Kannikar received her Bachelor of Architecture from Silapakorn University in Bangkok Thailand in 1992 and a Master of Architecture at the University of Houston in 1995. Kannikar's early experience includes high end condominiums and beach resorts. After receiveing her Master's degree Kannikar returned to Bangkok for three years to teach Architecture at King Monkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi. In 1999 she acquired a position at nationally renowned Kieran Timberlake Associates LLP in Philadelphia. Kannikar participated in the design of various building types including: dormitory complexes, classroom buildings, and student centers at Princeton, Yale, Cornell, and Duke Universities. She is licensed in Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Thailand.