Grantee

Neha Gurung is a prominent human rights advocate and a co-founder of the Citizenship Affected People’s Network (CAPN), a leading national non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting equal citizenship rights in Nepal. Her work primarily focuses on addressing and reforming discriminatory citizenship laws that impact marginalized groups. As a Fulbright grantee, Neha will be studying Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University, where she aims to further her expertise in human rights advocacy.

Neha’s commitment to global human rights issues extends beyond Nepal’s borders. In 2023, she served as a co-lead for the Global Movement Against Statelessness, where she played a pivotal role in shaping international advocacy efforts to address and resolve statelessness. Her leadership and expertise have earned her a place on the advisory group of this influential movement, where she continues to contribute to strategic discussions and initiatives aimed at eradicating statelessness.

Dr. Barsha Thapa Magar is a Veterinary Officer specializing in epidemiology at the Department of Livestock Services within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Nepal. Over the past three years, she has been committed to enhancing animal health through managing the national epidemiological database, overseeing animal disease notifications, conducting outbreak investigations, and leading disease surveillance efforts.

As a Fulbright grantee, Dr. Thapa Magar will be pursuing a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine (MPVM) at the University of California, Davis. She earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry degree from Agriculture and Forestry University in Rampur, Nepal, in 2019, and is a registered veterinarian with the Nepal Veterinary Council. In her free time, Dr. Thapa Magar enjoys trekking, dancing, and exploring new destinations.

Sujit Maharjan holds an MEd in English Language Teaching from Kathmandu University. He has served as a Research Associate at Social Science Baha, where he researched labor, migration, climate change, and well-being. Previously, he was an English Language and Arts teacher at Nisarga Batika School, where he refined his teaching skills. As a Fulbright grantee he will pursue a Master of Science in Education in Special Education, specializing in Low Incidence Disabilities, at the University of Kansas.

Sujit’s primary interest lies in education and disability. He is passionate about designing and facilitating enriching learning experiences and environments for learners with disabilities. His ultimate goal is to establish a system and institution that ensures accessible education for students with various disabilities. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, Sujit enjoys traveling, writing, and listening to music. He dreams of exploring the world and becoming a traveling storyteller.

Dr. Biplav is a dedicated medical professional and public health enthusiast. He earned his MBBS degree in 2014 from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. Following his graduation, he gained experience working at Bayalpata Hospital, a primary care facility in the rural Achham district, and served as a research fellow at Patan Academy of Health Sciences. He is also the co-founder of Karma Health, a non-profit organization that partners with the local municipal government to establish a model healthcare system in Rajpur, a village in western Nepal. As a Fulbright Master’s grantee, he is pursuing a two-year Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he aims to enhance his critical thinking and research skills.

He is particularly interested in exploring the complex interactions between health and various social, cultural, and economic factors, especially in remote regions of Nepal. Dr. Biplav aspires to use his knowledge to design and implement effective public health interventions and is passionate about leveraging research to shape local and national policies, ultimately striving for sustained improvements in public health.