hearing about Dr. Millman’s passion for his research, we asked for his thoughts on how AI might impact medical science. His response was both insightful and reassuring.
While AI is a powerful tool, he emphasized that creativity and human intuition will remain irreplaceable. AI and big data have been revolutionizing medical research, but science isn’t just about analyzing data—it’s also about asking the right questions, exploring new ideas, and uncovering the unknown.
Dr. Millman understood our concerns about an uncertain future shaped by AI and other technological advancements. However, he encouraged us not to stress about choosing the “perfect” field. Instead, he advised us to focus on solving meaningful problems—because the most exciting innovations come from tackling challenges that truly matter.
Passion Will Lead the Way
Our conversation with Dr. Millman reinforced a lesson we’ve heard from other scientists, like Dr. Eric Leuthardt and Dr. Samagya Banskota. They all emphasize that success isn’t just about luck or talent—it’s about persistence, curiosity, and trusting the process.
Dr. Millman repeatedly emphasized that our interests are not fixed but continue to evolve. What excites us today may change in college and beyond—and that’s completely okay. The key is to keep exploring with an open mind and follow what genuinely excites you, rather than what seems most prestigious or financially promising.
🔹 Most importantly, he encouraged us to listen to our internal compass.
🔹 Passion fuels perseverance, even through challenges.
🔹 And in the end, it’s passion that leads to the most meaningful discoveries.
After the interview, we felt even more determined to continue our journeys in search of our own defining moments of discovery. We hope this conversation inspires you to do the same!
Exciting Interviews Coming Up!
Thank you for reading to the end! As we mentioned at the start of this post, we recently interviewed Dr. Craig Mello, a Nobel Prize recipient, and Sam Altman of OpenAI—both of which will be featured soon. But that’s not all!
More upcoming interviews include:
💡 Sam Altman – OpenAI (a leading figure in the AI boom)
🏅 Dr. Craig Mello – University of Massachusetts Medical School (2006 Nobel Prize recipient for the discovery of RNA interference)
🧬 Dr. Rudolph Leibel – Columbia University (co-discoverer of the obesity gene)
🔬 Dr. Samantha Morris – Harvard University (leading developmental biologist)
So stay tuned for more inspiring conversations!
Talk to you soon,
Thomas & Craig
