Awards and Recognition Committee (2022-2024)
Chair
Uma Karki, PhD
Professor & State Extension Livestock Specialist, Tuskegee University
Dr. Uma Karki is a Professor of Animal Science and State Extension Livestock Specialist at the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. Dr. Karki got her PhD in Forage and Grazing Land Ecology from Auburn University, Master's degree in Animal Science from the University of Western Australia, Australia, and Bachelor’s degrees in Animal Science and Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Dr. Karki's current research and Extension work focus on promoting the sustainable livestock production system with special concentrations on 1) sustainable year-round forage production and grazing/browsing management, 2) integrated approach for preventing diseases and parasites in small ruminants, and 3) sustainable agroforestry systems to promote efficient land management and diversified income opportunities for farmers and landowners. She has presented many research and extension papers in numerous national, international, and local conferences, meetings, and training events. Her research and extension work are published in various journals, conference proceedings, newsletters, training handbooks, research highlights, magazines, and many other outlets. She has solely edited two training handbooks and authored seven chapters in those handbooks. She served in the editorial board of NAPA book project and has been serving as an editor of the Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences (GJAAS). She is a life member of NAPA, member of American Society of Animal Science, life member and current president of the Association for Temperate Agroforestry (AFTA), vice chair of 1890 Agroforestry Consortium, and a member of several other professional organizations and honor societies. She has received Agroforestry Early Career Award (AFTA 2017), 1890 Excellence in Extension Award (Association of Extension Administrators, 2015), and Outstanding Faculty Performance Award for Service (Tuskegee University, 2013).
Members
Nanda P Joshi, PhD
Associate Professor (Emeritus), Michigan State University
Dr. Nanda P Joshi is an Associate Professor (Emeritus) in the Department of Animal Science (ANS), College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Michigan State University (MSU). His research interest is in animal agriculture and its impact in livelihoods of small farmers globally. He led the International Program for College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU jointly with Department of Animal Science, MSU. He recently (Jan1, 2022) took retirement from MSU. However, he is engaged in MSU International programs on contract basis. During his tenure at MSU, he led MSU food Safety program, taught courses in comprehensive Nutrient Management Program, International Animal Agriculture at the Department and “Dairy Production Medicine Program specially designed for Japanese Veterinarians” at CVM. He served as the thematic leader in Animal Agriculture for the South Asia Partnership Initiative of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He received several USAID and USDA grants. Prior to joining, Michigan State University, he was a Professor of Animal Nutrition at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (under Tribhuvan University, Nepal). He spent several years at the IAAS at various academic and administrative positions. He spent a year a year at NARC as a subject matter advisor to Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) under USAID/ATS project in Nepal. He also served as the Scientific Research Coordinator for the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Project under the Department of Wildlife Conservation, GON/Nepal. He completed projects in Nepal and Tajikistan on improving livestock production systems by improving feeding strategies.
Aditya Khanal, PhD
Associate Professor,Tennessee State University
Dr. Aditya R. Khanal is an agricultural and applied economist, currently working as an associate professor in the College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University. He has a PhD in agricultural economics and MS in finance from Louisiana State University. Prior to coming to U.S. for higher studies, he received his B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from IAAS of Tribhuvan University, Nepal and worked as a socio-economist in a non-government organization, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), Nepal. Dr. Khanal's area of expertise include agricultural economics, finance, agribusiness, food security and safety, productivity and efficiency, and economic development in developed and developing countries. In his current role in the University, he is engaged in research, student advisement, and teaching activities. Khanal was born in Gulmi District of Nepal and raised in Gulmi and Rupandehi districts of Nepal. NAPA Engagement/Involvement Member (since 2017); Life Member (since 2018); Featured NAPA Member (Agri-Connection, vol. 4, issue 2, 2019); Member, Scientific and Proceedings Committee, NAPA 2nd Biennial International Scientific Conference, 2020; Outstanding Volunteer and Chair of student competition session, NAPA 2nd Biennial International Scientific Conference, 2020; Member, Research and Capacity Building Committee (2018-2020, 2020-2022); Member, Executive Committee (2020-2022); Chair and moderator of student oral session, NAPA 3 rd Biennial Conference, 2022, Atlanta; NAPA endowment fund advisory board member (2020- current)