Gan Bajracharya, PhD
Faculty Chief
Chief Scientific Officer
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +97715253521
Faculty of Science conducts research in different areas of science. There are five research laboratories, two research support program, and other international/national collaborative programs under this faculty. Faculty of science conducts scientific research and provides analytical services in different areas of science. Key areas of research activities pertaining in this faculty are molecular characterization and DNA sequencing, carbon sequestration, radiation and nanomaterials, chemical characterization, Ex situ conservation, plant response modeling, biodiversity conservation and climate change, hydrospheric and atmospheric science, water quality research and monitoring etc. Current analytical services that has been provided by this faculty are water quality analysis, radiation dosimetry, soil analysis, diagnosis of citrus greening disease etc
Group photo of faculty of science staff members
Research Laboratories
- Biological Resource
- Environmental Research
- Molecular Research
- Physical Science
- Natural Product Chemistry
Research Support Programs
- Nepal Climate Change and Knowledge Management Center (NCCKMC)
- Talent Promotion Program
International/National Collaborative/Faculty Programs
Animal Research Program
Background
Under Animal Research Program, the Animal Research Laboratory (ARL) has been established. The ARL is a part of Faculty of Science established in 2073/074 (2016AD) by the scientists, administrators, planners, and academicians of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.
Aim
To conduct various research and promotional activities related to the prioritised topics of the country in the context of the welfare of the animals and humans.
Objectives
The objectives of ARL are:
• Immunoparasitology
• Pharmaceutical sciences
• Ethnomedicine and Conservation biology
Current Activities
• Investigating the endoparasites of animals.
• Assessment of the ectoparasitic species in animals and their roles in disease transmission.
Darwin Initiative Project
Partner organizations: RBGE (UK), NAST (Nepal), DPR, MoFE( Nepal), CDB, TU (Nepal), HELVITAS (Nepal), Forest Action(Nepal) AEPC (Nepal).
Science-based intervention reversing negative impacts of invasive plants in Nepal: Invasive Alien Species are one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem health, and considerable burden in agriculture and forestry. The project aims in: developing the scientific knowledge-base and in-country capacity to tackle increasing challenges from invasive plants in Nepal; engaging local communities in recognition, control and utilization of invasive plants, and restoring infested lands; using invasive plant biomass for alternative, carbon-sensitive bio-energy sources to improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, conserve biodiversity and offset carbon. Project activities focus on Bardiya, Nawalparasi and Makawanpur districts of Nepal.
Team members: Dr. Shandesh Bhattarai
Contact: Shandesh Bhattarai ([email protected]; [email protected])
Flora of Nepal Publication
Partner organizations: RBGE, Natural History Museum, London (UK), NAST (Nepal), University of Tokyo (Japan), DPR, MoFE (Nepal), CDB, TU (Nepal)
The purpose of the Flora of Nepal project is to produce the comprehensive account of all the estimated 7000 species of vascular plants of Nepal. One of the outputs is a series of ten printed volumes, written in English. The main use for the printed Flora is plant identification. The Flora of Nepal sets out to produce a new approach to specimen-based Flora writing. There are guidelines (www.floraofnepal.org) which help to prepare taxonomic treatments that are as consistent as possible both within and between volumes of the Flora. Subsequent versions of the Guidelines and supporting documents will be available in the Flora of Nepal website (www.floraofnepal.org).
Team members: Dr. Shandesh Bhattarai,
Contact: Shandesh Bhattarai ([email protected]; [email protected])
Mycotoxin study
Partner organizations: USAID (Nepal), NAST (Nepal), The Feed the Future PHLIL, KSU (USA), NDRI (Nepal), Hellen Keller International (Nepal).
Characterizing prevalence of mycotoxins in value chain crops and livestock feeds in Nepal
Team members: Dr. Rosa Ranjit
Microbial Culture Collection Centre
Nepal is rich in biodiversity and microbial resources due to its unique topography and high variability in eco-climatic conditions.Microorganisms have been recognized as vital components of the world’s biodiversity. Microorganisms are essential for life since they perform numerous functions like nutrient cycling, environment detoxification, production of antibiotics, vitamins and industrial enzymes etc. Despite the importance of microbial resources, priority has not been given for the preservation of these resources. Most of the strains are lost due to lack of adequate permanent and reliable repository. Long-term preservation of micro-organisms is an often neglected but very important aspect of both applied and environmental microbiology. Realizing the importance of preservation of this microbial resource, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) aims to establish a Microbial Culture Collection Centre (MCCC) at NAST. Preliminary work on establishment of MCCC has been initiated. Thiscenter will play a crucial role in preservation and sustainable use of microcroorganisms.
Team members:
Dr. Jyoti Maharjan ([email protected]; [email protected])
Dr. Deegendra Khadka ([email protected])
Contact:Dr. Jyoti Maharjan([email protected]; [email protected])
Model Scientific Village
Model Scientific Village (MSV) is a village/area which comprises all the existing theoretical and practical knowledge of science (Biology, chemistry, physics, geography, environmental sciences, engineering, and others) and the local people think, read, follow, regulate, and sustain science and scientific facts. The concept of MSV is significant for all people with different professions and characteristic groups, for example, for generalists and specialists, for young and adults, and for male and female. The objectives are: to develop the village based on sustainable development; to conduct the income-generating programs and trainings on health awareness, environment, and science, and to identify and establish basic and advanced technology.
Currently Model Scientific Village program is running at Musahari Tole, Haribhawan, Lalbandi-4, Sarlahi.
Team members: Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhungel
Yarsagumba Research & Development
Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis; syn. Cordyceps sinensis) is the most expensive bioresource available in world today. So far, Nepal is the second largest supplier of this mushroom, with official annual production standing around three tonnes. Excessive harvesting to meet the increasing demand in the international market is threatening the livelihood and the existence of this species in its native habitat. For last few years’ serious concerns on the availability and abundance, appropriate policy on collection, processing, and trade of the resource have been raised by collectors, traders, researchers, conservationists, and policy makers within the country. On the other hand detailed analyses of the ecology, life history, population dynamics, habitat condition, awareness among harvesters, and assessment of natural stocks for sustainable use of this valuable resource are lacking. With these backdrops this program has envisaged to relieve our alpine meadow (grasslands) from all those environmental or other types of stresses and make the resource sustainable as its primary goal.
Team members: Dr. Lok Ranjan Bhatta; Dr. Ram Chandra Poudel
Food Green City
The program aims to promote greenery and encourage local people to grow food plants in open spaces of urban and peri-urban areas of various parts of the country in collaboration with local governments and stakeholders.
Team Members: Ms. Nisha Rana, Dr. Lok Ranjan Bhatt, Mr Pawan Kumar Neupane
High-Altitude Research
The High-Altitude Research Unit (HARU) focuses on multi-disciplinary research with emphasis on high-altitude region. The unit maintains Pyramid Laboratory in Lobuche, near Everest Base camp at 5050 m above sea level with the objective to provide the scientific community of the country a self-contained high altitude / high latitude laboratory for scientific research.
The major activities of the unit are
• Monitoring Climate :with a network of 5 automatic weather stations from Lukla, Namche, Pheriche, Lobuche to Kala Patthar called Pyramid Meteorological Network.
• Monitoring Glaciers: In collaboration with IRD, France, T.U., and University of Grenoble Mera Glacier and Pokhalde Glaciers are being monitored .and a project “Sustainability of hydro-glaciological WATER resources in the HIMALaya under climate and glacier changes” with the aim to better understand the spatio-temporal variability of precipitations in the Everest region, as well as their link with the glacier evolution and the high elevation basin hydrology23.
• Monitoring atmospheric micro/nano plastics: prevalence of micro-/nano plastics in the atmospheric compartment is monitored with collection and analysis of atmospheric fallout/deposition with NILU fallout collector (collaboration with University of Birmingham/ LEHNA lab France).
• Monitoring atmospheric composition: Situated at 5050m above sea level is the Nepal Climate Observatory-Pyramid equipped to perform continuous measurements of chemical (organic and inorganic, soluble and insoluble), physical (mass and number size distribution) and optical (absorption and scattering coefficients) properties of aerosol. Surface O3 and climate altering halocarbon concentrations are also measured at ABC-Pyramid. Aerosol sun photometry studies are carried out as well. (Collaboration with CNR, Italy)
Team Members
Ms. Neesha Rana ([email protected])
Mrs. Devesh Koirala ( [email protected], [email protected])
Supportive Staff members
1. Ms. Indira Thapa Mahat
2. Mr. Dev Raj Sapkota
3. Mr. Narayan Pokharel