CV

Graduate Student Researcher

University of Pittsburgh

• Investigate molecular mechanisms regulating Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide attachment and chain length.
• Develop and optimize experimental techniques for bacterial exopolysaccharide research.
• Present research findings at departmental, regional, and national scientific conferences.
• Mentor undergraduate researchers in laboratory techniques, experimental workflows, and project design.

Molecular Biologist

B-Sure Path Lab & Diagnostic Centre

• Performed routine qRT-PCR testing for COVID-19 diagnosis from clinical specimens.
• Trained newly recruited laboratory technicians in molecular diagnostic techniques and workflows.
• Managed patient records, diagnostic reporting, and laboratory quality control in compliance with National Public Health Laboratory (Nepal) guidelines.
• Coordinated diagnostic reporting with the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Crisis Management Center.

Secondary School Teacher

Newton Higher Secondary School

• Taught Science and Mathematics to Grade 8 students.
• Designed and administered tests, and prepared test score reports to track student progress.
• Facilitated parent-teacher meetings to discuss student development and address concerns.
• Proctored final examinations and National Education Board exams for Grade 8 and Grade 10 students.

Intern Medical Microbiologist

Kathmandu Model Hospital

• Conducted routine clinical microbiological tests for pathogen isolation and identification in clinical specimens.
• Maintained culture collection and surveillance records of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates for national reporting.
• Performed monthly and quarterly quality assurance assays as required by National Public Health Laboratory.
• Performed hospital environmental pathogen monitoring.

PhD

University of Pittsburgh

Microbiology and Immunology

• Thesis: Control of Klebsiella pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide Chain Length and Attachment.
• Advisor: Dr. Laura A. Mike

MSc

Tribhuvan University

Medical Microbiology

• Thesis: Susceptibility to Fluoroquinolones and gyrA ser83 Mutation in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi at a Referral Hospital of Kathmandu Valley.
• Advisor: Dr. Megharaj Banjara

MMI Research Fellowship Award

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo COLMS

Awarded by the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo to graduate students who have received a pre-doctoral fellowship before thesis defense.

MMI Research Scholar Award

Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo COLMS

Awarded by the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo to graduate students with a first-author research manuscript accepted or published before thesis defense.

AHA Predoctoral Fellowship

American Heart Association

Two-year fellowship awarded by the American Heart Association (AHA) in the form of stipend support to PhD students pursuing research aimed at advancing human health and well-being.

Graduate Research Award

Graduate Student Association, University of Toledo

Awarded by the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo to graduate students with a first-author research manuscript accepted or published before thesis defense.

Sugar Import Suppresses Klebsiella pneumoniae Mucoidy in a cAMP-CRP-dependent Manner

Nature Communications

This study demonstrates a new regulatory mechanism of Klebsiella pneumoniae mucoidy. Here, we show that sugars suppress mucoidy upon import which downregulates rmpADC expression and increases capsule chain length diversity, and as result suppresses mucoidy.

Urine-mediated Suppression of Hypermucoviscosity is Counteracted by Wzc Mutations

mSphere

This study reports a new Klebsiella pneumoniae genetic mechanism used to overcome urine-mediated suppression of hypermucoidy phenotype and demonstrates corelation between mucoidy and capsular polysaccharide chain length.