This summer, we are following grads from the Class of 2015 as they continue their journeys around the corner and across the globe. Ranu Sinniah will start medical school at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine in 2016. For now, he's immersed in research in the working group of Dr. John Schneekloth in the Chemical Biology Laboratory at the National Cancer Institute.
- Name: Ranu Sinniah
- Class: 2015
- Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Major(s): biochemistry
- Next step: NIH-IRTA fellow at the National Cancer Institute
What class at Calvin uniquely prepared you for this position?
The work that I do at the National Cancer Institute mainly revolves around synthetic organic chemistry, which is essentially using organic chemistry techniques to create routes to target compounds, and optimizing the routes as much as possible for your specific needs. As such, my organic chemistry classes taught me the fundamental concepts underlying the synthesis and analytical work I do here, as well as giving me experience and confidence in carrying out experiments.
What's fun about your workplace?
Even though everyone is working on serious chemistry, there’s a pretty light atmosphere and everyone is relaxed and happy. It’s great to work in an environment where everyone truly loves what they are doing.
Who was your favorite professor?
Outside of the hard sciences, definitely Dr. Ruth Groenhout. I took her class “Ethical Dimensions of Health Care” this past semester and I was amazed by both her experience within the field and how great of an educator she is. It was really interesting to see how there are so many shades of grey to what can seem like a black and white issue in Health Care, and Dr. Groenhout managed to succinctly break down each position and concept behind them with ease.
What do you miss most about Calvin?
Definitely the people, I was able to meet so many different types of people from many different places who really made an impact on my life during my time at Calvin. I’ve made some great friendships there that I will always cherish.
A successful path
The success of Calvin grads goes beyond job titles, salaries, graduate degrees and employers as they pursue God's call on their lives. Still, the results are clear: Calvin grads get good jobs at places like Google, Pixar, National Geographic and Boeing, earn higher mid-career salaries than grads from other private colleges in Michigan (according to Payscale.com) and attend some of the best graduate schools in the country.
