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). 

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.

Shristi Gairhe is a dedicated individual, having graduated from the Campus of Live Sciences (IAAS, TU), Tulsipur Dang in 2023. Her academic journey was complemented by undergraduate research in seed pathology conducted at Nepal Plant Disease and Agro Associates (NPDA). Driven by a genuine passion for understanding plant-pathogen interactions, she has consistently demonstrated a keen interest in advancing her knowledge and skills in the field of plant pathology. This led her to actively seek opportunities to broaden her expertise, which includes joining NPPRC focused on molecular tools for pathogen detection and characterization. Currently, she is engaged in research aimed at phenotypic characterization of Phytophthora infestans isolates, with a particular emphasis on fungicide resistance and management of soilborne diseases in both greenhouse and field settings through ASD trials. 

She can be reached at shristigairhe01@gmail.com. 

Kusum Timilsaina is an undergraduate student of Far Western University, School of Agriculture. She has had a keen interest in plant pathology since the early semesters of college.  So, to hone her laboratory skills, she joined the National Plant Pathology Research Centre. She is working as an undergraduate intern under Dr. Ram B. Khadka for her Thesis. She is involved in various activities including Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation (ASD) trial, MARPLE project, DNA extraction, and PCR. Currently, she completed her thesis research on the management of Charcoal Rot of Soybean through chemical and bio-control agents. Besides academic pursuits, she loves to do yoga, play basketball, and visit new places. 

She can be reached by mail at kusum.timilsina.25@gmail.com 

Bishrant Pant graduated with a B.Sc. in Agriculture, from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Nepal. Before joining this lab, he worked on the Root-knot nematode (RKN) of tomato for his undergrad thesis at Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project and Lab work at Nepal Plant Disease and Agro Associates. This research helped him strengthen his understanding of the fundamentals of crop diseases and sustainable disease management. On the other hand, it also brought him in contact with diverse challenges (disease, pests, and climate change) faced by farmers, which deepened his desire for plant pathology at the molecular level. He has also worked as a Technology Extension Executive at Muktinath Krishi Company. He is interested in studying the mechanisms underlying the interaction between plant pathogens and host plants by exploring the genetic regions that develop resistance in plants. He is passionate about conducting research that has practical applications and addresses real-world challenges. 

Bishrant is currently screening rootstock of various Solanaceous crops against RKN particularly focusing on the presence of Mi introgressed gene and Disease severity. He is also involved in understanding the virulence of different fungal pathogens considering their genetic diversity and suppressing them through the application of native Trichoderma isolates.

He can be reached at pantbishrant16@gmail.com

Bibek Kumar Sah graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Since my undergraduate studies, I have been interested in phytopathology and have wanted to study in an environment where data-enabled, team-based research that translates complex data into actionable management practices plays a vital role. After graduation, I got the opportunity to work in the molecular lab of plant pathology at NARC under the supervision of Dr. Ram Bahadur Khadka, where I participated in various projects. I believe that this opportunity will not make me regret joining the lab and will prove to be a milestone in developing my expertise, confidence, and leadership abilities in the future.

Email: sahbibek430@gmail.com

Saman Bhattarai holds a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. With an academic foundation rooted in microbiology, specifically bacteriology, his experience gradually expanded into molecular microbiology after engaging in research at the National Plant Pathology Research Center (NPPRC), Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), under the mentorship of Dr. Ram B. Khadka. His current areas of interest are molecular pathogenesis and molecular cell biology, with a focus on the detailed processes of host-pathogen interactions that can be uncovered by genomic methods. Saman is interested in learning how molecular responses are controlled during disease processes, therefore he wishes to combine his background in microbiology with practical knowledge in molecular procedures - DNA extraction, PCR, and whole genome sequencing. He hopes to use this multidisciplinary approach to investigate immunological responses, genetic resistance, microbial pathogenicity, and genomics, especially as they relate to human health and emerging infectious diseases.  His ultimate objective is to conducting genomics-driven research that tackles practical biological problems.

Email: bhattaraisaman3@gmail.com