People

Dr. Ram Bahadur Khadka received BS in agriculture in 2007 and MS in agriculture with Plant Pathology from Tribhuvan University, Institute of Agricultural and Animal Sciences, Rampur in 2009. He was very active in student life being a founder President of Agricultural Student Liaison Forum (ASLF) and Nepal Agricultural Students Association (NASA). He also served as a President for Farmers' Institute for Participatory Research and Development (FIPRED), Rampur Unit. Later he joined the EU-funded Food Security Project in Far-Western Nepal. Under this project, Ram worked with farmers in the introduction of both SRI and SWI methods in the Far West. This initiative included the first systematic evaluation and demonstration of SWI in the country. He is being hired as a Research Scientist by the Nepal Agricultural Research Council in 2012, where he is posted to its regional station in Khajura (Banke district), where he researches related to plant pathogen discovery and management. 

Four years later, he took a sabbatical from the Research Council to do a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at The Ohio State University - Department of Plant Pathology and completed in 2021. During PhD he received two very prestigious grants including United States Department of Agriculture- North Central Regional Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (USDA-NC-SARE) Graduate Student Grant and Storkan-Hanes-McCaslin Foundation Award. He was also fellow for prestigious U.S. Borlaug Summer Institute for Food Security Student Delegate for 2018 and OSU (Ohio State University)- Presidential Fellowship for 2019. He was awarded 2020-CC ALLISON AWARD by OSU - Department of Plant Pathology in recognition of high achievement in research and service to the Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University. Dr. Khadka resumed his work in NARC in 2021 at National Plant Pathology Research Center, Kathmandu. Dr. Khadka will continue to work on beneficial microbes and their potential application in the suppression of a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants including in SRI using a metagenomic approach. Ram contributed to a video on System of Rice Intensification  in Nepal produced by Flooded Cellar Productions in 2013 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BUgc9x_wOA&t=3s) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9neQbC7cko&t=3s)  and a popular program Akhinjhyal ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUqEkEjd0OI) produced by Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalist in 2011. In 2022, he has also been featured in a video produced by SRI-2030 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NErpT2KOzUE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvmMokh5HHA). 

Recently, I joined NARC -National Plant Pathology Research Center (NPPRC), Khumaltar as intern under Dr. Ram Bahadur Khadka. I have always been fascinated by the field of plant pathology and am thrilled to have the opportunity to gain hands – on experience in a molecular laboratory setting. My passion for pathology is what motivates me to work in this field. Here, I got chance to learn and uplift my skills in using laboratory equipment, culture preparation, DNA extraction procedure using PCR, PCR clean-up and Gel Electrophoresis as well as in green house research mainly on soil-borne pathogens.

I am excited to work with the pathology lab team and learn from their expertise.

Email: barshapoudel2056@gmail.com

It's the beauty of how effectively science works in understanding nature and manipulating it for our needs that has got me obsessed with it. It has been a long time since I have realized that no matter how strong we are on scientific principles, concepts and understanding, it won't materialize unless and until we develop some ideas out of it, design experiments, execute them, and come up with conclusions or intuitions that can contribute to the wellbeing of any of the aspects of the area of study. So, it was a rare fortune for me to get an opportunity to work in the National Plant Pathology Research Centre under the supervision of Dr. Ram Khadka. I am confident that this opportunity will be a great milestone for me to grow myself as a potent researcher in the field of molecular phytopathology. Owing to the presence of a vibrant learning atmosphere in the NARC-Molecular Plant Pathology Lab, it is high time for me to enhance my lab skills, broaden the horizon of my knowledge, be more of a critical and creative thinker and get more crazier with science.

Email: jesisojha@gmail.com 

Himani Chand is a recent graduate of the agriculture program at IAAS Paklihawa, Tribhuvan University, class of 2022. She joined the lab in May 2023. Since her undergraduate curriculum primarily centered around hands-on projects in the field, she became desperate to learn laboratory skills. This realization led her to join as a Research Intern at NARC-Molecular Plant Pathology Lab, where she could enhance her lab proficiency in addition to her fascination with the realm of microbiology and biotechnology. She is dedicated to improving her lab skills and has gained proficiency in PCR, Gel electrophoresis, and the extraction of DNA/RNA from various sources like bacteria, viruses, fungi (mushrooms), and nematodes. Additionally, she is well-acquainted with laboratory protocols. Also, she is confident that she can be a valuable asset in future endeavors. Currently, she is enthusiastically engaged in several lab initiatives, including the MARPLE project focused on wheat yellow rust pathotyping, an examination of Panama wilt affecting bananas in Nepal, especially with the discovery of the TR4 isolate in Kailali district, one of the most devastating isolates for global banana industries in Nepal for the first time. Similarly, she is involved in developing sustainable tools for Panama wilt management in Nepal. 

During her leisure time, she enjoys refining her digital design skills using Canva, expanding her proficiency in MS packages, and pursuing supplementary online studies. She also actively participates in various organizations as an advocate for climate change and sustainable agriculture. She also loves spending time alone in nature while being accommodated with soothing music.

You can reach out to Himani through my email at himanichand549@gmail.com.

Ishwor completed a BS Degree in Horticulture from Tribhuvan University Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus Ilam in 2022. He is originally from Rupandehi. During his time studying bachelor's degree in agriculture, he found the challenges that farmers commonly encounter because of disease havoc on crops consistently drawing him to the subject of plant pathology, immediately after completing his bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) in 2022. He is passionate about laboratory work related to pathogen isolation, culture, pathogenic tests, and PCR. Currently, he is leading research on determining the self-life of biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma and Bacillus spp in different solid and liquid substrate media. Currently, he is also actively involved in Rapid Point-of-care Diagnostic for Wheat Rust (MARPLE), a study on Panama wilt of Banana in Nepal, and evaluation of different anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD). 

In his leisure time, he likes to meet friends and family, travel to new places, ride a bike, and watch movies.

Email; adhikairishwar01@gmail.com

Shristi Siwakoti is a graduate student with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science from Nepal's Agriculture and Forestry University. She joined the lab in June 2023. Within the lab, her responsibilities include various laboratory tasks such as extracting DNA/RNA from diverse microorganisms, conducting PCR and gel Electrophoresis, and conducting research on the management of soilborne diseases in greenhouse and field settings. Shristi's academic journey has been fueled by her profound passion for plant pathology, which stems from her fascination with the intricate interplay between plants, pathogens, and the environment. Her special interest lies in the utilization of biocontrol agents like Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp. to facilitate sustainable and eco-friendly pest management while also enhancing healthier crop growth. Beyond her academic pursuits, Shristi finds joy in exploring new places, nurturing gardens, engaging with her community, and volunteering.

Jyoti Adhikari is an agricultural graduate student from Nepal Polytechnic Institute, under Purbanchal University from the 2022 class year. Due to her interest in exploring more of the root causes of farmers' problems, she got to know that most of the production loss caused by diseases. With the aim of solving this issue, she began working on phytopathological aspects even in college by indulging in the factors of damping off in cabbage. She knew that this was not enough for her to help farmers and needed to possess more profound ideas on the molecular world of pathogens as well, that's why she joined the molecular lab of NPPRC, NARC under the supervision of Dr. Ram Khadka where she gained the upper hand on lab skills of DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, Gel electrophoresis, etc. Similarly, she is also confident in working with lab chemicals and tools under safety protocols.

Currently, she is also working on the lab's major projects like the TR4 strain of Fusarium in banana, ASD trials in banana and tomato, and so on. During her free time, she loves watching movies, and sports.

Biju Adhikari, is an agriculture gradute from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan. In August 2023, she began working as a research intern at the National Plant Pathology Research Centre, working under the supervision of Dr. Ram Bahadur Khadka with the main motive of gaining practical knowledge in the area of plant pathology. She is interested in learning molecular tools to detect and characterize pathogens. Apart from this, she loves traveling, listening to music, painting, and reading novels during her leisure time.

She can be reached through email at biju.adhikari13@gmail.com  

Prashamsa Bhusal is a 2022 Agriculture Graduate from the Tribhuvan University- Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa Campus, Bhairahawa. Being raised in an agrarian family while encountering huge crop losses due to pathogens, and the urge to solve major issues for farmers she decided to dive into the field of phytopathology. Due to her eager interest in plant pathology, she started learning about pathogens in her undergraduate days. Later on, to emphasize her skills in molecular aspects she joined the National Plant Pathology Research Center (NPPRC) under the supervision of Dr. Ram Bahadur Khadka. She is extremely excited to learn various laboratory activities which include DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, biocontrol agents, and greenhouse experiments. Additionally, she is excited to learn from farmers through exchange programs including various problems mainly related to soil-borne diseases. She believes this chance will obviously put her knowledge and lab skills into practice helping to reach her full potential. She loves reading books, making stone art, watching documentaries, and enjoys hiking during her leisure time. 

Contact Prashamsa by email: bhusalprashu2055@gmail.com

Anugya Bhattarai graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Nepal. She worked on Fusarium dry rot (FDR) potato for her thesis as an undergrad at the National Potato Research Program at Khumaltar before joining this lab. Working with FDR sparked her interest, particularly in the world of plant pathology and integrated crop disease management systems. Working on this particular project also provided her with a strong theoretical foundation in plant pathology and ignited an interest in unraveling the mysteries of plant diseases at a molecular level. Anugya is currently working on phenotypic characterization of Phytophthora infestans isolates from across the country particularly focusing on fungicide resistance. She can be reached at anugyabhattarai2000@gmail.com

Sanjog Kadel is a dedicated individual with a strong passion for plant pathology and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to this field. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Dolphin PG Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences (DIBNS) Dehradun, India. While Sanjog may not have prior professional experience, his enthusiasm, and willingness to learn are evident in his decision to embark on a research journey. Currently, Sanjog is gaining valuable insights into plant pathology’s laboratory skills, greenhouse, microscopy, and fieldwork.

Sanjog aspires to become a knowledgeable and influential figure in the realm of plant pathology, dedicated to safeguarding the health of plants and promoting sustainable agriculture. His journey is just beginning, and he looks forward to contributing to this critical scientific field in the years to come.

Email: sanjog.kadel7@gmail.com

Born and raised in a small agricultural town, Sujan's connection to plants and nature was established early in life. Sujan completed his Bachelor's Degree from Prithu Technical College (IAAS, TU) in 2022. To further hone his skills, he joined the lab in October 2023. To identify and tend to various plant diseases this fascinating experience of working in this lab will give him an upper hand in the future. He is determined and optimistic about learning and working in this field.

In his leisure time, he likes to meet friends, lends an ear to music, sing, and go on small rides.

Email: Sujn sujnmhrsn@gmail.com