WHO WE ARE ?

 

The US-Nepal Policy Research Center was founded in March 2016 as a non-profit (501 c3) educational, social, economic policy research center. It is based in the USA. It envisions to advance policy research to address some of the United States and Nepal’s challenges. Most of its members are professionals and drawn from government institutions, private sectors, and academia. The Executive Committee is responsible for the general administration of the organization. The policies and programs’ direction is vested in the President assisted by the Executive Officer/Member Secretary.

OUR VISION

The US-Nepal Policy Research Center envisions to advance policy research to address some of the United States and Nepal's challenges.

VISION

The US-Nepal Policy Research Center It envisions to advance policy research to address some of the United States and Nepal's challenges.

OUR MISSION

Devoted to members and advancing the field of education, economic, social, political science and policy through research, training, professional development programs, and sharing knowledge and experience through training and seminar.

MISSION

Devoted to members and advancing the field of education, economic, social, political science and policy through research, training, professional development programs, and sharing knowledge and experience through training and seminar.

ABOUT US

US-NPRC has been conducting research and discussions on the importance of strong institutions, the causes and effects of corruption in Nepal, and how knowledge, innovation, and institutions could strengthen Nepal’s inclusive socio-economic development.

The Discussions and Conferences Held in Different Cities and Universities in The USA,

Are as Follows:

Nepal’s K-12 School Education: local & Global Perspectives." May 22, 2022, Zoom Conference.

Institutional Perspectives of Higher Education in Nepal : Past, Present & Future." December 19, 2021, Zoom Conference.

Crisis In Political Institutions And Electoral Reform In Nepal." September 12, 2020, Zoom Conference. 

Technology For Development, Transparency & Good Governance." May 25, 2019, University Of California, Berkeley.

Institutionalizing The Human Capital For Inclusive Development." August 25, 2018, Harvard University, Boston.

Science And Policy To Accelerate The Smart Growth Under The New Constitution, Newer Institutions, And Old Leadership In Nepal." 2017, Virginia.

The US-NPRC Inaugural Conference," 2016, Chicago

OBJECTIVES

To collaborate and foster relationships with experts and institutions in the United States and Nepal, engaged in research and policies related to its mission.

To conduct studies, research, and analysis on some of Nepal’s challenges and contribute to the policy-making process.

To suggest relevant policies that have a local, regional, national, and global impact.

To disseminate information and exchange ideas on issues and concerns of common interests

CURRENT EXECUTIVE TEAM

JAGADAMBA ADHIKAREE, MSW
President
Jagadamba Adhikaree is a Senior Medical Social Worker at University Of Washington Medical Center. She received her Masters of Social Work degree from University of Washington. Her expertise are in community resources such as healthcare related services, insurance, low income housing, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and other government assistance programs. She advocates for patients, elderly and other vulnerable people.
KUL KAPRI, Ph. D.
Executive Officer/ Memb Secretary
Dr. Kul Kapri is an Associate Professor of Economics at Rowan University. Dr. Kapri earned his PhD in Economics from Maxwell School, Syracuse University, NY, USA in 2014. He has a master’s degree in Mathematics from Western Illinois University, USA; and a master’s degree in Statistics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. His research interests are in International Economics, Economic Development, and Applied Microeconomics. His scholarly work has been published in many prestigious peer review journals such as International Review of Economics & Finance, Review of Development Economics, World Development Perspectives, Economies, Sustainability, and Journal of Development Innovations. Currently, he is also serving as a Director of Center for Social Science Research at Rowan University.
TARUN POUDEL
Spokesperson
Tarun Poudel is originally from Syangja, and owns the Gajjab Home Inspection in Baltimore, MD. He is a Fully Insured and National Certified Professional Home Inspector and Licensed & Bonded Public Adjuster (Home & Business Property & Casualty Claim Specialist) in Maryland & Virginia. He did his Masters in Media Management as well as studied Building Science from Towson University. In the past, he worked as a Media person in Nepal.
SUBODH REGMI, MS
Member
Subodh Regmi is an IT Management professional currently working at a financial institution in Arlington, Virginia. He holds a master's degree in Technology Management from George Mason University.
GHANSHYAM BHATT, Ph. D.
Member
Associate professor of Mathematics at Tennessee State University. Originally Dr. Bhatt is from the Doti district of Nepal. He has a master's degree in Mathematics from Tribhuvan University and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from Iowa State University.
BHOJ BAHADUR BALAYAR
Member
Bhoj B. Balayar is currently a Ph. D. candidate in Educational Psychology at University of North Texas and working as research assistant. He obtained his M. Phil. in Educational Psychology and Administration from Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, Denmark, and M. Ed. in Education from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. He was involved in educational policy, planning, research, and developmental initiative for more than 18 years under the Ministry of Education, Nepal with different leading roles. His professional interests are concentrated on human socioemotional experiences, psychosocial behavior, happiness, success etc. connecting eastern humanistic psychological paradigm with modern psychology, technology and social media dominated society.
DR. SUDIKSHYA BASKOTA, ND
Member
Dr. Sudikshya Baskota is a Primary care Physician in the state of WA. She graduated with a doctorate from Bastyr University and completed a competitive teaching residency in family medicine at the teaching clinic of Bastyr University. Currently, she divides her time between her private practice and teaching clinic as an adjunct faculty.She is also an educator and advocate of bringing preventative health care to minority groups. Her areas of interest are menstrual issues, pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, digestive disorders, anxiety, depression, burnout, stress management, thyroid disorder, sleep issues, preventative medicine.
TIRTHA RAJ JOSHI, Ph. D.
Member
Tirtha Raj Joshi received Ph. D. in physics from University of Nevada, Reno, and M. S. in physics from University of Akron, OH. Before coming to the USA, he completed his M. Sc and B. Sc in physics from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. He is currently working as a research scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester, New York. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM, USA. He is interested in experimental and computational research in high energy density physics including direct-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments, ablation and shock physics in high-intensity laser-matter interactions and x-ray spectroscopy of plasmas.
ISHOR SHRESTHA, Ph. D.
Member
Ishor Shrestha was born in Gorkha. His graduate studies (M.Sc.) have been in Physics from Tribhuvan University. He got Ph. D. from UNR in 2010. His doctoral research in Wire array Z-pinch Plasma Physics from University of Nevada, Reno has been on study of radiation dynamics of wire array Z-pinch Physics and study of generation of soft and hard x-ray and electron beam in wire array and x-pinch physics. The research of Dr Shrestha on nature and properties of hard X-rays and electron beams is extremely important for Z-pinch Physics and for all member of Z-pinch community. It represents an important step on the road of developing of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and application in radiation Physics. He has published more than 110 scientific journals in various prestigious journals. He has acquired his research work in different laboratories such as Z-pinch generator in University of Nevada Reno, LTD pulsed power generator at University of Michigan, Cobra generator at Cornell University and Plasma Physics and Diagnostics Laboratory at University of Nevada, Reno, NV. He is working at Department of Physics, UNR as a Research scientist.
RAJAN PANT , Ph. D.
Immediate Past President
Rajan Pant, Ph. D. in Sociology, University of Missouri-Kansas City; M. A. in Sociology, UMKC; M. A. in English Literature, M. A. in Cultural Anthropology, Tribhuvan University; B. A., B. Ed. both from TU, Kathmandu, Nepal. Coming from a background that includes INGO programs implementation and research, Rajan worked at policy level in the Ministry of Education in Nepal. In the US, Rajan has been teaching different courses in Sociology for more than a decade. His experience/interest within sociological framework includes, but not limited to, Adolescent Issues, South Asians in America: Women's Empowerment and Segmented Assimilation, Sociology of Gender and Family Studies: Cross-cultural perspectives, Social Stratification, Urban Sprawl and Expansion of Exurb.
AMOD K. POKHREL, Ph. D.
Past President
Amod Pokhrel teaches (Teaching Faculty) Environmental Health Sciences in the MPH curriculum at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his MS and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Recently, he led the clean cooking alliance funded action research, “Maximizing the health benefits of clean cooking in urban Nepal.” For the last twelve years, his research has focused on environmental and occupational health-related to household energy generation and uses in developing countries. His research involves exposure science, energy access and climate change, and environmental epidemiology studies. His research has appeared in many high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.

PAST EXECUTIVE TEAM 2019-2022

RAJAN PANT, Ph. D.
President
Rajan Pant, Ph. D. in Sociology, University of Missouri-Kansas City; M. A. in Sociology, UMKC; M. A. in English Literature, M. A. in Cultural Anthropology, Tribhuvan University; B. A., B. Ed. both from TU, Kathmandu, Nepal. Coming from a background that includes INGO programs implementation and research, Rajan worked at policy level in the Ministry of Education in Nepal. In the US, Rajan has been teaching different courses in Sociology for more than a decade. His experience/interest within sociological framework includes, but not limited to, Adolescent Issues, South Asians in America: Women's Empowerment and Segmented Assimilation, Sociology of Gender and Family Studies: Cross-cultural perspectives, Social Stratification, Urban Sprawl and Expansion of Exurb.
SUMAN PARAJULI, Ph. D.
Executive Officer/ Memb Secretary
Suman Parajuli is currently a Professor of Chemistry at Arizona Western College. Yuma, AZ. He obtained his Master of Philosophy (MPhil) from Kathmandu University in Chemistry and PhD from The University of Southern Mississippi in Electroanalytical Chemistry. His research focus involves detection of peroxide-based explosives and use of quantum dot nanoparticles in the detection of biomolecules.
TARUN POUDEL
Spokesperson
Tarun Poudel is originally from Syangja, and owns the Gajjab Home Inspection in Baltimore, MD. He is a Fully Insured and National Certified Professional Home Inspector and Licensed & Bonded Public Adjuster (Home & Business Property & Casualty Claim Specialist) in Maryland & Virginia. He did his Masters in Media Management as well as studied Building Science from Towson University. In the past, he worked as a Media person in Nepal.
JAGADAMBA ADHIKAREE, MSW
Member
Jagadamba Adhikaree is a Senior Medical Social Worker at University Of Washington Medical Center. She received her Masters of Social Work degree from University of Washington. Her expertise are in community resources such as healthcare related services, insurance, low income housing, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and other government assistance programs. She advocates for patients, elderly and other vulnerable people.
SHRISHTI BHATTARAI
Member
Shrishti is pursuing her medical degree from Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) at Fort Smith, AR.
ISHOR SHRESTHA, Ph. D.
Member
Ishor Shrestha was born in Gorkha. His graduate studies (M.Sc.) have been in Physics from Tribhuvan University. He got Ph. D. from UNR in 2010. His doctoral research in Wire array Z-pinch Plasma Physics from University of Nevada, Reno has been on study of radiation dynamics of wire array Z-pinch Physics and study of generation of soft and hard x-ray and electron beam in wire array and x-pinch physics. The research of Dr Shrestha on nature and properties of hard X-rays and electron beams is extremely important for Z-pinch Physics and for all member of Z-pinch community. It represents an important step on the road of developing of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and application in radiation Physics. He has published more than 110 scientific journals in various prestigious journals. He has acquired his research work in different laboratories such as Z-pinch generator in University of Nevada Reno, LTD pulsed power generator at University of Michigan, Cobra generator at Cornell University and Plasma Physics and Diagnostics Laboratory at University of Nevada, Reno, NV. He is working at Department of Physics, UNR as a Research scientist.
DESH RAJ SONYOK, Ph. D.
Member
Desh Raj Sonyok is a civil/geotechnical engineer and is currently working in Washington DC metro area. Dr. Sonyok is a highly motivated and accomplished civil/geotechnical engineer with 10+ years of research, teaching, and professional experience in the areas of experimental geotechnics, tunneling, instrumentation and monitoring, geo-structural analysis and design, infrastructure economics, and engineering project management. He has involved in diverse and challenging infrastructure projects ranging from residential developments to large industrial facilities as well as public sectors such as cities, municipalities, and state and federal agencies. His professional interests are tunneling, hydropower, roadway infrastructure, non-destructive testing, ground improvement, and infrastructure economics. However, he is also deeply interested in digital diaspora networks and diaspora engagement in economic development through investment, knowledge flows, technology transfer etc. He holds Master’s degree in geology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, Master’s degree in civil engineering from Kyushu University, Japan and Ph. D. degree in civil engineering with specialization in geotechnical engineering from New Mexico State University, USA. He is also an avid martial artist with extensive background of Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Judo, Jiujutsu, and Mixed Martial Arts. He holds black belt in Taekwondo and purple belt in Judo. He has received various medals on Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and Bodybuilding championships. He lives in Washington DC metro area with his wife and son.
ISHOR SHRESTHA, Ph. D.
Member
Ishor Shrestha was born in Gorkha. His graduate studies (M.Sc.) have been in Physics from Tribhuvan University. He got Ph. D. from UNR in 2010. His doctoral research in Wire array Z-pinch Plasma Physics from University of Nevada, Reno has been on study of radiation dynamics of wire array Z-pinch Physics and study of generation of soft and hard x-ray and electron beam in wire array and x-pinch physics. The research of Dr Shrestha on nature and properties of hard X-rays and electron beams is extremely important for Z-pinch Physics and for all member of Z-pinch community. It represents an important step on the road of developing of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) and application in radiation Physics. He has published more than 110 scientific journals in various prestigious journals. He has acquired his research work in different laboratories such as Z-pinch generator in University of Nevada Reno, LTD pulsed power generator at University of Michigan, Cobra generator at Cornell University and Plasma Physics and Diagnostics Laboratory at University of Nevada, Reno, NV. He is working at Department of Physics, UNR as a Research scientist.
LEKH ADHIKARI, Ph. D.
Member
Lekh Adhikari is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Rappahannock Community College, Virginia. He holds a PhD in chemistry from University of Nevada, Reno and M. Sc. in chemistry from Trivbhuvan University. He has a strong interest in science, technology, higher education, and professional networking among many others.
DEEN BHATTA
Member
Deen Bhatta is a Consultant at Harvard University. Prior to this, he worked as a Staff Scientist and a member of the Advance Technology Team (ATT) at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. He received his M.S. from Miami University of Ohio and M.Sc. from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. Bhatta's research interests focus on drug development and delivery, nanotherapeutics, and novel powder process development. He is an expert in small molecule encapsulations and Nanoparticle Aggregate formulations and preparations via spray drying. In addition, he has an extensive experience in aerosolized vaccine and pulmonary drug development.

PAST EVENTS