Student Profile – Tristan Myers ’14

Hometown: Springdale, Ark.
Undergraduate major/university:  B.A. History & International Relations/ University of Arkansas Fayetteville  & Master’s Degree in International Affairs/Texas A&M

Background & Reason for Choosing Pharmacy as a Career Path
I did my undergraduate coursework at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where I studied History and International Relations. During that time I took a two-year break from school to serve as a missionary in the Philippines. I pursued graduate studies at Texas A&M University in International Affairs with an emphasis on national security and East Asian affairs. While I enjoyed my studies there I still didn’t feel like I had found exactly what I wanted to do.

That was when I discovered pharmacy and decided that it was exactly what I was looking for. I spent another year of school finishing prerequisites. I knew pharmacy was the right career path for me because it satisfies my intellectual curiosity while providing a breadth of practice opportunities.  As a pharmacist,  I can have a direct impact on the quality of life of my patients. My family has been with me along this journey. I met my wife in Fayetteville when we were undergrads. We married in 2005 and have three children: Zella, 6, Harper, 4, and Beckett, 1.

Choosing UAMS
UAMS offers a great education at a great value. I didn’t apply to any other pharmacy school because I knew that I only wanted to go to UAMS. One great opportunity I have had as a student was receiving a research fellowship during the summer between my first and second year. As part of the project, I was able to present a research poster at the AACP (American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy) annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Our research was later published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. I have also received the State of Arkansas scholarship for the past two years.