User:Schoolbusdriver85/Paul Maliakkal

Summary
Paul George Maliakkal was a first generation Malayalee Indian American Roman Catholic born to parents who immigrated from the state of Kerala in India. He lived in Houston, Texas most of his life where he spent all of his years of education. Paul was a musician, artist, leader, biomedical researcher, and medical student. As a musician, he played the guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, and harmonica, wrote music and studied music theory. As an artist he drew, painted, sculpted, used lithography. As a leader he was president of his high school freshman class and president of his high school National honor society club. As a biomedical researcher he worked for several biology labs and biomedical science labs. As a medical student at Baylor College of Medicine he dedicated himself to his studies. As an artist he produced several drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints.

Education
Paul began his education at Herod Elementary School and Lanier Middle School. Paul attended DeBakey High School for Health Professions where he was salutatorian. Paul graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Rice University. Paul attended Baylor College of Medicine.

Elementary School
Paul attended Gary L. Herod Elementary in Houston, TX between 1992 and 1997. In 1997, when Paul was in 5th grade, he won the school spelling bee. At Herod, Paul enjoyed playing soccer and spending time with friends in the extended day program.

Middle School
Paul attended Sidney Lanier Middle School between 1997 and 2000. Paul was involved in the Lanier debate team. He was also involved in the Breakdance club. At Lanier, Paul learned to breakdance. As a part of a project for History class, Paul and his friend made a video about the Tet Offensive.

High School
Paul attended Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions between 2000 and 2004. In 2001, during his freshman year, Paul was elected class president. In 2003, Paul became a National Merit Finalist by scoring within the top 99.5 percentile in the state of Texas on his PSAT. In the summer of his junior year of high school, Paul participated in an NIH sponsored summer research program during which he performed basic science research on the role of a gene known as BMP-4 on bone formation. He won a national award for his research, as is described in an NIH website. Paul wins national NIH award.. Paul was salutatorian of his high school graduating class. In his senior year he was voted "Most Studious" by his classmates, as shown in his 2004 yearbook. In his senior year at DeBakey, Paul was president of the National Honor Society. Paul was a member of Spanish Honor Society and performed Asturias at one induction ceremony because this song was the introduction song to an educational video series entitled "Zarabanda" which all the Spanish AP students were familiar with. Paul played a lead role in a modern rendition of Beowulf as a part of a project for an English class.

Salutatorian speech
In 2004, during his salutatorian address, and while sharing the stage with Dr. Peter Traber, Paul told his classmates the story of the farmer and a donkey. Paul adapted this story from a Joel Osteen sermon. Long version of Story of the Farmer and the Donkey There once was a farmer who had a donkey. When the donkey fell into a well, the farmer said that the well was now spoiled, so he would bury the donkey in the well. The farmer began to shovel dirt into the well. When the donkey saw that the farmer was ready to bury him, the donkey decided to fight back by shaking the dirt off of his back and stepping up onto the dirt that fell on the floor of the well. As the donkey continued to get covered by dirt, the donkey would shake it off and step up. He advised his graduating classmates that when life gets difficult, you have to shake it off and step up. During the salutatorian speech Paul also quoted Spiderman by telling his friends that, "With great power comes great responsibility." Dr. Peter Traber spoke immediately after Paul and reminded Paul that this quote was in fact adapted from Winston churchill's essay, "The Price of Greatness is Responsibility.

College
Paul attended Rice University between 2004 and 2008. Paul was accepted into the Honors Premedical Academy, which is a combined Bacculaureate/M.D. program with Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. Paul was a member of Jones College at Rice where he lived during his freshman year. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biological Sciences on Mother's day in 2008. In his freshman year at Rice, Paul was a member of the Crew team. Paul took a Brazilian Dance class. Paul played in the Halloween Hoops 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Paul was an active member of the South Asian Student Association at Rice University. He participated in the talent show in 2006 and 2007 and performed in group dances. Paul worked for many different research labs at Rice University. He also worked to develop many websites for various Rice University professors. In addition to his bench top research work, Paul contributed to the biomedical research world by developing a pulomonology case website that would allow doctors at Baylor College of Medicine to share case reports and include chest X rays and histological studies. After taking a botany class at Rice University, Paul became well versed in the fauna of Houston, TX and the Rice University area. He helped those around him understand the beauty of nature by explaining the amazing diversity of botany.

Medical School
Paul attended Baylor College of Medicine in 2008. He enrolled in the Health Policy elective class because he cared about the way medicine is practiced and he wanted to find ways to improve medicine in the US and around the world. After reading Paul Farmer's Pathologies of Power, Paul became more interested in the field of international medicine and explored various ways in which he could help the underserved as a doctor.

Music
Paul Maliakkal is perhaps most well known for his outstanding musical abilities. He was an expert guitarist who began learning in elementary school from his guitar teacher Herb at Dixie's Music in Houston, TX. When Herb stopped teaching at Dixie's, Paul began learning to play guitar from Eric at Dixie's Music. In late high school, Paul began to teach himself how to play the guitar using tabs online and youtube videos. In college Paul learned about music theory in a music class at Rice. He also taught hismelf about guitar fretbord logic by reading various books on the subject. Paul used his guitar skills to play lead guitar in many bands including "Chico and the Roadies" and "The Covers" during high school and "Ooga Booga Deluxe" and "Set on Settling" in college. MySpace Website for Ooga Booga Deluxe. Paul performed alongside David Quiroz, Francis Dimitri, Jailex Echeverria, Ray Loyal, Marisella (Mars) Varella, Arman Jahangiri, Kevin Wilson, and many other friends. Ooga Booga Deluxe performed at The Rooftop Sessions Concert Series on the roof of Oberholtzer Hall in the University of Houston honors quad. Paul played in bands at Fitzgeralds in Houston, TX and entertained large crowds. Paul could also play the piano, harmonica, bass, and drums. He played the guitar and drums during the 2007 South Asian Society talent show. Below is an incomplete list of the songs in Paul's repertoire.

Original Music
Lonely Zergling by Paul Maliakkal and Jeff; You Tube video of Lonely Zergling performed by Paul

Calling Enid by Paul Maliakkal and David Quiroz

Back to Me by Paul Maliakkal and David Quiroz

Recorded Performances
Drive by Incubus You Tube video of Paul playing Drive by Incubus at Pam and Ammama's birthday party at Pappasito's

Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers You Tube video of Paul and Carlos playing their rendition of "Under the Bridge" entitled "Red"

Taylor by Jack Johnson You Tube video of Paul playing guitar and singing Taylor by Jack Johnson

Early Years
Paul learned many of the songs below during his middle school and high school years from his guitar teachers, Herb and Eric.

Christmas in Sarajevo by Trans-Siberian Orchestra You Tube video of Christmas in Sarajevo

House of the Rising Sun by The Animals You Tube video of House of the Rising Sun

Greensleeves by Anonymous You Tube video of Greensleves

Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix You Tube video of Hey Joe

Come As You Are by Nirvana You Tube video of Come As You Are

Dust in the Wind by Kansas You Tube video of Dust in the Wind

Classical Gas by Eric Clapton You Tube video of Classical Gas

Romance Google video of Romance

Asturias by Isaac Albeniz YouTube Video of Asturias

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (Played this at DeBakey High School at a high school graduation program) You Tube video of Good Riddance

What Its Like by Everlast You Tube video of What Its Like

Put Your Lights on by Santana and Everlast You Tube video of Put Your Lights On

Machine Head by Bush You Tube video of Machine Head

Glycerine by Bush You Tube video of Glycerine

The World I Know by Collective Soul You Tube video of The World I Know

Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel You Tube video of Scarborough Fair

El Condor Pasa (I'd Rather Be a Hammer Than a Nail) by Simon and Garfunkel You Tube video of El Condor Pasa

Later Works
Paul learned to play the guitar portions of many of the songs below during high school and college. He taught himself most of these songs.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Music video clip from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys Backstreet Boys Music Video

You are my Sonia from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Music video clip from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers You Tube video of Scar Tissue

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers You Tube video of Californication

Other Side by Red Hot Chili Peppers You Tube music video of Other Side

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton You Tube video of Wonderful Tonight

Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton You Tube video of Tears in Heaven

Let it Be by Beatles You Tube video of Let It Be

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin You Tube video of Stairway to Heaven

Nothing Else Matters by Metallica You Tube video of Nothing Else Matters

Fade To Black by Metallica You Tube video of Fade To Black

Purple Haze by Jimmy Hendrix You Tube video of Purple Haze

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana You Tube video of Smells Like Teen Spirit

Better Together by Jack Johnson You Tube video of Better Together

Upside Down by Jack Johnson You Tube video of Upside Down

With or Without You by U2 as played by Jacques Stotzem at How Paul Played It at Dominic Uncle's house for Christina Aunty's birthday

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison You Tube video of Brown Eyed Girl Paul played this song at Susan's college graduation party.

Island in the Sun by Weezer You Tube video of Island in the Sun Paul played this song at Susan's birthday party.

The Warmth by Incubus You Tube video of The Warmth by Incubus performed live

Balance Beam by Blue October You Tube video of Balance Beam by Blue October performed live

18th Floor Balcony by Blue October You Tube video of 18th Floor Balcony by Blue October

Calling You by Blue October You Tube video of Calling You by Blue October

Green Onions by Booker T and the MG's You Tube video of Green Onions by Booker T and the MG's

Running Away by Hoobastank You Tube video of music video of Running Away by Hoobastank

Just Keep Saying by Ray Loyal

Simple Gesture by Ray Loyal

Unrequited by Ray Loyal

Adam's Song by Blink 182 You Tube video of music video of Adam's Song by Blink 182

Piano
Paul also played the piano. Below is a list of songs Paul could play on the piano.

Don't Stop Believing by Journey You Tube video of Don't Stop Believing by Journey

Musical Influence
Paul read the biography of Jimi Hendrix and incorporated the music of Jimi Hendrix in his artwork. In his lithography class at Rice University, Paul made a print inspired by Hendrix's song "Little Wing", in which a guardian angel watches over Jimi Hendrix. Paul also admired legendary guitarists such as Joe Satriani and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Paul liked to listen to a lot of different music, but he also liked video game music. During the summer of 2008 Paul took his cousins to a video games live concert in Houston where they played a lot of Paul's favorite video game's music.

Poetry
During Paul's college graduation party, he recited the poem entitiled "If" by Rudyard Kipling. He also made a You Tube video inspired by the poem. Paul's Youtube Video featuring the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. When Paul was in elementary school, he memorized the poem "The Village Blacksmith" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Art
Paul was very interested in art. From a very young age he developed drawing skills. In elementary school he won rodeo art contests. In college he took a lithography class at Rice. One print he created was inspired by Jimi Hendrix and his song "Little Wing". He also took drawing classes, where he drew such illustrations as "poker face" and "feelin lucky".

Employment
When Paul was in his junior year of high school, he worked for the NIH at the Texas A and M institute of Biosciences and Technology. He performed basic science genetics research on BMP4 and its role in embryogenesis. He researched this gene using the mouse model. He and his research partner, Adam Gomez, presented their research at the national NIH conference. Paul earned first place in the presentation contest.

Paul worked as an computer and software aide at Rice University.

Paul worked at Old Navy for one summer.

Paul worked at a environmental science lab at Rice University where he performed research on fungi and the response of various fungi to environmental stress.

Paul worked on breast cancer research at the Yi Li lab at Baylor College of Medicine. He contributed to a genetics research project on breast cancer using the mouse model.

Paul worked as a web developer for various professors at Rice University.

Volunteer work
Paul was a volunteer at the Red library, Ben Taub hospital, Texas Children's Hospital

Sports
Paul was very skilled at many sports. He played soccer at Herod, and he was a powerful defender. His defensive prowess took root in his willingness to stand up to most offensive players. One incident during a soccer game involved Paul blocking a free kick. The ball hit his hand and caused his left pinky finger to extend all the way to the dorsal surface of his hand. This finger was disfigured in the incident and was crooked from then on.He also played tennis and was one of the best in his extended family. He participated in a ping pong tournament at Rice University. He participated in 3 on 3 basketball tournaments at Rice University. He was part of the crew team at Rice University where his team won 3rd place in a national rowing competition. Paul loved to play soccer and took a soccer class at Rice University. Paul was also a fan of spectator sports. He was an enthusiastic Texans fan. Once when the Texans were not doing so well, quarterback David Carr pledged to continue to grow his hair until the Texans won two games in a row. Paul made the same pledge and when the Texans won two games in a row, Paul cut his hair. Paul was a rockets fan. He watched as the Houston Rockets won two back to back championships in 1993 and 1994. Paul was an avid camper and enthusiastic amateur lumberjack.

Cars
Paul was very interested in cars since he was very young. His first car was a 1992 Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4 with a twin turbo. In high school installed a stereo system and a turbo timer in the car. He replaced a faulty starter on his own. Other cars he liked include the McLaren. He also enjoyed go karts, mario kart, building model cars, and collecting remote control cars. During his summer after his senior year in college he built a plastic model of a supercharged V8 engine.

Video Gaming
One computer game that he particularly excelled at was Starcraft. Paul was able to defeat 5 computers in Starcraft. You Tube video of Paul playing Starcraft against 5 random computers.

Travel
Paul traveled to Rochester, NY, Dalian, China, Kerala, India, Agra, India, New Delhi, India, Pune, India, Taos, New Mexico, Atlanta Georgia for the 1996 Olympics, tubing down the guadalupe river in New Braunfels, Cruise to Cozumel, Cruise to Cancun, Interview for the combined medical program in Miami, Fl.

Cooking
Paul loved to eat and he loved to cook. He took particular pride in his ability to cook barbecue. He especially enjoyed adding charcoal to functioning gas grills for that shortened cooking time and added char. Paul also enjoyed making pasta and stir fry. Paul loved mango pickle.

Break Dancing
Paul learned how to break dance in middle school and he continued to break dance at various celebrations, including Joe and Mefi's wedding.

You Tube Videos
Below is a list of You Tube videos that Paul enjoyed.

Mr. W

Ali G Show - Science

Pachelbel Rant

Religion
Paul was a member of the Roman Catholic Church since birth. He was a devout and active Christian who put into practice in many of his religious beliefs. He was baptized in Lakewood New Jersey. Paul served as an altar server at St. Albert's Catholic Church and Corpus Christi Catholic church. In 2002, Paul taught sunday school at St. Albert's Catholic Church in Houston, TX. Paul attended St. Albert of Trapani Catholic Church where he was confirmed at the age of 17. Later, he attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He then attended Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Houston, TX. His funeral service was held Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Houston, TX. Father Dana presided over his funeral mass.

Politics
Paul supported Barack Obama in his campaign for United States presidency. In September 2008 Paul and his father flew to Orlando, Florida to volunteer in the Obama campaign. Although Florida was a highly contested state, Paul, Paul's father and the many other campaign supporters helped Barack Obama win the county where Paul volunteered and also win the entire state of Florida.

Early childhood
He was born in Houston, Texas at the Memorial Hospital. When Paul was very young, after he learned his first two words, "Mom" and "Dad", the third word that he learned was "Garbage truck". Even though "garbage truck" is a complex phrase, Paul was able to pronounce it clearly as he looked out of the window of his childhood home to see the "Garbage truck".

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