Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA)

President

Uma Karki, PhD

Professor & State Extension Livestock Specialist, Tuskegee University, AL, USA

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).

Vice-President

Santosh Dhakal, PhD

Assistant Professor, Kansas State University, KS, USA

Santosh Dhakal completed B.V.Sc.&A.H. (2011) from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and PhD (2018) from The Ohio State University, Ohio, USA. He is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. His research interests include virology, infectious diseases, vaccine development, immunology, and one-health. Dr. Dhakal is a NAPA life member. He served as the Treasurer of the NAPA executive committee (2020-2022), secretary for the 2nd NAPA Biennial International Scientific Conference (2020), and chair of outreach, advertising, and marketing during the 4th NAPA Biennial Scientific Conference (2024).  

General Secretary

Sanjok Poudel, PhD

Assistant Professor and Livestock Extension Specialist, North Carolina A&T State University, NC, USA

Dr. Poudel is a Assistant Professor and Livestock Extension Specialist at North Carolina A & T State University. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agriculture Science from IAAS, Tribhuvan University, Nepal before completing his MS in Animal and Poultry Science from Tuskegee University, Alabama. Subsequently, he pursued his doctorate in Crop and Soil Environmental Science at Virginia Tech, Virginia. His broad research interests include understanding soil-plant-animal interactions in forage-livestock production systems, sustainable forage/livestock production, and agroforestry systems. Dr. Poudel has presented numerous research and extension papers at national, international, and local conferences, meetings, and training events. He has published over a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles on the use of forages in animal production and sustainable grazing management. His expertise in the field has been acknowledged through several awards, notably the 2023 American Forage and Grassland Council Emerging Scientist Award and the 2022 Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) Gerald O. Mott Award.

Joint Secretary

Buddhi Achhami, PhD

Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis, CA, USA

Dr. Achhami grew up in Gorkha, Nepal, and is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of California, Davis. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science in Nepal, a master’s degree from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and a PhD in ecology and environmental science from Montana State University, Montana. As an entomologist, he is interested in integrated pest management. His research mostly focused on insect-plant interactions, pest behavior, life tables, and insecticide efficacy. He has published 13 peer-reviewed journal articles and delivered a similar number of presentations on these topics. Also, he started his professional career as an entomologist at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council. Additionally, he has been an active member of NAPA since 2016, contributing to the organization as part of the membership drive committee.

Treasurer

Sita Thapa, PhD

Research Scientist, Crop Protection Nematology, Corteva Agriscience, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Dr. Sita Thapa is currently working for Corteva Agriscience at Indianapolis headquarter as a Research Investigator. As a biologist, her role at Corteva is split between discovery and development. In discovery she is leading the screening cascade of chemistries at the initial phase of the pipeline against several species of nematodes. However, for the development role she supports the chemistry at the development phase towards the end of the pipeline and nematicides launched in the market. She has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from HICAST Nepal, she graduated as a gold medalist. She was honored from ex-President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav for scoring highest scored among the girls during the last year of undergraduate in 2009.  After graduation she worked almost a year for FORWARD, Nepal. Then she moved to US for her master’s study. She did her masters and PhD from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Her PhD project was funded by fellowship called Schlumberger Foundation, Faculty for the Future program. After completing her PhD, she moved to Michigan State University as a Postdoc and learned applied research to diversify her basic research expertise from her Graduate school. She has published several peer-revied articles in reputed journal with high impact factors. She was an editor for NAPA’s newsletter for over a year and NAPA’s life member. Beside NAPA, she is a member of Society of Nematologist from 2015, She is an active member participating and presenting every year in the conferences.  Besides work, she enjoys gardening, movies, and spending time with her family. She lives in Westfield Indiana with her husband and daughter.

Members

Keshav Bhattarai, PhD

Department of Physical Sciences. University of Central Missouri, MO, USA

Dr. Keshav Bhattarai is a Professor of Geography at the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Bhattarai has more than twenty years of teaching experience in the US, and fifteen years of professional experiences in forestry sector of the Government of Nepal. He was also a visiting faculty at the Forestry Institute in Nepal and a Fulbright Scholar at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. He served as a Department Chair at the Department of Geography at the University of Central Missouri. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geography from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, and a Masters in Natural Resource Management degree from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Prior to that he received AIFC degree from Indian Forest College, Dehradun, India. Keshav has baccalaureate degrees in Biology, Economics, and Law from Tribhuvan University. He also obtained a diploma in Aeronautical Radio Engineering from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Dr. Bhattarai teaches geospatial technology, economic geography, and contemporary geopolitical courses at the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Bhattarai has published four books and numerous book chapters and journal articles. He has received several scholarly, research excellence, and international scholar awards.

Bharat Shrestha, PhD

Biology Study Lead, Soil Health and Fertility Development at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Dr. Bharat Shrestha is the Biology Study Lead for the Soil Health and Fertility Development Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Beaverlodge Research Station, Alberta. Originally from Ashrang, Gorkha, Nepal, he earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in 2007 and moved to Canada in 2008 as a postdoctoral researcher. His work focuses on soil health, soil carbon dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change mitigation, and he currently co-leads the Peace Region Living Lab. A life member of the Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of the Americas (NAPA) since 2020, Dr. Shrestha has made notable contributions through scientific, editorial, and organizational activities. He has edited NAPA’s literary publication Krishika Suseliharu since 2022, served on several committees, reviewed mini-grant proposals and conference abstracts, and contributed reviewing articles to Agri-Connection. He also chaired the 2022 Agri-Poem Competition and presented at NAPA’s biennial conferences. Beyond NAPA, he is actively involved in professional, literary, and community organizations across Canada, the United States, and Nepal.

Pabitra Aryal, PhD

Soil Scientist, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Dr. Pabitra Aryal is a Soil Scientist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Soil and Water, where she supports sustainable agricultural land management through applied soil science and environmental stewardship. She earned her Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Sciences from Virginia Tech, focusing on site assessment and production techniques for ramps (Allium tricoccum) in Appalachia. Her research has been widely presented and published. She previously served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Virginia Tech. A Lifetime Member of the Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA) since 2024, Dr. Aryal actively contributes to the organization as Chair of the Women in Agricultural and Allied Professions (WAAP) Committee and Assistant Editor of the Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences (GJAAS). Her diverse experience spans environmental monitoring, GIS training, wetland delineation, and soil science, reflecting her commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and fostering global professional collaboration.

Madhav Dhakal, PhD

Assistant Research Professor, Mississippi State University

Dr. Madhav Dhakal is an Assistant Research Professor at Mississippi State University. He earned his BSc and MSc degrees from IAAS, Tribhuvan University, and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. His work focuses on soil-plant-water relations, crop evapotranspiration, energy fluxes in agro-ecosystems, water quality, and regenerative organic practices. Dr. Dhakal’s research advances understanding of how soil processes regulate crop water budget and resilience of agricultural landscapes, with the goal of improving soil and environmental quality. He was awarded with a George Tereshkovich Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate Award 2020. Recently, Dr. Dhakal’s dedication in soil and water conservation research has been honored by Soil and Water Conservation Society with a prestigious national award, “Conservation Research Award 2025”. Previously, Dr. Dhakal served as a PI and co-PI of USDA-funded projects in cover cropping and soil health. He has been a life member of NAPA since 2020.

Dr. Suraj Upadyay

Assistant Professor, Kentucky State University

Dr. Suraj Upadhaya is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Systems at Kentucky State University, where his research and teaching focus on the relationships among people, natural resources, institutions, and environmental change. His research broadly examines sustainability and resilience in social-ecological systems, with particular emphasis on natural resource management, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, food–water–energy systems, sustainable agriculture, and community-engaged conservation. His work integrates social science, geospatial analysis, systems thinking, and participatory approaches to understand how individuals and communities make natural resource decisions and how policies, institutions, values, and environmental conditions influence those decisions. His research spans working landscapes and communities in Kentucky and the broader United States, as well as international contexts including Nepal. Current projects address topics such as agrivoltaics, agroforestry, conservation practice adoption, watershed governance, human–wildlife interactions, land-use change, and the food–water–energy nexus. Dr. Upadhaya is particularly interested in interdisciplinary and collaborative research that connects scientific knowledge with community priorities and practical decision-making. Through his research, teaching, and outreach, he seeks to develop actionable approaches that strengthen environmental stewardship, community resilience, and sustainable management of natural resources.

Mr. Basudev Sharma Pokhrel

Plant Protection Inspector III with the Maryland Department of Agriculture

Mr. Basudev Sharma Pokhrel is a Plant Protection Inspector III with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, where he works in plant pest survey and detection, biological control, noxious weed management, and regulatory plant protection. He is a broadly trained agriculturist and entomologist with extensive experience in integrated pest management (IPM), pesticide regulation, plant quarantine, nursery and seed inspection, pest surveillance, and agricultural extension. Before joining the Maryland Department of Agriculture, he served in several leadership and technical positions in Nepal, including Senior District Agriculture Development Officer, Senior Plant Protection Officer, and Pesticide Inspector. He has also delivered numerous IPM, pesticide safety, plant protection, and farmer-training programs. Mr. Pokhrel holds an M.Sc. in Agriculture with a major in Entomology and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, as well as graduate training in social science. His professional interests include plant health, trade facilitation, biosecurity, sustainable pest management, and agricultural development.

Immediate Past President

Ramjee P Ghimire, PhD

Michigan State University, MI, USA

Dr. Ghimire is a multidisciplinary researcher and development practitioner with expertise in international agricultural development and global health. He holds a Ph.D. in international agricultural development from Michigan State University (MSU), USA. At MSU, Dr. Ghimire oversees the WorldTAP food safety and Global Health Institute (GHI) “Health Security, One Health and Zoonoses” training programs. He led the Mekong One Health Innovation Program (MOHIP) in the Lower Mekong subregion and a project on Capacity Strengthening in Africa, among others. Dr. Ghimire has spearheaded international research, education, and outreach initiatives in collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including academia. He has facilitated projects across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas promoting demand-driven, participatory, and pluralistic approaches. Before joining MSU, Dr. Ghimire served over sixteen years in Nepal providing technical and administrative oversight to district livestock development and animal health programs and monitoring and evaluation of national livestock services. Additionally, he served in collaborative projects on animal disease prevention and control and community development with national and international NGOs, including but not limited to the FAO, the USAID, and Winrock International. Since joining NAPA in 2016, Dr. Ghimire has actively contributed to and led in many different capacities: the Research Brief Editorial Committee (2018-2020), Resource Capacity Building Committee (2018-2020), General Secretary (2020-2022), Vice President (2022-2024), and President (2024-2026).