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Gayatri Interdisciplinary
Research Institute

Bridging biological discovery and traditional wisdom with modern science — advancing agriculture, ecology, and knowledge for a sustainable future rooted in Nepal.

Explore Research GACA Fellowship
3rd
Year of GACA Fellows Program
4
Research Divisions
NPR
62K
Fellowship Award per Fellow
Our Story

Rooted in Nepal,
Reaching the World

Since 2023, GIRI and GACA have been advancing interdisciplinary research, education, and community impact — integrating Nepal's biodiversity, cultural heritage, and scientific potential with global best practices.

A New Kind of Research Institution

GIRI is Nepal's premier interdisciplinary research hub — deeply rooted in Nepal's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. We integrate modern science, plant-based wellness, Ayurveda, Artificial Intelligence, environment, and consciousness studies.

As an independent research and innovation initiative, GIRI collaborates with universities across Nepal and global partners to build a translational engine that takes discoveries from lab to field, and from Nepal to the world.

2023
Founded by Drs. Khatri-Chhetri & Adhikary

Vision

To become Nepal's premier interdisciplinary research hub and a globally recognized center for innovation, where bold questions are welcomed, disciplinary boundaries are reimagined, and curiosity drives discovery.

Mission

Conduct and advance fundamental and transformative research, providing a culture of intellectual freedom, scientific rigour, and cross-boundary collaboration. Empower researchers to explore pioneering ideas, address complex global challenges, and generate knowledge that transcends traditional academic silos.

Focus

Agriculture, agro-forestry, life sciences, ecology, and AI — with deep emphasis on Nepal's unique environmental, agricultural, and socio-cultural systems. Theme: Green. Agricultural. Impactful.

Research Architecture
GIRI as a Research Nexus
Basic Science
Curiosity-driven inquiry. Understanding fundamental biological, ecological, and computational principles.
Applied Science
Problem-solving research. Developing tools, methods, and interventions for Nepal's agricultural and ecological challenges.
Translational
From lab to field. Turning discoveries into actionable solutions for farmers, communities, and policymakers.
GIRI integrates all three — where curiosity meets impact.
Research & Innovation

Four Pillars of
Interdisciplinary Inquiry

Our research spans traditional knowledge and cutting-edge science, always with Nepal as both laboratory and classroom.

Division of Ayurveda & Plant-Based Wellness

Explores Nepal's traditional medical systems and rich biodiversity as a foundation for global health. Research spans ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, and Vedic recipes for food, medicine, and preventive health — integrating ancient wisdom with modern science.

Division of Integrative Life Sciences

Bridges biology, health sciences, and traditional knowledge. Research includes genomics, microbiome studies, regenerative medicine, neuroscience, and consciousness — advancing integrative understandings of resilience, longevity, and the interconnectedness of living systems.

Division of Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

Harnesses AI and computational methods for interdisciplinary research. Applications span biodiversity modelling, climate prediction, ecological informatics, healthcare diagnostics, NLP, and consciousness research — positioning GIRI as Nepal's AI-for-science hub.

Division of Environment, Climate & Sustainability

Addresses urgent environmental challenges of the 21st century. Studies ecosystems, climate change, and sustainable development — core themes include biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and community-based climate adaptation.

Active Research Projects
Agriculture
Biocontrol
Clubroot Disease in Mustard
Biological solutions for specialty crop diseases
Biocontrol
Ralstonia in Tomato
Disease management in high-value vegetable crops
Machine Learning
Early Weed & Disease Detection
AI-based detection in dicot & monocot farms, Far Western Nepal
Looking for a graduate student enrolled in an MS program in Universities in Nepal.
Farmer Outreach
Agro-Clinic
A mobile diagnostic and advisory service connecting GIRI scientists and extension specialists directly with Nepali farmers. The clinic offers on-site crop disease identification, soil testing, and pest management guidance — translating laboratory research into practical solutions for the field.
Himalayan Herb Omics
Medicinal Herb
Omics compendium for 1,008 herbs from the Himalayas, integrating omics information with ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional herb use from indigenous communities
Looking for a graduate student enrolled in an MS program in Universities in Nepal.
Cannabis: From Seed to Science
Foundational research exploring the biochemistry, ethnobotany, and sustainable agricultural potential of Cannabis sativa in Himalayan communities
Fellowship Program

GACA Graduate Fellowship

Since 2023, GACA has supported outstanding scholarship and innovative research in education, life sciences, ecology, and artificial intelligence — focusing on pressing challenges within Nepal's agricultural systems.

About the Fellowship

The GACA Graduate Fellowship is designed to support graduate students undertaking thesis-based research projects in Nepal. This fellowship empowers emerging scholars by supporting high-quality research, strengthening academic and scientific communication, and advancing knowledge related to Nepal's unique environmental, agricultural, and socio-cultural systems.

Commitment to Equity

In addition to graduate research support, GACA provides needs-based financial assistance to primary and secondary school students — aligning with its mission to promote educational opportunities, scientific progress, and service to society.

2025 Focus

The 2025 Class of GACA Fellows marks the program's third year with a dedicated emphasis on agro-forestry, fostering a growing body of knowledge that contributes to the sustainable future of agriculture in Nepal.

GACA Fellows 2025/2026

Graduate Fellowship Program — Open Call

Fellowship Award

NPR 62,000 per fellow (NPR 52,000 + NPR 10,000) — covering living expenses, fieldwork materials, and tuition-related costs.

Duration

Up to 24 months, with funds disbursed in three installments. Start dates from September 30, 2025.

Eligibility

Full-time thesis-based graduate students at recognized institutions in Nepal, with research generating publishable data in international peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

Monthly check-ins, GACA mentor on thesis committee, participation in GACA workshops, and at least one scientific publication.

Apply / Questions

gacafoundation@gmail.com
Application deadline: September 15, 2025 — 11:59 PM MDT

Apply for Fellowship
Partnerships & Collaborations

Building a Global
Research Network

GIRI and GACA collaborate with leading institutions across Nepal and internationally — creating pathways from discovery to deployment.

University & Research Collaborators

GACA graduate fellows conduct research through partnerships with leading Nepali universities and research organizations:

School of Agriculture, Far Western University — Tikapur, Kailali, Nepal
Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) — Rampur, Chitwan
Nepal Plant Disease and Agro Associates (NPDA) — Kathmandu
Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
Sathya Sai School Pokhara (primary education partner)
Leadership & Team

The People Behind
GIRI & GACA

UK

Upama Khatri-Chhetri, Ph.D

Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor

Research Scientist, University of Alberta. Co-founder of the Gayatri Academic Foundation (GACA).

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Dinesh Adhikary

Dinesh Adhikary, Ph.D

Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor

Research Scientist, University of Alberta. Founder of the Gayatri Academic Foundation (GACA).

Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor

Dr. Dinesh Adhikary is a molecular geneticist and researcher at the University of Alberta, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Canada and holds M.S. and B.S. degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas, and Brigham Young University, Utah, USA, respectively. Before his doctoral studies, he held a research position at Cornell University.

His research focuses on integrated disease and weed management in crop systems. He applies multi-omics approaches, genome editing, advanced imaging, and machine learning to study plant–pathogen and plant–plant interactions. Dr. Adhikary is actively involved in mentoring graduate students and early-career researchers.

He is also the founder of the Gayatri Academic Foundation, an international mentorship initiative dedicated to supporting and training graduate students in Nepal.

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Anup Khattri Chettri

Anup Khattri Chettri

Co-Founder & Scientific Lead

Chemical Engineer. Co-founder of Gayatri Interdisciplinary Research Institute (GIRI), Nepal.

Anup Khattri Chettri

Co-Founder & Scientific Lead

Anup Khattri Chettri is a German-educated engineer, research institution builder, civic organizer, and interdisciplinary strategist committed to strengthening Nepal's intellectual, scientific, and democratic foundations. With more than two decades of professional experience across Germany and Nepal, he combines technical rigor, institutional design, cultural leadership, and youth mentorship into a long-term national development vision.

He holds a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Technische Universität Dortmund and previously worked as a Senior Project Engineer at Evonik Industries AG and as a Research Engineer at GEA Energietechnik in Germany. Upon returning to Nepal after nearly twenty years in Germany, he founded the Gayatri Interdisciplinary Research Institute, a scientific research platform dedicated to conducting and publishing rigorous research findings, supporting research projects and students through funding facilitation, and building international mentorship networks.

He has served as a Diaspora Expert and Project Coordinator with GIZ Nepal, contributing to the institutional establishment of the Nepal Hydropower Academy. He currently advises organizations including Mauri Ventures and the Wool Development Association of Nepal on strategic planning and institutional roadmaps.

Beyond research and policy, Anup actively cultivates civic-intellectual culture. He is the founder of Kathmandu Philosophy Club, Kathmandu Meditates, and Shantipath Trust — supporting education, mindfulness, and winter relief for rural Nepali children. As a life coach, he developed the 4D Life Optimization framework, mentoring youth and emerging leaders to connect personal mastery with societal responsibility.

Creatively, he is an internationally released electronic music producer under the name Think City, with more than 50 original tracks published globally, several charting on Beatport in Organic House and Downtempo categories. As a founding member of Catalyst Club Nepal, he works to build evidence-based policy discourse and strengthen think tank culture. Fluent in German, English, Nepali, and Hindi.

Pratima KC

Pratima KC, Ph.D

Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor

Research Scientist at NASA Earth eXchange (NEX), NASA Ames Research Center.

Pratima KC

Pratima KC, Ph.D

Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor

Dr. Pratima KC is a Research Scientist at the NASA Earth eXchange (NEX) at NASA Ames Research Center, where she applies remote sensing, geospatial data science, and artificial intelligence to study terrestrial ecosystems at large scale. Her work focuses on measuring and mapping the impacts of environmental disturbances, especially drought, wildfire, and forest mortality, and translating Earth observation data into actionable tools for research and land management.

She earned her PhD from the University of Washington and has publications in leading journals such as Science and Remote Sensing of Environment. Dr. KC has experience working across interdisciplinary research environments spanning environmental science, geospatial technology, and applied artificial intelligence.

She is particularly interested in advancing the use of Earth observation and AI to support ecosystem resilience, climate adaptation, and informed land management. Through her work, she aims to bridge cutting-edge science with practical solutions that help improve understanding and stewardship of changing landscapes.