Suman Neupane
Department of Biology
Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306
USA
Department Website
Google scholar profile
Research Interests
Plant Systematics | Macroevolution | Phylogenetics Theory & Comparative Methods | Bioinformatics |
Education
2014- 2016: PhD, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Dissertation: Phylogenetics, Secondary Wood Evolution and Diversification in Asian- Pacific Hedyotis-Oldenlandia Complex (Rubiaceae).
Advisor: Paul O. Lewis
2008– 2013: Graduate student, Old Dominion University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Norfolk, VA USA
Advisor: Timothy J. Motley
2006: Master of Science in Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Advisor: Krishna K. Shrestha
2001: BS in Biology, Amrit Science College, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Employment
Assistant Professor and Curator of the MUR herbarium (2023-current): Ball State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences.
Assistant Professor and Curator of the MUR herbarium (2020-2023): Murray State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences.
Postdoctoral Associate (2018-2020), Virginia Tech.
Project: Morphological species delimitation of phylogenetically structured data
Advisor: Josef Uyeda
Postdoctoral Associate (2017-2018), University of Connecticut.
Project: Estimating the Bayesian phylogenetic information content of systematic data.
Advisors: Louise A. Lewis and Paul O. Lewis
Publications
Quang, B.H., Nguyen, K.S., Le, T.A., Nguyen, Q.L., Ngo, D.H.V., Wu, L. and Neupane, S. 2023. Hedyotis konhanungensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from the central highlands of Vietnam. PhytoKeys, 221, p.73.
doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.221.95895
Rosa A Sánchez-Guillén, Sara F Ceccarelli, Fabricio Villalobos, Suman Neupane, Anais Rivas-Torres, Iago Sanmartín-Villar, Maren Wellenreuther, Seth M Bybee, María I Velásquez-Vélez, Emilio Realpe, Jesús R Chávez-Ríos, Henri J Dumont& Adolfo Cordero-Rivera. 2020. The evolutionary history of colour polymorphism in Ischnura damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica 49(3/4) 2020: 333O-370
doi: 10.5281/zenodo:.4268550
Fučíková K., Lewis, P.O., Neupane, S., Karol, K.G., Lewis, L.A. 2019. Order, please! Uncertainty in the ordinal-level classification of Chlorophyceae. PeerJ 7:e6899
doi: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6899
Neupane, S., Fucikova, K., Lewis, L. A., Chen, M. U., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P.O. 2019. Assessing Combinability of Phylogenomic Data under Bayesian context. Systematic Biology.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syz007
Paudyal, S. K., Delprete, P. G., Neupane, S., Motley, T. J. 2018. Molecular phylogeny and generic delimitations within the tribe Chiococceae (Cinchonoideae, Rubiaceae). Botanical Journal of Linnaean Society.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boy029
Neupane, S.,Lewis, P. O., Dessein, S. Paudyal, S. K., Shanks, H. & Lens, F. 2017. Evolution of woody life form on tropical mountains in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). American Journal of Botany 104 (3): 1-20.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1600248
Lewis, P. O., M. H. Chen, L. Kuo, L. A. Lewis, K. Fučíková, S. Neupane, Y. B. Wang, and D. Shi. 2016. Estimating Bayesian phylogenetic information content. Systematic Biology 65: 1009–1023.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syw042
Merckx V.S.F.T., Hendriks K.P., Beentjes K.K., Mennes C.B., Becking L.E., Peijnenburg K.T.C.A., Afendy A., Arumugam N., de Boer H., Biun A., Buang M.M., Chen P.-P., Chung A.Y.C., Dow R., Feijen F.A.A., Feijen H., Feijen-van Soest C, Geml J., Geurts R., Gravendeel B., Hovenkamp P., Imbun P., Ipor I., Janssens S.B., Jocqué M. Kappes H., Khoo E., Koomen P., Lens F., Majapun R.J., Morgado L.N., Neupane S., Nieser N., Pereira J.T., Rahman H., Sabran S., Sawang A., Schwallier R.M., Shim P.-S., Smit H., Sol N., Spait M., Stech M., Stokvis F., Sugau J.B., Suleiman M., Sumail S., Thomas D.C., van Tol J., Tuh F.Y.Y., Yahya B.E., Nais J., Repin R., Lakim M. & Schilthuizen M. 2015. Evolution of endemism on a young tropical mountain. Nature524: 347-350.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature14949
Neupane, S., Dessein, S. Wikstorm, N., Lewis, P. O., Long, Chunlin, Bremer, B., & Motley, T. J. 2015. The Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae) in Asia and the Pacific: phylogeny revisited with new generic combinations. Taxon 64 (2): 299-322.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/642.8
Wikstorm, N., Neupane, S., Karehed, J., Motley, T. J., & Bremer, B. 2013. Phylogeny of Hedyotis L. (Spermacoceae, Rubiaceae): Redefining a Complex Asian-Pacific Assemblage. Taxon 62 (2): 357-374.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/622.2
Neupane, S., Dessein, S, Motley, T. J. 2009. The Hedyotis – Oldenlandia – Kohautia complex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 66: 371-390.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960428609990035
Awards and Scholarships
2017: Sibbald Trust Award, Edinburgh Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, UK. £1,660.00
2016: Doctoral dissertation fellowship, The Graduate School, University of Connecticut. $2000.
2016. Demi Fellowships. EEB department, University of Connecticut. $6283.
2012-2014: National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. $14,541.00.
2012: American Society of Plant Taxonomist Graduate Student Research Grant. $800.
2012: Workshop on Advances in Multiple Sequence Alignment and Phylogeny Estimation. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. $350.
2010: ASPT Travel Grant for Botany 2010, Providence, RI, American Society of Plant Taxonomy. $300.
2009: Delzie Demaree Travel Award, Missouri Botanical Garden Annual Botanical Symposium. $350.
2008-2012: Dominion Scholarship in Ecological Sciences, Old Dominion University. 5 years of guaranteed funding through RA or TA ships.
Teaching Experience
Spring 2016: Teaching Assistant, Phylogenetics (EEB 5349), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Fall 2014: Teaching Assistant, Botany (BIOL 1110), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Spring 2014-Spring 2015: Teaching Assistant, Foundations in Biology (BIOL 1102), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Spring 2010-Spring 2013: Teaching Assistant, General Biology, Old Dominion University.
Spring 2009: Teaching Assistant, Botany, Old Dominion University.
Fall 2009: Teaching Assistant, Plant Physiology, Old Dominion University.
2006-2007: Academic In-charge, Serene Valley School (now Apex Life School), Kathmandu, Nepal.
2005-2006: High School Biology teacher, Serene Valley School (now Apex Life School), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Scientific Presentations
Neupane, S. Systematics and Evolutionary Processes in Flowering Plants with Focus on the Coffee Family (Rubiaceae). 2018. Virginia Native Plant Society, Blacksburg, VA. USA
Neupane, S., Fučíková, K., Chen, M. U., Lewis, L. A., Kyo, L., & Lewis. Testing Congruence in Phylogenomic Data using Bayes Factors. Bayesian Modeling, Computation, and Applications, A Conference in Honor of Lynn Kuo. 2018. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. USA (Invited talk).
Neupane, S., Lewis, L. A., Chen, M. U., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P. O. Measuring Divergence Time Information Content. 2018 Society of Systematic Biology standalone meeting, Columbus, OH, USA.
Neupane, S., Fučíková, K., Chen, M. U., Lewis, L. A., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P. O. 2017. Assessing Combinability of Phylogenomic Data under Bayesian context. Evolution 2017, Portland, OR, USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution and diversification of woody life form on tropical mountains in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). Botany 2016, Savannah, GA, USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution of secondary woodiness and biogeographic disjunctions in the herbaceous tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). EEB Graduate Student Symposium, University of Connecticut, CT. USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution of secondary woodiness in Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae) in Asia and the Pacific. Evolution 2014, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Neupane, S. Origin and diversification of Hedyotis-Oldenlandiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Asia and the Pacific. Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2013. New generic combinations within Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae). Botany 2013, New Orleans, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2013. Origin and diversification of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae) in Asia. Annual BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, VA, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2011. Phylogeny of Asian Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae): A model group for studying historical biogeography of Asian flora and evolution of secondary woodiness in insular settings. Minzu University, Beijing, China (Invited talk).
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2011. Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae) in Asia-Pacific: Phylogeny, Biogeography and Character Evolution. Annual BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, VA, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2010. Phylogeny of Asian-pacific Shrubby Hedyotis L. (Spermacoceae) and Preliminary Evaluations of Biogeographic Patterns, Insular Woodiness, and Fruit Evolution. The Fifth International Rubiaceae and Gentianales Conference Stockholm, Sweden.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2010. Search for “true Hedyotis” (Rubiaceae) in Asia and its biogeographic implications. Botany 2010, Providence, RI, USA.
Neupane, S., Dessein, Motley, T. J. 2009. The Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA.
Neupane, S., Dessein, S., Motley, T. J. 2008. The Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. IV International Rubiaceae (Gentianales) Conference, Xalapa, Mexico.
Synergistic Activities
Skills
Programming/computational: Python, Phylogenetics methods, familiar with R and C++.
Wet lab methods: DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing. Genome sequence assembly and annotation. Plant anatomical techniques, SEM, TEM.
Professional Training
2017: Introduction to Flipped Classes, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
2015: Workshop on Molecular Evolution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
2013: Plant anatomical techniques, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Netherlands.
2013: Workshop in Applied Phylogenetics, Bodega Bay, CA, USA.
2012: Workshop on Advances in Multiple Sequence Alignment and Phylogeny Estimation. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA.
Languages
Nepalese (Native), English (Fluent), Hindi (Fluent).
Field Experience
Nepal: Southern plains (2003, 2004, 2005), Central Eastern Himalaya region (2004, 2008);
Mexico (2008)
Sri Lanka (2009)
India (2009)
United States: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia (2009-2012)
China:Guangdong & Hainan (2012); Thailand (2012); Cambodia (2012);India (2012); Nepal (2012).
Department of Biology
Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306
USA
Department Website
Google scholar profile
Research Interests
Plant Systematics | Macroevolution | Phylogenetics Theory & Comparative Methods | Bioinformatics |
Education
2014- 2016: PhD, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
Dissertation: Phylogenetics, Secondary Wood Evolution and Diversification in Asian- Pacific Hedyotis-Oldenlandia Complex (Rubiaceae).
Advisor: Paul O. Lewis
2008– 2013: Graduate student, Old Dominion University, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Norfolk, VA USA
Advisor: Timothy J. Motley
2006: Master of Science in Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Advisor: Krishna K. Shrestha
2001: BS in Biology, Amrit Science College, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Employment
Assistant Professor and Curator of the MUR herbarium (2023-current): Ball State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences.
Assistant Professor and Curator of the MUR herbarium (2020-2023): Murray State University, Dept. of Biological Sciences.
Postdoctoral Associate (2018-2020), Virginia Tech.
Project: Morphological species delimitation of phylogenetically structured data
Advisor: Josef Uyeda
Postdoctoral Associate (2017-2018), University of Connecticut.
Project: Estimating the Bayesian phylogenetic information content of systematic data.
Advisors: Louise A. Lewis and Paul O. Lewis
Publications
Quang, B.H., Nguyen, K.S., Le, T.A., Nguyen, Q.L., Ngo, D.H.V., Wu, L. and Neupane, S. 2023. Hedyotis konhanungensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from the central highlands of Vietnam. PhytoKeys, 221, p.73.
doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.221.95895
Rosa A Sánchez-Guillén, Sara F Ceccarelli, Fabricio Villalobos, Suman Neupane, Anais Rivas-Torres, Iago Sanmartín-Villar, Maren Wellenreuther, Seth M Bybee, María I Velásquez-Vélez, Emilio Realpe, Jesús R Chávez-Ríos, Henri J Dumont& Adolfo Cordero-Rivera. 2020. The evolutionary history of colour polymorphism in Ischnura damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica 49(3/4) 2020: 333O-370
doi: 10.5281/zenodo:.4268550
Fučíková K., Lewis, P.O., Neupane, S., Karol, K.G., Lewis, L.A. 2019. Order, please! Uncertainty in the ordinal-level classification of Chlorophyceae. PeerJ 7:e6899
doi: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6899
Neupane, S., Fucikova, K., Lewis, L. A., Chen, M. U., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P.O. 2019. Assessing Combinability of Phylogenomic Data under Bayesian context. Systematic Biology.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syz007
Paudyal, S. K., Delprete, P. G., Neupane, S., Motley, T. J. 2018. Molecular phylogeny and generic delimitations within the tribe Chiococceae (Cinchonoideae, Rubiaceae). Botanical Journal of Linnaean Society.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/botlinnean/boy029
Neupane, S.,Lewis, P. O., Dessein, S. Paudyal, S. K., Shanks, H. & Lens, F. 2017. Evolution of woody life form on tropical mountains in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). American Journal of Botany 104 (3): 1-20.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3732/ajb.1600248
Lewis, P. O., M. H. Chen, L. Kuo, L. A. Lewis, K. Fučíková, S. Neupane, Y. B. Wang, and D. Shi. 2016. Estimating Bayesian phylogenetic information content. Systematic Biology 65: 1009–1023.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syw042
Merckx V.S.F.T., Hendriks K.P., Beentjes K.K., Mennes C.B., Becking L.E., Peijnenburg K.T.C.A., Afendy A., Arumugam N., de Boer H., Biun A., Buang M.M., Chen P.-P., Chung A.Y.C., Dow R., Feijen F.A.A., Feijen H., Feijen-van Soest C, Geml J., Geurts R., Gravendeel B., Hovenkamp P., Imbun P., Ipor I., Janssens S.B., Jocqué M. Kappes H., Khoo E., Koomen P., Lens F., Majapun R.J., Morgado L.N., Neupane S., Nieser N., Pereira J.T., Rahman H., Sabran S., Sawang A., Schwallier R.M., Shim P.-S., Smit H., Sol N., Spait M., Stech M., Stokvis F., Sugau J.B., Suleiman M., Sumail S., Thomas D.C., van Tol J., Tuh F.Y.Y., Yahya B.E., Nais J., Repin R., Lakim M. & Schilthuizen M. 2015. Evolution of endemism on a young tropical mountain. Nature524: 347-350.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature14949
Neupane, S., Dessein, S. Wikstorm, N., Lewis, P. O., Long, Chunlin, Bremer, B., & Motley, T. J. 2015. The Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae) in Asia and the Pacific: phylogeny revisited with new generic combinations. Taxon 64 (2): 299-322.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/642.8
Wikstorm, N., Neupane, S., Karehed, J., Motley, T. J., & Bremer, B. 2013. Phylogeny of Hedyotis L. (Spermacoceae, Rubiaceae): Redefining a Complex Asian-Pacific Assemblage. Taxon 62 (2): 357-374.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12705/622.2
Neupane, S., Dessein, S, Motley, T. J. 2009. The Hedyotis – Oldenlandia – Kohautia complex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 66: 371-390.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960428609990035
Awards and Scholarships
2017: Sibbald Trust Award, Edinburgh Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, UK. £1,660.00
2016: Doctoral dissertation fellowship, The Graduate School, University of Connecticut. $2000.
2016. Demi Fellowships. EEB department, University of Connecticut. $6283.
2012-2014: National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant. $14,541.00.
2012: American Society of Plant Taxonomist Graduate Student Research Grant. $800.
2012: Workshop on Advances in Multiple Sequence Alignment and Phylogeny Estimation. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. $350.
2010: ASPT Travel Grant for Botany 2010, Providence, RI, American Society of Plant Taxonomy. $300.
2009: Delzie Demaree Travel Award, Missouri Botanical Garden Annual Botanical Symposium. $350.
2008-2012: Dominion Scholarship in Ecological Sciences, Old Dominion University. 5 years of guaranteed funding through RA or TA ships.
Teaching Experience
Spring 2016: Teaching Assistant, Phylogenetics (EEB 5349), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Fall 2014: Teaching Assistant, Botany (BIOL 1110), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Spring 2014-Spring 2015: Teaching Assistant, Foundations in Biology (BIOL 1102), EEB department, University of Connecticut.
Spring 2010-Spring 2013: Teaching Assistant, General Biology, Old Dominion University.
Spring 2009: Teaching Assistant, Botany, Old Dominion University.
Fall 2009: Teaching Assistant, Plant Physiology, Old Dominion University.
2006-2007: Academic In-charge, Serene Valley School (now Apex Life School), Kathmandu, Nepal.
2005-2006: High School Biology teacher, Serene Valley School (now Apex Life School), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Scientific Presentations
Neupane, S. Systematics and Evolutionary Processes in Flowering Plants with Focus on the Coffee Family (Rubiaceae). 2018. Virginia Native Plant Society, Blacksburg, VA. USA
Neupane, S., Fučíková, K., Chen, M. U., Lewis, L. A., Kyo, L., & Lewis. Testing Congruence in Phylogenomic Data using Bayes Factors. Bayesian Modeling, Computation, and Applications, A Conference in Honor of Lynn Kuo. 2018. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. USA (Invited talk).
Neupane, S., Lewis, L. A., Chen, M. U., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P. O. Measuring Divergence Time Information Content. 2018 Society of Systematic Biology standalone meeting, Columbus, OH, USA.
Neupane, S., Fučíková, K., Chen, M. U., Lewis, L. A., Kyo, L., & Lewis, P. O. 2017. Assessing Combinability of Phylogenomic Data under Bayesian context. Evolution 2017, Portland, OR, USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution and diversification of woody life form on tropical mountains in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). Botany 2016, Savannah, GA, USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution of secondary woodiness and biogeographic disjunctions in the herbaceous tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae). EEB Graduate Student Symposium, University of Connecticut, CT. USA.
Neupane, S. Evolution of secondary woodiness in Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae) in Asia and the Pacific. Evolution 2014, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Neupane, S. Origin and diversification of Hedyotis-Oldenlandiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Asia and the Pacific. Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2013. New generic combinations within Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae). Botany 2013, New Orleans, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2013. Origin and diversification of Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae) in Asia. Annual BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, VA, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2011. Phylogeny of Asian Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae): A model group for studying historical biogeography of Asian flora and evolution of secondary woodiness in insular settings. Minzu University, Beijing, China (Invited talk).
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2011. Hedyotis L. (Rubiaceae) in Asia-Pacific: Phylogeny, Biogeography and Character Evolution. Annual BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, VA, USA.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2010. Phylogeny of Asian-pacific Shrubby Hedyotis L. (Spermacoceae) and Preliminary Evaluations of Biogeographic Patterns, Insular Woodiness, and Fruit Evolution. The Fifth International Rubiaceae and Gentianales Conference Stockholm, Sweden.
Neupane, S. & Motley, T. J. 2010. Search for “true Hedyotis” (Rubiaceae) in Asia and its biogeographic implications. Botany 2010, Providence, RI, USA.
Neupane, S., Dessein, Motley, T. J. 2009. The Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. BGSO spring symposium, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA.
Neupane, S., Dessein, S., Motley, T. J. 2008. The Hedyotis–Oldenlandia–Kohautiacomplex (Rubiaceae) in Nepal: A study of fruit, seed and pollen characters and their taxonomic significance. IV International Rubiaceae (Gentianales) Conference, Xalapa, Mexico.
Synergistic Activities
- Contributing to the ongoing Flora of Nepal project, and the Flora of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam project (both projects led by Edinburgh Botanic Garden) in writing floristic accounts of the genera in Rubiaceae family.
- Established collaboration with Rubiaceae specialists and plant anatomists in Botanic Garden, Belgium (Steven Dessein), in Naturalis, Netherlands (Frederic Lens, Erik Smets), and in Bergius Botanic Garden, Sweden (Niklas Wikstrom, Birgitta Bremer) for the phylogenetic and evolutionary study in the tribe Spermacoceae (Rubiaceae) as part of the PhD project.
- Initiated collaboration with scientists in Central National Herbarium, Kolkata, India (CNH) in 2009 and successfully signed Memorandum of understanding between CNH and Old Dominion University, VA, USA in 2013 to study Hedyotis in India. Subsequent to signing our MoU, I was able to obtain permit for collecting plant specimens in India from the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), India. This process involved multiple years of working with several Indian agencies related to studying collecting bioresources from India. The establishment of MoU and obtaining the permit to collect plant specimens from the highly protected areas in India (Western Ghats Mountains) was the first of its kind for an international scholar since the promulgation of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 in India.
- Conducted workshop on ‘Teaching science in secondary school’ and ‘Curriculum design’ in Nepal in 2007. Trained secondary school teachers on various teaching methods in Serene Valley School, Nepal in 2007. Developed secondary school curriculum for Serene Valley School (Now Apex Life School), Kathmandu, Nepal in 2007.
Skills
Programming/computational: Python, Phylogenetics methods, familiar with R and C++.
Wet lab methods: DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing. Genome sequence assembly and annotation. Plant anatomical techniques, SEM, TEM.
Professional Training
2017: Introduction to Flipped Classes, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
2015: Workshop on Molecular Evolution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
2013: Plant anatomical techniques, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Netherlands.
2013: Workshop in Applied Phylogenetics, Bodega Bay, CA, USA.
2012: Workshop on Advances in Multiple Sequence Alignment and Phylogeny Estimation. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA.
Languages
Nepalese (Native), English (Fluent), Hindi (Fluent).
Field Experience
Nepal: Southern plains (2003, 2004, 2005), Central Eastern Himalaya region (2004, 2008);
Mexico (2008)
Sri Lanka (2009)
India (2009)
United States: Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia (2009-2012)
China:Guangdong & Hainan (2012); Thailand (2012); Cambodia (2012);India (2012); Nepal (2012).