I was born and raised in the western part of Nepal. My passion for plants and agriculture developed early in my childhood while growing up on a family-owned farm. This upbringing fueled my curiosity and ultimately led me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University. After completing my Master of Science in Biotechnology at West Virginia State University in 2023, I started my Ph.D. journey under the guidance of Dr. Zeng at Virginia Tech. My research interests lie in exploring innovative solutions to crop disease and sustainability. I find solace in the great outdoors. I love camping, exploring new places, and immersing myself in various genres of music. 

I was born and grew up in Hebei Province, which is in the north of China. I pursued my undergraduate degree in the plant protection major at China Agricultural University. After graduation, I chose to continue my study in plant pathology at the same school and gained my master's degree. In August 2024, I started my Ph.D. program at Virginia Tech, with a focus on tobacco target spot in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Beyond academic pursuits, I enjoy traveling, reading, and also derive pleasure from cooking and baking and enjoying delicious cuisine.

I am a first-year PhD student in Dr. Yuan Zeng's lab at Virginia Tech. My research focuses on tobacco black shank disease caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae. I am interested in understanding pathogen biology, fungicide sensitivity, host resistance, and soil microbial interactions. My current work includes 1) evaluating the efficacy of fungicides against black shank in tobacco in field conditions, and 2) characterizing how microbial communities alter in response to chemical applications in P. nicotianae-infested soil.