I, Kamal Singh, Ph.D., am Principal Investigator and Director of the Molecular Interactions Core at the University of Missouri, Columbia. I am a researcher with a deep interest in virology, enzyme kinetics, and structure-based drug discovery. My professional journey started with a strong foundation in biophysics and biochemical enzymology, which was shaped during my postdoctoral training at UMD-New Jersey Medical School (now a part of Rutgers University). My postdoctoral research resolved critical questions pertaining to kinetics, substrate recognition, strand displacement synthesis, and active-site coordination of DNA polymerases. These formative experiences allowed me to build a career centered on understanding the molecular mechanisms of genome replication in viruses, bacteria, parasites, and cancer cells. I have published ~150 articles in peer-reviewed journals. We use transient- and steady-state kinetics, microscale thermophoresis (MST), isothermal calorimetry (ITC), fluorescence anisotropy, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism, fluorescence anisotropy measurements together with molecular modeling tools for studying the structure-function relationship of proteins/enzymes, and protein/protein or protein/ligand interactions. Towards drug discovery, my lab has contributed to seven US patents, three of which have been licensed. In addition to studying the basic functioning of enzymes/proteins, my lab also studies the mechanisms of drug resistance and susceptibility of antivirals. Using structure-based drug design, we showed that the inhibitors remdesivir and favipiravir to treat COVID-19 and targeted at SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 (RNA polymerase), have limitations. Among my most notable accomplishments are (i) the discovery of a first-in-class HIV-1 capsid inhibitor and (ii) SARS-coronavirus entry inhibitors. Both classes of inhibitors have been licensed. Currently, my lab is engaged in the drug discovery of antivirals targeting Mpox and the DNA polymerase I class of enzymes. At least, there are two small-molecule inhibitors under evaluation for patent protection and potential clinical application. We also discovered inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast DNA polymerase, including one FDA-approved drug with promise against malaria in resource-limited settings and our service members. My hobbies include playing tennis and carpentry.