Mr. Rajendra Khatri, is a distinguished Senior Research Associate and Project Manager at the Nepal Development Research Institute. He holds MA, Sociology from Tribhuvan University. With an impressive 15-year career in research, he has excelled in various capacities, demonstrating expertise in project management and leadership roles. Mr. Khatri has played pivotal roles as a Team Leader, Project Manager, Evaluation Coordinator, Project Coordinator, Field Coordinator and Researcher/Data Analyst across numerous projects for esteemed organizations.

Mr. Khatri's expertise spans adeptly across the effective administration of surveys, demonstrating commendable competencies, skills, and knowledge in both field and desk settings. He has already travelled 77 districts of Nepal and well acquainted with the diverse socio-cultural aspects, geographic complexity and lingual aspect of all Nepal. With a proven track record, he has successfully undertaken diverse research projects spanning multiple thematic areas such as public health, education, agriculture, food security and livelihood, gender, enterprise development, economics, social science and disasters. Throughout his career, he has accomplished various evaluations, impact assessments, database research, social research, and project assessments including baseline, midline, and end-line assessments.

Mr. Khatri has forged strong collaborations with governmental agencies in Nepal such as the National Planning Commission, Federal Ministries, Departments, Directorates, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), provincial ministries, directorates, and various rural and urban municipalities of Nepal. His extensive experience also encompasses successful project delivery with international INGOs and Donors, which include DFID, USAID, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNRCO, UNOPS, WHO, WFP, ILO, World Bank Groups, ICIMOD, Nepal Red Cross, American Red Cross, International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), IPAS, Plan International, KOICA and Practical Action, among others.

Moreover, Mr. Khatri has actively contributed to academic research endeavors in collaboration with renowned Universities and organizations such as Yale University (USA), Kansas State university (USA) Cancer Research UK, ICHARM Japan.  Likewise, he possesses extensive experience working with international consulting firms, including Japan Economic Research Institute Inc. (JERI), the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI Japan), and The Abdul Latif Jameel Action Lab (J-Pal) under the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His engagement reflects a commitment to advancing research and making substantial contributions to both local and international communities.

Presently, he serves as a Project Manager for the "Promoting Innovation and Inclusion in Growth Potential Enterprises: Evidence from Nepal" project, funded by the International Research Development Center (IDRC) Canada till 2026. The primary aim of this initiative is to discern the prevailing constraints impeding the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nepal. This experimental research project unfolds across the seven provinces of Nepal, encompassing an extensive sample of 1200 MSMEs, as it endeavors to unravel insights crucial for fostering innovation and inclusivity in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Some of the major research and projects accomplished in recent year.

    1. Promoting Innovation and inclusion in Growth Potential Enterprises: Evidence from Nepal (2023 -2026), funded by IDRC Canada, (Project Manager).
    2. Quantitative and Qualitative study for the Data Must Speak Positive Deviance Research (April – October 2023), funded by UNICEF Global Innocenti, (Project Coordinator).
    3. To conduct Baseline and Endline study on Mental Health in Karnali Province (April – March 2024), funded by UNICEF, (Team leader).
    4. Agricultural Economic Survey (March – June 2023), funded by Japan Economic Research Institute (JERI), (Team Leader).
    5. Household and Village Survey of Indigenous Groups in South and Southeast Asia. (Sep. 2022 – March 2023), funded by Asian Development Bank Institute, Japan (Team Leader).
    6. Ed-Tech Readiness Index (ETRI) (June 2022 – August 2022), World Bank, (Team Leader).

    7. Ensuring Business Innovation Fundamentals: Exploring Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) of Nepal. (2021-), funded by IDRC Canada, (Field coordinator).
    8. Impact study of Early Warning system in Karnali and Mahakali Basin (March 2022 – May 2022), funded by Practical Action, (Team Leader)
    9. Post Distribution Monitoring Survey (Feb 2022 – April 2022), funded by IFRC, (Team Leader) 
    10. A study on Mental Health of school going children in Nepal. (March 2021 to June 2021), Funded by World Bank, (Team Leader).
    11. End line assessment of the project regarding effectiveness of community participation in promoting accountability in health services delivery and increasing abortion related awareness. (Oct 2020 – Dec.2020), funded by IPAS Nepal, (Evaluation Coordinator)
    12. Nepal living Standard Survey IV 2021/22 (NLSS - IV) (2019), funded by World Bank and technical support by Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). (Field Coordinator).

Publication:
    1. Bhattarai, R. K. et al, (2022). Transforming Indigenous Knowledge and Skills for Achieving Sustainable Business: Evidence from MSMEs in Nepal. Proceedings of the International Research Conference of the SLTC Research University, Sri Lanka 2022. Proceedings of the International Research Conference of the SLTC Research University, Sri Lanka 2022
http://repo.sltc.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/1/268/30%20Bhattarai%20et%20al%20IRC2022%20_%20SLTC_%20Research%20University_Proceedings.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
http://repo.sltc.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/1/268/30%20Bhattarai%20et%20al%20IRC2022%20_%20SLTC_%20Research%20University_Proceedings.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
    2. Toward Effective Early Warning System: Impact and Lessons from Nepal and Peru, Project Report. (Acknowledgement) 
https://infohub.practicalaction.org/bitstream/handle/11283/622985/EWS_Impact%20and%20lessons%20from%20Nepal%20and%20Peru_07092023.pdf?sequence=9&isAllowed=y&_gl=1*13u4vpv*_gcl_au*NTE4MjgyODU5LjE2OTcwMDU0MTQ.*_ga*MTY5Njc1OTI2NS4xNjk3MDA1NDE0*_ga_KEV5KYD4JS*MTY5NzAwNTQxNC4xLjAuMTY5NzAwNTQxNC42MC4wLjA.*_ga_ZWCVDFFX4W*MTY5NzAwNTQxNC4xLjAuMTY5NzAwNTQxNC42MC4wLjA.
    3. Bhattarai R.K., Shrestha N., Bajimaya S., Khatri R., Mulmi R.S. & Shrestha S. (2023). “Ensuring business innovation fundamentals: exploring equity, diversity and inclusion in small and medium sized enterprises (MSMES) of Nepal”. Available on 
https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/10625/61869/2023-01-23_IDRC-EI-Report_Jan%2023.pdf?sequence=1

Ms. Shreya Bajimaya is currently working as a Senior Research Associate at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI). She holds post-graduate degree in Interdisciplinary Water Resources Management (IWRM) from Nepal Engineering College (affiliated with Pokhara University) under South Asia Water Fellowship (SAWA) awarded by South Asia Consortium for Interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies (SaciWATERS). She completed her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Kathmandu University.

Over the past four years, Ms. Bajimaya has been actively involved with NDRI, primarily focusing on research and project management across various areas such as water and climate, nature based solutions, agriculture and livelihood, gender and social inclusion, and enterprise development. Prior to working in NDRI, Ms. Bajimaya was involved in development of emergency WASH plan for Panauti Municipality and baseline assessment of Integrated Watershed Management Activity (IWMA) as a consultant.

Ms. Bajimaya has presented her work in national and international forums, as well as contributed to the publication of conference paper, book chapter, journal article and case studies. She has worked on different community WASH projects, rainwater harvesting initiatives, and waste and wastewater management. Furthermore, she has nine years of experience in conducting field activities including Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, Consultative meeting and workshops, analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, coordinating with stakeholders across multiple levels and sectors, and preparing reports and other documents.

Research Interests:

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), water resources management, disaster risk management, Nature based Solutions, Climate change, and social issues including GESI.

Publications:

• Bhattarai R.K., Shrestha N., Bajimaya S., Khatri R., Mulmi R.S. & Shrestha S. (2023). “Ensuring business innovation fundamentals: exploring equity, diversity and inclusion in small and medium sized enterprises (MSMES) of Nepal”. Available on https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/10625/61869/2023-01-23_IDRC-EI-Report_Jan%2023.pdf?sequence=1

• Basnyat D.B., Shrestha D., Thapa S., Bajimaya S., Maharjan M., Shrestha S. & Dhungana S. (2020). “Post-flood assessment of the 2019 flooding in the Bagmati River Basin, Nepal”, published in Journal of Development Innovations (Vol 4, No. 1, 2020, Pg-20-47) on July, 2020. Available on https://www.karmaquest.org/journal/index.php/ILGDI/article/view/67/51.

• Dongol R., Kansakar L.K., Bajimaya S., Maharjan S. & Shrestha D. (2012). “Overview of water markets in the Kathmandu Valley”, published as a chapter in a book- Kathmandu Valley Groundwater Outlook published by Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Small Earth Nepal (SEN), Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW) and International Research Center for River Basin Environment –University of Yamanashi (ICRE-UY) in 2012.

• Basnet, M. and Bajimaya S. (2012) “Study of different modalities of public toilet in Kathmandu Metropolitan City”, presented by author and published online on https://www.ircwash.org/resources/study-different-modalities-public-toilets-kathmandu-metropolitan-city-paper-prepared-south of Asia Regional Practitioners Workshop (By all and forever: improving sustainability, equity, monitoring in WASH) organized by IRC, BRAC, WaterAid and the Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), Rajendrapur, 31 January-02 February 2012

• Bajimaya, S and Amatya, P (2010) "Community led integrated waste and wastewater management: Case study of Khokana Village in Kathmandu valley", published in the proceeding of International Conference on Sustainable Water Management (SWM 2010) during 15-17 September 2010 at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.

• Bajimaya, S (2009) "Healthy and Beautiful Siddhipur", An article published in Sanitation from the field: A compilation of Case studies on Sanitation in Nepal published by WaterAid-Nepal

Honors and awards:

• South Asia Water (SAWA) Fellowship for the entire M.Sc. in interdisciplinary Water Resources Management awarded by South Asia Consortium for interdisciplinary Water Resources Studies (SaciWATERs)

• Outstanding poster award presented for the poster titled “Community-led Integrated Waste and Wastewater Management” in WASH conference 2011 organized by Australian Government AusAID, WaterAid, International Water Centre, International Water Forum, Institute for Sustainable futures and University of Technology Sydney, Brisbane, Australia, May 16-20, 2011

• Best Student Paper awarded for the paper titled “Community-led Integrated Waste and wastewater management: Case study of Khokana village in Kathmandu valley” in International Conference on Sustainable Water Management organized by Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan, Sep 15-17, 2010.

• Grant awarded for conducting M.Sc. thesis titled “Evolution of groundwater market in Kathmandu Valley: Analysis of actors, market and regulations” by Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), Kathmandu, Nepal, August 2011.

Dibesh Shrestha, Senior Research Associate

Ms. Kabita Yadav is currently working as a Research Associate at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI). She holds post-graduate in Public Health from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE University, Belagavi, India. She completed her undergraduate degree in B.Sc Nursing from Kathmandu University. Over the past five years, Ms. Kabita has been actively involved with NDRI where she has actively contributed to various research projects and managed initiatives across the health sectors. Some of her research includes: An assessment of community level facilitators and barriers for SRHR among adolescents and young people in the context of COVID 19; Gender, equity and human rights focused assessment on the health sector preparedness and response for COVID-19 during 2020-21; Assessment of Regulatory system of Private sector engagement in nutrition in Nepal; Endline Assessment of Sexual and Reproductive health project. etc.

Ms. Yadav expertise extends to various areas of research work, including proposal writing, project planning, management, and implementation. She has also been involved in program assessment and monitoring, training and capacity building, as well as data analysis and report writing. Additionally, her proficiency in data analysis and report writing has led to the creation of comprehensive, evidence-based documents that have contributed significantly to the field of public health.

Research Interests

• Infectious diseases and epidemiology, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Non communicable Diseases

Professional Experience

• From 2019 to 2021: Senior Research Assistant - Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) 

• From 2021 to Present: Research Associate - Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) 

Mr. Ram Prasad Devkota is presently employed as a Research Associate at NDRI. He holds bachelor degree in Economics and English from Tribhuvan University. With over 10 years of experience in the research field, Devkota has been actively involved with NDRI focusing on research and project execution and management activities in diverse field. Mr. Devkota has been engaged in several projects as a project manager, provincial coordinator, data manager, data analyst, field coordinator, field supervisor, and field researcher. Devkota has involved in various evaluations, impact assessments, database survey, social research, and project assessments including baseline, midline, and end-line assessments. He has also actively participated in various social activities. In addition, he possesses valuable experience in liaising with government and non-government entities, along with expertise in public relations and mobilization activities.

Ms. Anjana Lamichhane, an accomplished economist with a Master's degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University Nepal, serves as a Research Associate in NDRI's Economics and Health program. She is associated with the Cancer Research UK Fund- Tobacco Control Program, which aims to influence tobacco control policies through evidence-based advocacy. As a researcher/economic analyst, Anjana plays an essential role in researching the adverse effects of tobacco on both public health and the national economy, assessing the effectiveness of tobacco tax, and advocating government to implement effective tobacco control policies. Her commitment to this vital cause is evident in her contributions to the program, reflecting her passion for making a positive impact on society. Through her work, Anjana Lamichhane continues to make efforts to improve public health and promote a thriving economy. 

Research Interest:
Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Stability, Tax Policy Evaluation and Impact Assessment, Political economy of Taxation, Public Policy Evaluation and Health economics. 

Professional Experience:
July 2022 - Present:     Research Associate at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), Nepal
February 2021: July 2022: Research Assistant at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), Nepal
April 2019- January 2021: Communication and Outreach Assistant at Environment, Conservation and Training Centre (ECTrain), Nepal

Honors & Awards:
Awarded Scholarship to attend Tobacco Industry, Monitoring, Research and Accountability (TIMRA) course by Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG), Department for Health, University of Bath, United Kingdom, 2023
Grant Awarded for conducting Master’s thesis titled “An Economic Analysis of Homestay Tourism: A Case Study of Chitlang Village of Makawanpur District, Nepal” by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) Kathmandu, Nepal, 2020. 

Publications: 
Shakya S, Lamichhane A, Karki P, Gurung JK, Pradhan PM. Extent of illicit cigarette sales in Nepal: findings from a retail survey. Tobacco Control. 2023 Apr 6. doi: 10.1136/tc-2022-057619

Lamichhane A, Chaulagain K, Gurung JK. Youth and Tobacco in Nepal: An overview. Nepal Development Research Institute. 2023. 
Chaulagain K, Lamichhane A, Karki P, Shakya S, Gurung JK. Health Impact of Tobacco in Nepal: A Country Report Based on the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases Study. Nepal Development Research Institute. 2022. URL: https://www.ndri.org.np/publication/details/health-impact-of-tobacco-in-nepal-a-country-report-based-on-the-2019-global-burden-of-diseases-study 

Shakya S, Lamichhane A, Devlin D, Gurung Jk, Karki P, Latchford J. Estimating extent of Illicit Cigarette Trade in Nepal: A Packet Analysis Method. Nepal Development Research Institute. 2022. URL: https://www.ndri.org.np/publication/details/report-on-extent-of-illicit-cigarette-trade-in-nepal 

Shrestha R, Sharma DP, Shakya S, Shrestha I, Lamichhane A, Adhikari S. A comparative analysis of tobacco taxation and its impact on SAARC Region. Nepal Revenue Advisory Board. 2021.  URL: https://www.ndri.org.np/publication/details/comparative-study-of-tax-on-tobacco-products-in-saarc-regions-and-its-effect 

Lamichhane A, KC A, Sharma B. Socio-economic Aspects of Tourism Development in Chitlang Village, Makwanpur. Economic Journal of Nepal. 2020 Dec 31; 43(3-4).                   doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/ejon.v43i3-4.48038
 

Kamal Chaulagain holds a Master of Public Health from Patan Academy of Health Sciences with an additional Masters in Sociology from Tribhuvan University. With over seven years of professional experience, Kamal has demonstrated expertise in community outreach, research, and grassroots campaigns. He currently serves as a Research Associate at the Nepal Development Research Institute, focusing on tobacco control. Kamal's past roles include technical officer roles with an emphasis on disease surveillance for COVID-19, strengthening health systems, and promoting maternal and child health. He has also taught public health subjects at the Nepal Institute of Health Sciences. Kamal's impressive academic credentials are supplemented by training from prestigious institutions. His research contributions in the field of public health are notable, with multiple publications focusing on issues pertinent to Nepal, ranging from tobacco's health impacts to adolescent health and other public health disciplines. He possesses diverse skills in statistical tools making him proficient in data analysis and research methodology. Kamal is a dedicated professional aiming to make significant contributions to the realm of public health in Nepal.

Research Interests 
Social Determinants of Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, Adolescent Health, Health System and Governance, Health Policy, Social Inclusion, Community Engagement, and Participatory Planning

Divya Laxmi Subedi

Ms. Divya Laxmi Subedi holds a Joint Master’s degree in Erasmus Mundus programme “Hydroinformatics and Water Management (EuroAQUAE)”. She completed her Master’s degree from Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany), Newcastle University (United Kingdom), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain) and University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (France). She completed her Bachelor’s degree in “Civil Engineering with specialization in Hydropower” from Kathmandu University (Nepal).

She is a part of NDRI’s Water and Climate program as a Research Associate. She is associated with the Global Challenges Researchers Fund- GCRF’s Tomorrow’s Cities Project as a water/climate change analyst. Her works focus on understanding the impacts of climate change on future rainfall extreme events with implications for urban flood risk.

Prior to working in NDRI, she worked as an intern at Deltares (the Netherlands). At Deltares, she performed her Master’s thesis on testing a python based hydrological and sediment model on Koshi catchment of Nepal. She also worked as a summer intern in École Polythecnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland). Additionally, she has worked as a teaching faculty and a civil engineer in infrastructure and hydropower development sector before pursuing her Master’s degree.

Research Interest:

Catchment hydrology, rainfall patterns, water resources management, disaster risk management and climate change studies.

Professional Experience:

June 2021 - Present: Research Associate, Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), Nepal

March 2020 – August 2020: Intern, Deltares, the Netherlands

July 2019 – August 2019: Summer Intern, École Polythecnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

June 2017 – June 2018: Civil Engineer, Setikhola Hydropower Pvt. Ltd., Nepal

May 2016 – May 2017: Site Engineer, Contech Pvt. Ltd., Nepal

December 2015 – April 2016: Teaching Faculty, Sindhuli Community Technical Institute, Nepal

Honors & Awards:

Full Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for MSc. in Hydroinformatics and Water Management completed in Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain and the Netherlands.

Publications:

Pradhan, P.M., Adhikari, R., Dahal, A., Shrestha, A., Subedi, D.L., Thapa, S., Kharel, Pratiksha, “Retrofitting Design of Kathmandu University Library Building after Gorkha Earthquake 2015″, Lowland Technology International Vol. 18, No.2, IALT, Japan. (Research paper Published for Special Issue, September 2016)

Mr. Girish Raj Lamsal is a young and enthusiastic Civil cum Water Resources (Hydropower) Engineer with a keen interest in hydrological modeling, water resources management, and reservoir optimization. His passion lies in continuously expanding his knowledge and expertise in the field of water resources to contribute to sustainable development.
Mr. Lamsal has acquired valuable experience through his involvement in various roles and projects. Currently, he serves as a Research Associate on the "Water and Climate Project" at NDRI, where he actively contributes to research initiatives aimed at understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change on water resources. Additionally, he is assisting on the "Strengthening Kamala Basin Development Planning Implementation - Hydro-economic Model of Kamala River Basin" project for ICIMOD and CSIRO, where he plays a key role in developing hydro-economic model for the Kamala River Basin.
Previously, he worked as a Freelance Hydrologist, undertaking hydrological and meteorological studies in diverse locations including Sindhupalchowk, Bhotekoshi, Jugal, and Panchpokhari Thankpal Municipalities and Rural Municipalities. He also served as a Field Hydrologist for the Tayar Nepal Program, focusing on the development of Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP) in Dullu, Nepal.
Mr. Lamsal holds a Master's degree in Hydropower Engineering from Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University. His master's thesis concentrated on the optimization of multi-reservoir and inter-basin diversions in the Koshi Basin of Nepal, employing Elitist-Mutated Particle Swarm Optimization (EMPSO). He also completed a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Thapathali Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University.
In terms of skills, Mr.Lamsal is proficient in hydrological modeling using tools like HEC-HMS and SWAT, as well as hydraulic modeling using HEC-RAS. He possesses expertise in mapping and analysis using ArcGIS and is well-versed in statistical analysis using Python, R-Programming, and GAMS.
Mr. Lamsal has showcased his research capabilities by publishing his work in the International Journal of Energy and Water Resources. His publication titled "Optimal operation of cascading reservoirs in the Koshi river basin" exemplifies his expertise in reservoir optimization and highlights his commitment to contributing valuable insights to the scientific community.
With his extensive experience and knowledge, Mr. Lamsal is actively pursuing opportunities to make a significant impact in the field of water resources, striving to create sustainable solutions for the challenges faced in this critical domain.

Ms. Nirmita Shrestha is working as a Research Associate at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI). She is currently engaged in “Promoting Innovation and Inclusion in Growth Potential Enterprises: Evidence from Nepal” project, which is funded by IDRC. She holds a Master's degree in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies from Tribhuvan University (TU) and the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (BBA) from TU. She received the NORHED Scholarship for her Master's in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies through the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED).  She has an interest in policy research, with a focus on governance, social and economic development, and various cross cutting issues. 

Sunita Magar
Ms. Sunita Magar is currently working as a Research Associate at Nepal Development Research Institute’s Disaster Management and Water and Climate program. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Geology from Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University. She completed her undergraduate program from Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Ghantaghar, Kathmandu. She worked as a student assistant in the Bagmati Monitoring Project from 2015 to 2022 A.D., a collaborative project between the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and Tribhuvan University. Prior to joining NDRI, Sunita Magar worked as a Geologist/Hydrogeologist at Nir Drilling and Construction Pvt. Ltd. Also, she was employed as a television presenter for science program “Today’s Science” in Nepal Television.
Research Interest
Disaster risk reduction and management, hazard mapping, hydrogeology, water quality and climate change, geographic information system and remote sensing.
Awards and Grants
    • Master’s degree thesis grant, Centre of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW) 2021.
    •  Mitra Bahadur Rai Memorial Scholarship 2019.
    • Outstanding Young Researcher Presentation Award at 9th Nepal Geological Congress in 2018.
Publications
Iqbal, M., Bhattarai, T. N., Heinzel, C., Tuladhar, S. Magar, S. & Raila, N. (2021) Delineating Contaminant Hotspots Through Hydrochemical Assessment of a Severely Degraded Watershed in Nepal. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Vol. 20, No. 3 (2023), pp. 29-37. DOI 10.3233/AJW230035

Salisha Raila an economist with a Master's degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal and graduate of Bachelor's in Business Administration from Shanker Dev Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal. She has remained Tribhuvan University Topper in the third semester of BBA. Similarly, She has worked as an Operational Assistant at Nepal SBI Bank Ltd. from July 2019 to june 2023. She has a publication 'Financial Factors Affecting Foreign Direct Investment Flows into Nepal' which is available at https://doi.org/10.3126/rcab.v2i1.57641.

Sophiya Shrestha is an environmental engineer who holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Environmental Engineering from Kathmandu University. She has been actively involved in the field of research, particularly in the areas of health, education, and environment. Currently, Sophiya works as a Research Assistant at NDRI's Health, Education, and Environment thematic area, where she is involved in various research projects from their proposal development to their successful execution. One of Sophiya's significant engagements is her role as the focal person from NDRI for UNICEF's Data Must Speak Positive Deviance Research in Nepal. In this capacity, she is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the research activities related to positive deviance research and data collection in Nepal. This highlights her leadership abilities and her ability to collaborate effectively with national and international organizations.

She has co-authored conference papers and has actively represented NDRI in several notable conferences. Some of these conferences include WasteSafe 2023: the 8th International Conference on Integrated Solid Waste & Faecal Sludge Management, and The 13th International Symposium on Southeast Asian Water Environment (SEAWE-13).

Through her academic background, research experience, efforts in project execution, and representation at conferences she has contributed significantly to the NDRI's mission of providing evidence-based inputs for policy making on contemporary issues through rigorous research.

Prabin Shrestha is an accomplished software engineer with over three years of experience in software engineering since 2019 and completed an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Information Technology in 2022 from Tribhuwan University. From a young age, Prabin developed a keen interest in information security and Software Engineering, recognizing the potential of technology to solve, reduce, and automate business complexities. Prabin's expertise in software engineering, particularly in Python Web Engineering, allows him to develop innovative solutions that streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive business growth. With a keen eye for identifying pain points and a knack for creating elegant software solutions, Prabin is dedicated to leveraging technology to simplify and automate complex business operations, ultimately empowering organizations to thrive in an increasingly digital world. 

Additionally, Prabin Shrestha is a passionate advocate of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS). He firmly believes in the power of collaborative development and the democratization of knowledge through open-source initiatives. Prabin actively contributes to the FOSS community, sharing his expertise, and participating in projects that promote transparency, innovation, and accessibility.

Research Interests: Threat intelligence and proactive cyber defense strategies, Behavioral analysis for malware detection, Efficient data structures for streaming algorithms, Algorithmic solutions for NP-hard problems, Quantum algorithms and their potential impact on cryptography

Ms. Utasaha Gartaula is a dynamic and dedicated public health professional, holding an undergraduate degree from Karnali College of Health Sciences (Purbanchal University). With a genuine passion for research, she serves as a Senior Research Assistant at Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI). One of Utasaha's defining characteristics is her unyielding enthusiasm and boundless motivation.

As a public health graduate, Ms. Gartaula's focus area for her career development has been to be a researcher such that she can identify the gaps between policies and communities and support for the evidence- based development. She believes, research is the foot of the progressing society. Her goal aligns towards identifying the challenges and issues of the society. 

Research Interest: 
Mental health, Sexual and Reproductive health, Water and Sanitation Hygiene, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Livelihood, Nutrition

Professional Experience:

Research Intern (April 2023- August 2023)
Phase Nepal

Field Researcher (November 2022- February 2023)
Heifer International Nepal

Honors and Awards
Excellent Student Award- 2021
Karnali College of Health Sciences

Karishma Bhandari is a passionate and driven public health student currently studying Bachelor of Public Health at Central Department of Public Health, IOM. Her journey in public health has been shaped by deep sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. She believes that public health is not just a field of study but a calling to create a healthier, more equitable world for all. She is often engaged in health advocacy, staying updated on the latest public health developments, and collaborating with like-minded individuals to address pressing health issues. 

Swostika Thapaliya 22, is a final year undergraduate student of Public Health in Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine. She is affiliated to a non-governmental organization, YUWA as its General Secretary. She has been working for young people's SRHR and Comprehensive Sexuality Education for more than three years and has been actively engaged in national and international level advocacy processes. She is committed to promoting social change, gender equality, and youth participation in health and development. She likes travelling and finds solace in poetry.