Roji Raut
Roji Raut
Lab Manager
Roji Raut has a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from SANN International College, Purbanchal University, followed by a Master ’s degree in Biotechnology from Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She has had a wide range of experience in silica nanoparticles synthesis, plant tissue culture, cell line culture, ELISA, CML diagnostics and Flow cytometry. She has been working as a Research Associate at CMDN since 2020. Her major responsibilities as a research associate includes molecular screening and library preparation for sequencing related works. She has been actively involved in projects related to COVID-19 environmental surveillance, One health, Epidemic Intelligence and Probiotics for AMR.
Shova Bhandari
Shova Bhandari
Sr. Research Associate
Shova Bhandari, graduated in MSc Medical Microbiology from GGIC affiliated with TU. Currently, she is working as Laboratory Associate at Intrepid Nepal. She is involved in molecular diagnostic of Covid-19 and HPV (Screening and genotyping), antibody testing (ELISA) and other research activities.
Binod Khadka
Binod Khadka
Lab Incharge
Binod Khadka has a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Trichandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, followed by a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He has a wide range of experience in molecular screening and library preparation for sequencing, ELISA, PCR, Flow cytometry and Plant tissue culture. He has been working as a lab associate at CMDN since September 2023. He is currently involved in research and diagnostics activities in lab.
Smita Shrestha
Smita Shrestha
Lab Associate
Smita Shrestha holds Master's degree in Biotechnology from the Central Department of Biotechnology at Tribhuvan University and a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology from St. Xavier's College, Nepal. She joined CMDN in 2024 as a Laboratory Associate. She possesses expertise in molecular techniques, including NGS library preparation, PCR, ELISA, cell culture, and flow cytometry. Currently, she is involved in Snow Leopard research project.
Ajay Bhattarai
Ajay Bhattarai
Lab Associate
Ajay Bhattarai is a molecular biology professional currently serving as a Lab Associate at the Centre for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN), where he conducts molecular diagnostics for infectious and non-infectious diseases. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology from Manav Rachna International University, India, followed by a specialization degree during his Master's in Genetic Engineering from Sharda University, India, where he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal for academic excellence. His scientific expertise spans molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, recombinant DNA technology, gene expression analysis, CRISPR-mediated gene editing, semi-quantitative and real-time PCR, SDS/agarose gel electrophoresis, protein expression, tissue culture, bacterial culture and plating, and immunoassays such as ELISA. His previous research experience ranges from characterization of plant viruses to the development of nontransgenic virus-resistant plants via CRISPR-mediated genome editing, with several publications on emerging viral pathogens, including some first reports in the Indian subcontinent. He is currently studying plethora of ongoing research and diagnostics within CMDN and Intrepid Nepal, ranging from screening of HPV, HLA B27, and HCV to experiments related to AMR, SARS-COV2 detection, library preparation for NGS, and vaccine trials. His major interests lie in characterizing emerging and re-emerging pathogens and developing affordable diagnostics to vaccines as a long-term goal. Besides science, Ajay has a deep passion for music and served as the official guitarist at the Sharda University Music Club, where he participated in various musical fests