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I completed my PhD (anthropology) from the University of Georgia, a M.A. degree from Clark University, and a B.Sc.(Ag.) degree from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS) of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. For all of these degrees, the word “agriculture”—the food and fiber production system—has been the key focus of my training and research. As I advanced in my training, I began to realize that studying the sociocultural part of "agriculture" is as equally important as studying the biophysical part. As an anthropologist, thus, I am primarily concerned with the “culture” part of "agri-culture." For my graduate training, I was particularly interested in our ways to better understand how socio-cultural, ecological and economic factors shape mountain agriculture and other human adaption processes in mountains; specifically, how the human dimensions of land-use/cover change have evolved in a mountain landscape of Nepal.

My research is mostly rooted in ethnographic investigation of the relationships underlying subsistence behavior of mountain smallholders, their dependence on land and forest resources, and the extent to which their behaviors are historically and spatially influenced by changing demography, expanding market economy, social change, and resource allocation rules. Being also trained in remote sensing and GIS, I prefer to use spatial data analysis and visualization techniques in my research, particularly when I deal with spatial and temporal issues in which these techniques have been effective. I have had research grants and awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the World Bank, Ford Foundation, and USAID.

I am currently working as Post-doctoral Research Associate with the CAP LTER at the Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University. Prior to this, I had a short stint as Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the National Research Council (Committee on Human Dimensions of Global Change). I have also been Robert McNamara Fellow (1999-2000) of the World Bank and have held Senior Research Associate position with the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) in Nepal.

I am a native of Nepal and currently live in Tempe, Arizona with my wife and our two sons. Outside of my academic life, I enjoy photography and multimedia design and also follow sports like soccer, cricket and NCAAF.

Growing up in Nepal, I developed keen interest in drawing and painting, mostly of the majestic Himalayan landscapes. I believe in being creative in our everyday life to seek something out of ordinary, which I think is also the reason for my passion in photography, graphics design and multimedia development. If you would like to see some of my pictures, please check out a few slideshows listed below. I would love to get comments and feedback from you.

Sample Pictures (in slideshow)

	Laguna de Llaca: This glacial lake is located in the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes. A dam was built here in the 1970s to mitigate the threats of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), but the locals believe that in recent years the size of glaciers here has been shrinking due to global warming. They fear there will be water scarcity downstream in coming years, which in turn, may increase the water related competitions and conflicts. (July 2009)
	A Nepali Village in the Dusk (Lamjung district): Like the rest of the Nepal Himalaya, Lamjung also has rugged terrains and cold climate. After hiking for hours, it felt great to catch my breath here in this resting place (called Chautar) and enjoy fresh air and a glimpse of this splendid view. (June 2009)
	Santa Fe: It was interesting to see these Pueblo-Adobe inspired house designs in Santa Fe for a change. (March 2009)

 

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