Meet the People Behind Nourish Nation Foundation
Our team is a diverse group of dedicated professionals who are passionate about reducing nutrition-related diseases and promoting healthier communities through education, awareness, and collaboration.
Our Team Member
Founder & Chairperson
Food Scientist
Dr. Yakindra Timilsena is a seasoned food science researcher, recognized for his work in sustainable food systems and food technology. With a PhD in Food Science and Engineering, he has over 20 years of experience in various fields, including microencapsulation of plant-based oils, product innovation, and plant protein research. Dr. Timilsena's expertise spans both academic and industrial sectors, where he has contributed significantly to food product development, food materials research, and the intersection of nutrition and technology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Timilsena has held several prominent positions, including a Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University, where he contributes to groundbreaking research in food science. He has been associated with leading universities and research organizations such as RMIT University, CSIRO, Deakin University, and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control in Nepal. His research aims to drive sustainability in food production, particularly focusing on plant-based nutrition and innovations that enhance food quality and safety.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Dr. Timilsena is a certified ISO 22000 Lead Auditor and HACCP Practitioner, which underscores his expertise in food safety standards and regulations. His work is geared towards developing solutions that can address the global challenges of food security, health, and sustainability .
Dr. Raju Adhikari
Advisor
Biomedical and agricultural scientist.
Dr. Raju Adhikari is a highly accomplished polymer and biomaterials scientist based in Australia, with a career spanning over 28 years in research and development. He has worked extensively with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), where he co-invented notable biomedical technologies such as Elast-Eon™ and NovoSorb™, which are used in medical devices. His innovations extend to agriculture, where he developed sprayable biodegradable polymer technology for agricultural applications.
Dr. Adhikari has also made significant contributions to global science through his nearly 100 published research articles and 28 patents. His work has been recognized through prestigious awards, including Nepal's first Non-Resident Nepali Science and Technology Award in 2023. He continues to actively contribute to both the scientific community and Nepal's development through initiatives like the Nepal Science Foundation Trust and the Non-Resident Nepali Association’s Skill, Knowledge, and Innovation Committee (SKI)
Co-founder
Dr. Khatiwada is a postharvest horticulturist with specialization in fresh produce safety and quality along the supply chain through better postharvest management. He pursued his PhD from Australia in non-destructive detection of internal defects in fruit using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and has worked as post-doctoral scholar in university of California Davis (UC Davis). He obtained his MSc Ag in Horticulture and B Sc Ag from IAAS, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. After years of experience of working with development and research organizations in Nepal, Australia and USA, Dr. Khatiwada is currently working as Fresh Produce Safety and Quality Controller in a business based in Brisbane Markets, Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Khatiwada published more than a dozen publications including journal articles, proceedings, book chapters and love to write for farming communities in their language in relevant technical and advocacy issues.
Secretary
Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai has made significant contributions to wildlife conservation in Nepal, particularly through his work with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). With a strong background in forestry, Dr. Bhattarai began his career as a Junior National Park Ranger in Langtang National Park and has since worked in various protected areas, including Shivapuri and Bardia National Park. His conservation efforts have included habitat management, species protection, and educational initiatives in schools to raise awareness about wildlife preservation.
Dr. Bhattarai is particularly interested in large carnivore conservation, focusing on the Bengal tiger. His research also extends to human-wildlife conflict, especially the interaction between humans and tigers in Nepal's national parks. He has worked on designing strategies to mitigate these conflicts, ensuring both the protection of wildlife and the safety of local communities. Dr. Bhattarai is currently working on his PhD, researching the complexities of human-tiger conflict, which remains a critical issue in wildlife conservation in Nepal.
His expertise in conservation planning and his focus on balancing human and wildlife needs make him a respected figure in the field, and his work continues to have a positive impact on Nepal's conservation landscape
Dr. Radha Wagle
Advisor
Biodiversity and Climate Adaptation Professional
Dr. Radha Wagle is a prominent environmental and climate change expert in Nepal, currently serving as the Director General of the Department of Plant Resources within the Ministry of Forests and Environment. She also holds the position of Joint Secretary and Chief of the Climate Change Management Division. With over two decades of experience, her work has focused on community forestry, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and the integration of gender equality in natural resource governance.
Dr. Wagle has played a pivotal role in Nepal’s climate policy development, contributing to the Gender and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, as well as promoting gender-responsive approaches within the forestry and environmental sectors. Her academic background includes a PhD from Monash University in Australia, where she focused on feminist institutionalism and gender inclusion in forest bureaucracy, and a Master's degree in Environmental Science from the Swedish Agricultural University (SLU).
In addition to her national roles, Dr. Wagle represents Nepal in various international climate forums, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), where she serves as the national focal point for both climate and gender-related issues
Member
Dinesh Bajgain is a researcher and academic with expertise in agriculture, particularly focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and sustainable farming methods. He is affiliated with the University of Tasmania in Australia and the Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal. His research has concentrated on promoting GAP adoption, specifically in apple orchards in the high-altitude regions of western Nepal. His work addresses the challenges of input access, transportation issues, and production constraints faced by farmers, aiming to improve agricultural sustainability and food security in Nepal.
In addition to his research, Bajgain has been involved in cross-sectional studies, examining the role of gender, household literacy, and farming experience in the adoption of agricultural practices. His findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and farmers to enhance the productivity and marketability of agricultural products, such as apples, in Nepal's remote regions
Member
Microbiologist
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