Lalit.PunMagar@kysu.edu

Personal Description:

I am Lalit Pun Magar and am currently serving as a Graduate Research Assistant in Master of Science in Environmental Studies program at Kentucky State University. I am from Gurbhakot, Surkhet, Nepal. I completed by undergraduate degree from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal in December 2021.

Currently, I am working under Dr. Anuj Chiluwal in his Soybean project. Our project mainly focuses on optimizing nitrogen management in soybean integrating high throughput aerial phenotyping. Under this project, three of us graduate students are assigned different research by Dr. Chiluwal. We are evaluating the effect of biochar and different doses of nitrogen fertilization on different planting date and analyzing the effects on soybean yield, protein content, and other morphological characteristics. Besides that, we are evaluating the effects of assimilate supply on the soybean seed weight. My research title is "Aerial phenotyping to monitor plant growth, physiological parameters and yield prediction in soybean". My research goal is to identify the best high throughput aerial phenotyping indices and bands and disseminate them to farmers, extension personnel, and researchers. Besides that, this research will help in assessing crop growth, several morphophysiological traits, yield, input limitations, and biotic and abiotic stress detection in soybean.

Advisor:

Dr. Atanu Mukherjee

Personal Description:

My name is Sandeep Airee, received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal. Along with my degree, I completed courses on ArcGIS Pro, R-stat, SPSS, and CS-Pro and so far, I have published five articles in reputable scientific journals. I have participated in 4-months IPM- based training organized by CARITAS-NEPAL, the National Soil Survey Program, worked as a data encoder for Nepal Public Health Foundation, worked for two years as an Agriculture Officer in Nepal, Program Coordinator at Youth-Thinkers' Society Chitwan. My motto is to learn something new every day and actively seek feedback to grow.

In addition, I have also been awarded a prestigious “Erasmus Scholarship for a Master of Soil Science”. I am currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Environmental Studies Program (MES) working as a Graduate Research Assistant under Dr. Atanu Mukherjee at the Kentucky State University’s School of Agriculture, Communities, Environment, and the Sciences. I have always considered involving myself in soil and water quality for higher studies. I am working on an Evans Allen research project entitled “Impacts of contrasting farm practices on water quality over temporal and spatial scales”. The main objective of this project is to compare various nutrient sources regarding the reduction of loading of agrochemicals in the water bodies while simultaneously improving soil health and enhancing crop yields. I am currently an active member of the Association of "Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas (NAPA)" an organization dedicated to serving mankind through educational and scientific initiatives. I am a motivated, sincere, and hardworking graduate student who believes in learning through practicality and fostering innovative ideas into action to prove to be an asset to any organization.

Advisor:

Dr. Avinash Tope

Personal Description:

I am Bhoj Raj Bhattarai, from Beautiful Ghodaghodi, nested in the western part of Nepal. I am passionate traveler and explorer. Nepal is the country of majestic Himalayas and is the hub for spiritual and cultural exploration. My journey is rooted in the beauty of nature, where each path brings me closer to nature.
  Academic Background: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture specialization in plant pathology from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal in 2020.
 
Current Research:
 Title: Effects of Annonacin and 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) Individually and in Combination on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
 
Research Overview:
 Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer, is a prevalent malignancy that requires a multi-dimensional research approach to find a cure. With an increasing need to find effective treatments against cancer, my research delves deep into how Annonacin and 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Impact Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
 
Research Objectives:
 Cell viability and cell death quantification
 Measurement of cellular DNA damage and oxidative stress response
 Understanding oxidative stress and cellular defense mechanisms in cancer
 
Research Interest: Oncology, Cell Biology and Molecular Mechanism

Advisor:

Dr. Anuj Chiluwal

Personal Description:

Hi, I'm Deepak Khatri. Currently, I am pursuing my master's degree in environmental studies at Kentucky State University under the supervision of Dr. Anuj Chiluwal. My area of study is agronomy. I was born and raised in the Baglung district of Nepal; a small country situated in the arms of the Himalayas. A lot of my research interests revolve around sustainable crop production and precision agriculture; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). I did my undergraduate studies in Agricultural Science from the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), a renowned university in Nepal. Being from a farming family, I am always eager to learn and apply new agriculture practices for sustainable production to feed the growing population.  I am doing my research in soybean production where I am optimizing the level of nitrogen to see yield and seed composition, and my research title is "Biochar and late season Nitrogen fertilization effect on soybean yield and seed composition".  The main objective of the research is to Identify optimal N management practices to improve seed protein concentration and seed quality in soybeans. As part of this study, we will try to find a solution to the declining production of protein in soybeans in the US.  In addition, the study aims to determine how N fertilizer affects height, canopy, photosynthesis, and ultimately yield. We will carry out the research for two subsequent years, thus two-year data will be collected and analyzed.

Advisor:

Dr. Anuj Chiluwal

Personal Description:

I am Sudip Poudel, a passionate researcher and lifelong learner. I’m motivated to make meaningful contributions to the world through my research and academic pursuits.

 I was born in a beautiful hillside village on the lap of the mountain Machhapuchre, Parbat, Nepal, and raised in the heart of Nepal, Chitwan, known for its charming forests, friendly community, and proximity to rivers like ‘Narayani’,’Rapti’, and natural wetlands like Bishazari Lake. I completed my undergraduate degree as Bachelor of Horticultural Science at Mahendra Ratna Multiple campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, a renowned institution known for its cutting-edge research in agriculture and livestock in Nepal.

Currently, I’m deeply engaged in a crop physiological research project titled “Soybean seed growth and composition dynamics under different source-sink manipulations and Nitrogen inputs.” The primary objective of my research is to explore innovative strategies for increasing the seed size, seed number, and hence yield of the soybean with manipulation of leaves(source) and seeds(sink) that benefits soybean growers, ensuring a more sustainable and productive soybean industry. I aim to address pressing challenges to assess seed growth dynamics under control and increased assimilate supply during different seed filling periods.

Ultimately, my goal is to enhance our understanding of soybean source-sink dynamics i.e., to measure how the amount of assimilation supplied at various points throughout the seed filling stage affected the size of soybean seeds.

Besides my academia, I am an ardent sketch artist and landscape painter, dedicated to creating intricate and captivating artworks that capture the essence of nature and the human experience through the beauty of nature. I specialize in crafting detailed sketches and vibrant landscapes that carry viewers to the tranquil countryside, breathtaking mountains, or happy forest scenes, aiming to evoke the emotions and ambiance of each place in my art.

Advisor:

Shawn Lucas

Personal Description:

I am an MES graduate student at Kentucky State University. I am from Kanchanpur, a farwestern district of Nepal. I have my family background as a farmer and lived my childhood being very close to farming. That is why I chose agriculture as my academic career for contributing toward the betterment of the farmers. I did my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan. As a graduate student, I am currently working on a hemp project of Prof. Shawn Lucas that is related to soil health improvement. My research title is 'Impact of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) on soil health parameters under crop rotation system in Kentucky'. From this research, we are trying to investigate the influence of industrial hemp on different soil properties when used as a rotational crop.

 I am also current president of International Student and Scholar Association (ISSA) at KSU.

Advisor:

Shawn Lucas

Personal Description:

I am Manoj Paudel, Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University in Masters in Environmental Science (MES) Program. I am from Ghorahi, Dang, Nepal. I did my Undergraduate from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 2020. My current research is on 'Impact of Integrated Crop Livestock (ICL) Rotation on Soil Health in Organic System'. The research is being carried out at USDA Organic Certified Research Farm of Kentucky State University. The research objectives are to analyze the impact of ICL System on soil health parameters like water stable aggregates, labile carbon content and total carbon content. My hobbies include reading novels, hiking and travelling. I really like the geography and climatic condition of Frankfort, Kentucky.

Advisor:

Dr Buddhi Raj Gyawali

Personal Description:

I am Samuel Oluwamakinde Oshikoya, a Graduate Research Assistant. I am an individual who believes that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I hail from Ogun State (Sagamu) a town known for its bustling markets and economic activities. It is a hub for trade and commerce, where various goods and services are exchanged. Sagamu is rich in cultural traditions and festivals. Sagamu is home to several educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions. The town is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and natural attractions.

 I graduated from Osun State University, Oshogbo from the department of Agricultural Economics and Extension. The university places an emphasis on research and innovation. It encourages faculty and students to engage in research activities and has research centers and facilities to support these efforts.

I currently work with Dr Buddhi Gyawali on land use and cover change, farm diversification and productivity, climate change adaptation and mitigation, application of GIS and remote sensing in ecosystems studies. I look forward to achieving a number of objectives on the Assessment of drought vulnerability for Corn and Soybean Production in the Southeastern United States: A Comparative Study of some states in the United State:

i. To analyze the historical trends and patterns of drought severity in some states from 1980 to 2020 using the Gridded 180-day SPEI.

ii. To assess the impact of drought on corn and soybean production across small and large-scale farms in these states over the same period.

iii. To identify variations in drought impact and sensitivity based on land ownership and geographic location within counties.

 iv. To conduct a regular drought risk analysis to evaluate the evolution of climate-related vulnerability in these states and suggest adaptive and mitigation strategies.

Advisor:

Dr. George F. Antonious

Personal Description:

I am Basanta Neupane, hailing from Nepal. My academic journey led me to earn a bachelor's degree in agricultural science from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. During my undergraduate years, my research focused on studying the impact of seedling density on the growth characteristics of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis) cv. Super White top in field condition.

Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Environmental Studies at KSU while actively contributing as a graduate research assistant at the Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology lab under the guidance of Dr. George F. Antonious. I am involved in several ongoing research projects, specifically focusing on phytoremediation of environmental contaminants, and analyzing the effects of soil amendments on the yield and quality of various crops.

In one of our key research endeavors titled "Monitoring Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Using Root Crops Grown Under Four Soil Management Practices," my role encompasses diverse responsibilities. This project aims to comprehensively examine the metal composition of animal manure, including chicken, cow, and horse manure. Additionally, we are evaluating the influence of radish and carrot plants on the phytoremediation of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mn. Furthermore, we are assessing the impact of different types of animal manure (chicken, cow, horse) on the yield and quality of radish and carrot crops.

This research endeavor reflects my dedication to exploring innovative solutions for environmental challenges and underscores my commitment to advancing the field of environmental studies.

Advisor:

Dr. Buddhi Gyawali

Personal Description:

I am Dipesh Oli. I am from Nepal, the country of Himalaya. I have completed my Bachelor of science in agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. I love to explore new places and that hubby has driven me to the USA. I worked as a livelihood field officer for almost one year at world vision International Nepal funded program. I worked closely with the farmers of rural areas of udayapur to enhance their agricultural production improving their living standards. I enrolled in the MES program at Kentucky State University in fall 2023. I am currently working under Professor Dr. Buddhi Gyawali as a graduate research assistant. I am working on estimation and modeling of aboveground biomass and carbon stock in reclaimed mined areas in eastern Kentucky. I will be using Geospatial and remote sensing techniques to estimate biomass and other vegetation indices from satellite imagery. Field data will also be collected to validate the data from satellite imagery. This research will be useful to assess the ecological status of the research site and other areas with similar environmental conditions. Quantification of plant biomass and carbon stock is very important for global climate change assessment, and terrestrial ecosystems carbon cycle. Therefore, this research is going to be very useful for governments and environmentalists to develop sustainable development strategies.

Advisor:

Yun Jiang

Personal Description:

My name is Happiness Ajayi, originally from Ibadan, one of Nigeria's largest cities. Ibadan is proudly known for hosting institutions like the University of Ibadan, established in 1948, Nigeria's oldest university, and the Cocoa House, the first skyscraper in West Africa built-in 1965. Additionally, Ibadan is home to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

I had my first degree from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, from the Department of Animal Production and Health where my interest in ruminant nutrition began. My research interests span a diverse range of topics within ruminant nutrition and sustainability. I am deeply committed to fostering a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between agriculture and the environment. At Kentucky State University, my research pursuits encompass several dimensions. One facet of my research delves into metabolomics, exploring the intricate metabolic processes within ruminants, to gain insights into their nutritional requirements and metabolic efficiency. This in-depth understanding of metabolomics will contribute to the development of more precise dietary strategies for enhancing cattle health and productivity.

Additionally, my research extends to the investigation of hemp byproducts as a protein source for beef cattle, analyzing their effects on cattle performance and their potential for mitigating methane emissions considering that hemp production was recently legalized in Kentucky state.  Furthermore, I will explore the impact of varying levels of distillery stillage inclusion in cattle diets. Given Kentucky's prominence as the highest producer of bourbon in the United States, the examination of stillage, a waste of the bourbon industry, is of particular significance. My research endeavors aim to elucidate how this waste product can be harnessed to benefit Kentucky's beef farmers and reduce pollution – one major threat to environmental sustainability.

Advisor:

Dr. Kirk Pomper

Personal Description:

I am Subas Thapa Magar, a graduate research assistant at Kentucky State University, working under the supervision of Dr. Kirk Pomper. Currently, I am in my second semester of studies.

I come from Ramnagar Mirchaiya 05, Siraha, Nepal, and I came here to pursue my Master of Science in Environmental Studies. My hometown, located in Madhesh Pradesh, is predominantly inhabited by Madheshi people, and our community has been living there for generations. It is a newly emerging city in Madhesh Pradesh where we can find a peculiar flower that blooms only for a single day on the New Year in my country. The holy river Kamala Mai flows through it, and the city is renowned for its mango production. In the past, this city served as the entry point for Mount Everest when there was no transportation infrastructure. It was the route taken by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa to successfully conquer Mount Everest. However, for career opportunities, my father used to work in Pokhara, which is 10 hours away from my hometown. Therefore, I continued most of my academic journey in Pokhara, where I completed my undergraduate degree in Sociology and English at Prithvi Narayan Campus. I have also earned double degrees from Tribhuvan University in English and Sociology.

I am delighted to work under the guidance of Mr. Kirk Pomper. Currently, my research focuses on identifying pollinator types in both flowering and non-flowering branches of Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba) cultivars, specifically 'Sunflower' and 'Susquehanna.' This study aims to determine the types and abundance of insects that visit the flowering and non-flowering limbs of these two pawpaw cultivars."

Advisor:

Dr. Farida Azzouz Olden

Personal Description:

My name is Santosh Ghimire. I am a graduate student in MES program as well as Graduate Research Assistant in Bee Genomics Laboratory at Kentucky State University. I am an international student here at KSU and I come from Nepal. My country is landlocked and consists of mainly three geological regions: Mountain, Hills and Plains. My hometown is a valley surrounded by hills on all sides.
 I did my undergraduate from Lamjung Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Tribhuvan University.
 My current research is on Bee Nutrition and Genomics. I am testing the effect of enhanced pollen substitute on the various bee health indicators. Some highlights of my research are molecular analyses such as protein content analysis, gene expression of vital genes via qPCR and estimation of richness and quantity of the bee gut microbiota.
 The title of my research is, "Enhancement of a Pollen Substitute to Promote Honey Bee Health".

Advisor:

Dr. Buddhi Gyawali

Personal Description:

I am Shreesha Pandeya. I am originally from Nepal. I completed my undergraduate studies at Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal. I did my major in B.Sc. Agriculture. Following that, I chose Kentucky State University for my Master's Degree in Environment Studies. Talking about my research area, it is an interesting fusion of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing to identify the core problems of the environment and bring solutions to it. To be precise, the title of my research reads "Assessing contemporary and future land use land cover changes and ecosystem services in eastern Kentucky". The main objectives of my research are to understand current and future land use land cover (LULC) dynamics in surface mining and reclamation area in eastern Kentucky and assess the ecosystem services under contemporary and projected land use land cover change.

Advisor:

Dr. Maheteme Gebremedhin

Personal Description:

I am Ganga Paudel. I am from Nepal. I completed my Undergraduate degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.  I am a graduate student in Kentucky State University working under Dr. Maheteme Gebremedhin on Biochar project. My research focuses on how varying rate of biochar affect the soil physical properties especially water holding capacity.

Photo:

Advisor:

Dr. Andrew James Ray

Personal Description:

Gyanu Rana is a graduate student in the Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences program at Kentucky State University and working as a graduate research assistant in Dr. Andrew J. Ray's Water Quality
 Lab. She hails from Tilottama 14 - Khairiya, a small village, in beautiful country Nepal and has completed her B.Sc. in Agriculture Science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She had assessed the effect of different organic manures on growth, yield, and quality of radish (Raphanus Sativus) during her undergraduate practicum assessment. Currently, as a part of her job in Dr. Ray's lab, she has been assisting to carry out research projects related to brackish water aquaponics, aquaculture water quality, and marine species like Pacific white shrimp and Japanese olive flounder production in Recirculating Aquaculture System. She has completed her research experiment entitled "The effects of system type and horizontal substrate addition on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production and water quality in RAS". The objectives of her study are to compare clear water and hybrid recirculating aquaculture systems as well as to assess the effects of horizontal substrate on shrimp production and water quality in RAS.