Aviral Neupane

Title: PhD Student
Email: an1201@msstate.edu

I am from Nepal—homeland of loftiest mountains (Himalayas), grown in the vicinity of a mesmerizing nature, Banke National Park where my eyes saw the majestic dance of peacock, elusive wild big cats, violent wild elephants, etc. The park and connected forests are situated in human-dominated landscapes facing severe anthropogenic threats such as habitat loss, fragmentation that drew me towards pursuing a forestry degree in undergraduate and graduate (MS) studies at Tribhuvan University. In addition, I broadened my human prospects through a bachelor's degree in humanities and social sciences.

During my MS research, titled "Habitat Occupancy and Threats Analysis of Big Cats in Kamdi Corridor," I marked invasive alien plant species as a major driver for habitat alteration and overall biodiversity loss that paved the pathway for delving into invasion ecology. After earning more than four years' of experience in biodiversity conservation and restoration projects in Nepal, I returned to continue education (Fall 2024) at Mississippi State University. For my PhD, I am investigating invasive plant species ecology and inferring evidence-based management in the southeastern USA. My career aspiration is to contribute to science and society. Also, I love to be lost in pristine nature, trekking in mountains and sharing experiences.

Lab: https://www.garyervin.com

Personal Link: www.linkedin.com/in/aviral-neupane-a9b237268