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=

4. PDM – Flood 2022

https://www.ifrc.org/evaluation/pdm-report-mdrnp011-nepal-monsoon-floods-and-landslides

5. PDM – Earthquake 2023

https://www.ifrc.org/evaluation/pdm-report-karnali-earthquake

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.

Visiting Researcher (Climate Change and Hydrogeology)

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.

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. 

Binita is a young researcher from Lamjung Nepal. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science along with a strong experience in data analysis, community participation, and climate activism. Through her previous work with LEAD Nepal and UNICEF ROSA, Binita has proven her ability to write technical articles, repost syntheses, and effective communication pieces. As a counselor for ECCA Nepal, Binita oversaw programs for MHM in remote Nepalese communities and WASH projects in schools. Passionate about sustainability and innovation, Binita is committed to leveraging expertise to drive impactful environmental solutions. She loves to cook and explore different cuisines, and she is also an avid hiker. 

Mr. Daya Shrestha is a Research Associate under NDRI’s Livelihood and Food Security Program. He holds a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from the University of Göttingen in Germany and a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Economics and a minor in Computer Science from Swarthmore College in the USA. He is passionate about using his econometric and analytical skills and academic expertise to drive data-driven decision-making in Nepal’s policy sphere. Prior to joining NDRI, Daya was a Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellow 2024 where he collaborated with the Ministry of Finance in developing a thorough understanding of Nepal’s climate finance landscape.

Research interests:

Aid allocation and effectiveness, climate finance, sustainable food systems, and socioeconomic benefits of migration

Mr. Pramit Ghimire is currently working as a Research Associate at the Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI). He is actively involved in a project with UNICEF ROSA, focusing on developing a model for flood susceptibility mapping. Pramit holds a Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering from Pulchowk Campus and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Kathmandu University. 

In his research career, Pramit has served as a Research Associate at the Centre for Water Resources Studies (CWRS) at Pulchowk Campus. He was awarded a grant for his M.Sc. thesis and interned at the Water Resources Research and Development Centre (WRRDC), where his work centered on utilizing satellite imagery for mapping irrigated areas of Nepal. 

Pramit has extensive experience with Google Earth Engine (GEE), leveraging its cloud-based platform for large-scale geospatial data analysis and environmental monitoring. He is also proficient in Python and JavaScript, which he uses for data analysis and machine learning applications. His practical experience includes fieldwork, particularly in surveying, construction and irrigation rehabilitation projects. 

His research interests are primarily focused on water resources management, remote sensing, machine learning, and hydrology. 

Publications 

• “Mapping Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Irrigated Agriculture in Nepal using MODIS NDVI and Statistical Data with Google Earth Engine: A step towards improved irrigation planning”; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2024.104345 

• “Change in Irrigated Land Based on NDVI: A Case Study of Morang District” in 14th IOE Graduate Conference; https://conference.ioe.edu.np/publications/ioegc14/ 

Rajendra K. Shrestha is a skilled Civil Engineer specializing in hydropower engineering, and in related field of water resource management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and hydrological modeling. As a Research Assistant, he has significantly contributed to research on climate-resilient hydropower and led projects in infrastructure development and disaster management. Rajendra's expertise includes climate risk assessment, hydraulic structure design, and extensive fieldwork in Nepal's infrastructure sector. His leadership spans managing large-scale bridge construction projects and supporting disaster recovery efforts through innovative engineering solutions. Proficient in cutting-edge tools like GIS, Python, MATLAB,GEE and hydrological modeling platforms, Rajendra combines technical excellence with a deep commitment to sustainable development. His work continues to drive resilience and innovation in civil and hydropower engineering

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 a software engineer with over three years of experience and a degree in Computer Science from Tribhuvan University. Since 2019, he has focused on software engineering, creating innovative solutions to enhance business efficiency. Passionate about Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), Prabin actively contributes to the community and advocates for collaborative development. His research interests include threat intelligence, malware detection, data structures, algorithmic solutions, and quantum algorithms. For more information, visit prabin-shrestha.com.np

Dikshya Barasaini is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Nepal Development Research Institute,  where she contributes to evidence-based research and development initiatives focused on rural livelihoods, social inclusion, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic growth in Nepal. Her responsibilities include supporting research design and implementation, stakeholder coordination, and data-driven analysis across a range of research and development projects. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, Tribhuvan University, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Rural Development. Her academic foundation in business and development studies strengthens her ability to integrate theoretical perspectives with practical, field-based research in rural and community contexts.

In her role at NDRI, she has been actively engaged in diverse research activities and community-level engagements. She has contributed to the development of research instruments and has worked closely with local governments, cooperatives, and community stakeholders to facilitate fieldwork processes. She has also been extensively involved in conducting Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews as well as in managing qualitative and quantitative data collection, field coordination, documentation, and reporting. Her core strength lies in grassroots-level research and direct community engagement, where she collaborates with local institutions, entrepreneurs, and informal sector actors to better understand development challenges and opportunities at the ground level. She is particularly interested in rural livelihood development, social inclusion, and strengthening the connection between research and community realities to support more inclusive, context-sensitive, and sustainable development outcomes. She is dedicated to combining rigorous research with practical implementation to generate meaningful and sustainable impact. In addition to research work, she has also contributed to institutional and program support functions by serving as a Master of Ceremonies at various NDRI events and workshops, demonstrating strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.

Sarya Thapa Magar is a recent graduate of The College of Wooster in Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations. Her academic and professional focus lies at the intersection of development, research, and data analysis, driven by a passion for evidence-based problem-solving and collaboration.

For her senior thesis, Sarya conducted an econometric analysis of the impact of political instability on Nepal's economic development. This research not only provided deep insights but also sparked a lasting curiosity about the governance and investment challenges facing Nepal. She is committed to contributing to policy development and research in Nepal, particularly through data-driven strategies.

Sarya is eager to apply her expertise and passion for applied research in organizations like NDRI, where she can contribute to impactful development initiatives and evidence-based solutions.