Kumar 
Sinniah, Ph.D.
Professor
Email: ksinniah@calvin.edu
Office: 225 DeVries Hall
Phone: (616)526-
6058
Fax: (616)526-
6501
Weekly Schedule
(Calvin Portal login required)
Education
B.Sc. University of Colombo, Sri-Lanka Chemistry (First-class honors), 1984
- Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, Physical Chemistry, 1991.
Thesis: Laser induced thermal desorption of molecules from surfaces
Thesis Advisor: Professor Kenneth C. Janda and Professor John T. Yates, Jr.
Professional History
- Calvin College, 1995-present, Professor of Chemistry
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor , 2008-2009, Visiting Professor
- University of Cambridge, UK, 2001-2002 , Visiting Professor, Department of Chemistry
- University of Maryland , 1998 Summer, Visiting Scientist, Department of Chemistry
- University of Maryland and NIST, 1996 Summer, Visiting Scientist, Department of Chemistry
- University of Maryland at College Park, 1992–1995, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Courses
- Chem 103 & 103L: General Chemistry I & General Chemistry I Laboratory
- Chem 104 & 104L: General Chemistry II & General Chemistry II Laboratory
- Chem 115: Chemistry for the Health Sciences
- Chem 201 & 201L: Analytical Chemistry & Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
- Chem 329 & 329L: Advanced Instrumentation for Biological and Chemical Sciences & Laboratory
- Interim: Flavors & Fragrances
- Interim: Censorship in Cinema
- Interim: Scanning Probe Microscopy
- Interim: Sight, Sounds & Smell
- Interim: Water Analysis in West Michigan Rivers and Lakes
Research Interests
The focus of my research group is on single molecule analysis of biomolecular interactions by atomic force microscopy methods. Single molecule analysis provides a unique insight into biological processes that cannot be obtained by conventional methods that provides average measurements from an ensemble of molecules. In our research group, we use single molecule force spectroscopy to study the biophysical interactions between enzymes and inhibitors, and in DNA molecules.
