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Medhavi Dhakal

Membership since: 2026
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About me

I am an incoming PhD student in Integrated Biosciences at the University of Tokyo (October 2026 intake) and a dedicated science educator from Nepal. I hold an M.Sc. in Zoology with a specialization in parasitology from Tribhuvan University. My research focuses on molecular parasitology, epidemiological surveillance, and zoonotic disease diagnostics to support and uplift rural farming communities.

Born and raised in a farming family in rural Nepal, I witnessed firsthand how devastating epidemics and zoonotic outbreaks can disrupt rural livelihoods. Driven by a passion to address these challenges and overcome regional gender barriers, I pursued higher education to become one of the first women from my community to earn a Master of Science in Zoology, specializing in Parasitology, from Tribhuvan University (CGPA 3.63/4.00).

My research focuses on using molecular tools for disease surveillance. I led a molecular study investigating tick-borne parasites in cattle, which was backed by a University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal Research Award and published as lead author in MDPI Pathogens (2023). I have also co-authored community health research tracking intestinal parasites published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (2024). Alongside my research background, I actively teach general science to grades 6-10, mentoring over 120 students weekly and promoting STEM fields to younger generation. I look forward to beginning my doctoral research at the University of Tokyo in October 2026 to develop sustainable solutions for infectious diseases.

Degrees:

2023
Master
Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
Agriculture and Food Security Education Medicine and Health
2019
Undergraduate
Biological Systems and Organisms
Agriculture and Food Security Education Medicine and Health

Publications resulting from Research
Dhakal, M., Gompo, T. R., Devkota, P., Kafle, S. C., Subedi, J. R., Gong, H., Arima, H., Culleton, R., Asada, M., & Pandey, K. (2023). Molecular detection and identification of piroplasm in cattle from Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Pathogens, 12(8), 1045.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12081045
Dhakal, P., Dhakal, M., Dhakal, D., Shakya, P., Singh, B., Gupta Kalwar, R., Shahi, R., Pandey, S., Niraula, D., Karki, A., Mahato, M. K., Tamang, S., Chhetri, B., Thapa, M., Parajuli, R., Subedi, J. R., Pandey, K., Maharjan, M., & Parajuli, R. P. (2024). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in humans and domestic animals in Jirel community, Dolakha, Nepal. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 13(8), 3408-3414.
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_197_24