Senior Advisor (Macroeconomics, Quantitative Analysis,
Governance, and Public Policy)
Prof. Dr. Tara Prasad
Prof. Dr. Tara Prasad Bhusal is a distinguished economist and professor at the Central
Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, wid...
Prof. Dr. Tara Prasad Bhusal is a distinguished economist and professor at the Central
Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, widely recognized for his expertise in
macroeconomics, econometrics, corruption studies, public finance, political economy, and
governance. With over three decades of academic, research, and institutional leadership, he
has been instrumental in advancing evidence-based policymaking, fiscal governance, and
institutional reform in Nepal. His analytical depth and command of quantitative methods
have established him as one of the nation’s leading authorities in policy-oriented economic
research and governance analysis.
Dr. Bhusal previously served as the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social
Sciences (2019–2024) and Member Secretary of the Board of Examination at Tribhuvan
University, where he led major reforms in curriculum modernization, digital examination
systems, and academic transparency—setting new standards for institutional accountability
and efficiency. His collaborations with the UNDP, Transparency International, Tax and
Fiscal Justice Asia (TAFJA), Public Services International (PSI), ActionAid Nepal, and the
Policy Research Institute (PRI) reflect his broad impact in governance and fiscal research.
His landmark studies—Corporate Taxation and Tax Justice in Nepal (2024), Local Tax
Reform in Bagnaskali Rural Municipality (2022), and Illicit Financial Flows in Nepal
(2019)—remain foundational references in fiscal and governance policy. As Senior Advisor
for Macroeconomics, Quantitative Analysis, Governance, and Public Policy at Policy
Research Foundation, Dr. Bhusal continues to advise on interdisciplinary policy research,
fiscal transparency, and sustainable governance, contributing profoundly to Nepal’s path
toward accountable and equitable development
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Senior Advisor (Agroecology, Soil Geography, Natural Resource
Management, Remote Sensing & GIS, and Environmental Policy)
Prof. Dr. Umesh Kumar Mandal
Prof. Umesh Kumar Mandal is a distinguished geographer and academic leader who currently
serves as the Head of the Central Department of...
Prof. Umesh Kumar Mandal is a distinguished geographer and academic leader who currently
serves as the Head of the Central Department of Geography at Tribhuvan University,
Kathmandu, Nepal, and has recently been appointed as Senior Advisor at the Policy Research
Foundation. He previously served as the executive director at the Research Directorate of
Tribhuvan University and currently chairs the National Man and Biosphere Committee for
UNESCO Nepal. With over three decades of academic and research experience, Prof.
Mandal’s expertise spans agroecology, soil geography, natural resource management, remote
sensing and GIS, and quantitative modeling techniques. He earned his PhD in Agroecology
from Tribhuvan University, an M.Tech in Remote Sensing and GIS Applications in Soil and
Agriculture from Andhra University, India, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Remote Sensing
and GIS from the United Nations–affiliated CSSTE-AP in Dehradun. An M.A. in geography
from Tribhuvan University forms the foundation of his academic journey.
Prof. Mandal has represented Nepal in numerous international forums, including IPBES
meetings in Tehran, Panama, and Bonn, and UNESCO-supported regional workshops on
ecosystem and biosphere management across Asia. He has authored over six dozen research
papers, book chapters, and policy publications on biodiversity, climate change, and
sustainable land management. As Chief Editor of the Geographical Journal of Nepal and
former Editor of the Tribhuvan University Journal, he has significantly contributed to
Nepal’s scientific literature and capacity building in geospatial science. His dedication to
integrating geospatial technology and environmental policy has positioned him as a key
advisor in Nepal’s sustainability and development initiatives.
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Senior Advisor (Development Economics, International Trade, Growth,
and Investment)
Dr. Ramesh Paudel
Dr. Ramesh Paudel is a renowned economist, academic, and policy expert, currently guiding
as Senior Advisor (Development Economics, Inter...
Dr. Ramesh Paudel is a renowned economist, academic, and policy expert, currently guiding
as Senior Advisor (Development Economics, International Trade, Growth, and Investment) at
the Policy Research Foundation. He is also an associate professor of economics at the Central
Department of Economics, Tribhuvan University, where he leads academic and research
initiatives in macroeconomics, financial economics, and international trade. With more than
two decades of academic and policy experience in Nepal and Australia, Dr. Paudel brings a
distinguished record of bridging economic theory, empirical research, and policy practice to
promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Dr. Paudel earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the Australian National University and a
Master of Research in Economics from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He has
served the Government of Nepal in several high-level policy positions, including as a
Member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Board of Trade, where he
provided intellectual leadership in formulating the 16th National Plan of Nepal, focusing on
education, health, urban development, and infrastructure. His policy and research
collaborations extend to leading international organizations such as the World Bank, the
Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the United Nations (UN). Dr. Paudel’s scholarly
contributions—featured in Oxford University Press, Springer, and other peer-reviewed
journals—advance understanding in economic growth, financial stability, trade, and
development policy, reflecting his enduring commitment to evidence-based economic reform
and sustainable progress in Nepal.
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Executive Chairperson
(Development Economics, Climate and Energy Policy, Climate Finance,
Agenda 2030, Carbon Market, Sustainability, Climate Adaptation and
Mitigation, and Green Fiscal Policy)
Arbind Chaudhary
Arbind Chaudhary is a development economist specializing in climate economics, energy
transitions, and sustainable economic growth, curre...
Arbind Chaudhary is a development economist specializing in climate economics, energy
transitions, and sustainable economic growth, currently serving as the Executive Chairperson
of the Policy Research Foundation. With more than seven years of experience across
academia, policy research, and international development, he has led high-impact initiatives
that bridge economic reform, climate resilience, and inclusive green growth. His leadership at
PRF focuses on advancing interdisciplinary research, fiscal innovation, and climate
governance, fostering collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and development
institutions to promote sustainable transformation in Nepal and across the ASEAN region.
Mr. Chaudhary’s professional journey includes diverse engagements with national and
international organizations. As a Carbon Pricing and Climate Finance Specialist at the
Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in Indonesia, he contributed
to regional climate finance strategies and conducted carbon pricing assessments for the Belait
Peat Swamp Forest in Brunei Darussalam. At the Electricity Regulation Commission (ERC)
in Nepal, he worked as an energy economics consultant, conducting studies on equity
financing, risk governance, and regulatory reform to enhance sustainability in the electricity
sector. He has also been serving as a collaborator on multiple climate policy research projects
and policy briefs with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in
Washington, D.C., focusing on methane emissions, agricultural integration, and climate
mitigation.
As the Founder and Executive Chairperson of the Policy Research Foundation (PRF), Mr.
Arbind Chaudhary has led diverse research and policy initiatives encompassing development
economics, climate and energy policy, climate finance, Agenda 2030, carbon markets,
sustainability, climate adaptation and mitigation, and green fiscal policy. He has contributed
to numerous peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and international book chapters and
actively serves in editorial and scholarly roles as an Editorial Board Member of the
Indonesian Journal of Management & Islamic Business and a peer reviewer for several
international journals, including the China Agricultural Economic Review, Regional
Sustainability, Asian Journal of Economics, Business, and Accounting, the Open Journal of
Business and Management, and the South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics. A
life member of the Nepal Economic Association (NEA), advisory committee member at the
Federation of Nepali Consumer Protection (FNCP), and roster expert for the Policy Research
Institute (PRI), Mr. Chaudhary continues to champion evidence-based policymaking that
advances just transitions, inclusive development, and sustainable governance in alignment
with the objectives of Agenda 2030.
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Research Officer
(Animal Breeding, Agroforestry, Climate-Smart Farming)
Prajwala Poudel
Prajwala Poudel serves as a Research Officer at the Policy Research Foundation, where she
contributes to advancing sustainable agricultur...
Prajwala Poudel serves as a Research Officer at the Policy Research Foundation, where she
contributes to advancing sustainable agriculture, livestock development, food security,
climate adaptation, and gender inclusion through applied research and policy innovation.
With a strong academic background, she holds a Master of Science in Animal Science
(Animal Breeding) from the Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal,
and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Gokuleshwor Agriculture and Animal Science
College, Tribhuvan University.
Her expertise spans agroforestry systems, animal breeding and genetics, climate-smart
farming, agricultural extension, and community-based resource management. Prajwala brings
extensive experience from her roles in farm management, agricultural instruction, and
research coordination, integrating technical knowledge with practical field experience. At
PRF, she plays a vital role in promoting evidence-based agricultural transformation, inclusive
rural livelihoods, and climate-resilient development policies in Nepal.
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Research Officer
(Development Economics, Energy Transition, & Business Development)
Rabina Thapa
Rabina Thapa is an aspiring development economist whose interdisciplinary research bridges
energy transition, household behavior, agricul...
Rabina Thapa is an aspiring development economist whose interdisciplinary research bridges
energy transition, household behavior, agricultural systems, and environmental policy. With a
commitment to evidence-based policymaking, she applies econometric and field-based
approaches to address Nepal’s sustainability and resilience challenges. She holds a Master’s
degree in Economics from Tribhuvan University (2022) and a Bachelor’s in Business Studies
from Bernhardt College (2017), supported by a strong scientific background from the
National School of Sciences and Technology.
Her professional experience spans roles at Lund University Center for Sustainability Studies
(LUCSUS), the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, Heifer
International, and the NITI Foundation. Currently a Research Associate at Policy Research
Foundation, she has contributed to national studies on industrial energy use, livelihood
systems, and governance. Her publications include Framing Energy Cultures: Materiality
and Motivators of Household Energy Transition in Nepal (Springer Nature, 2025) and a
forthcoming book chapter on Energy Transition in the Transportation Sector in Nepal.
Passionate about sustainability and inclusive growth, she continues to explore how economic
research can inform Nepal’s equitable transition to a low-carbon future.
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Research Associate
(Quantitative Analysis, Social Inclusion, and Conflict Management)
Anup Adhikari
Anup Adhikari is a Research Associate at the Policy Research Foundation (PRF), where he
contributes to advancing quantitative analysis, s...
Anup Adhikari is a Research Associate at the Policy Research Foundation (PRF), where he
contributes to advancing quantitative analysis, social inclusion, and community resilience
through evidence-based research and policy innovation. His work focuses on exploring the
intersections of energy, environment, and development, assessing how sustainable practices
influence livelihoods, equity, and national growth. He applies data-driven and
interdisciplinary approaches to strengthen sustainable policy implementation in Nepal. He
holds a master’s degree in economics from Tribhuvan University and teaches economics and
quantitative analysis at various undergraduate colleges.
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Research Assistant
(Agriculture- Nutrition-Climate Analysis, Agroforestry, Soil Science)
Aradhana Pokhrel
Aradhana Pokhrel is a research assistant at the PRF, where she contributes to research at the
intersection of agriculture, nutrition, cli...
Aradhana Pokhrel is a research assistant at the PRF, where she contributes to research at the
intersection of agriculture, nutrition, climate resilience, and agroforestry. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur,
Chitwan, Nepal, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in economics at Tribhuvan
University. Her work focuses on linking agricultural innovation with socio-economic and
health dimensions to enhance food security, promote sustainable farming systems, and
strengthen community resilience in Nepal.
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Research Assistant (Project Management, Labor Economics, Climate Change, and
Quantitative Research)
Sanjeena Pandey
Sanjeena Pandey is a research assistant at the PRF, where she contributes to projects
focused on project management, labor economics, cli...
Sanjeena Pandey is a research assistant at the PRF, where she contributes to projects
focused on project management, labor economics, climate change, and quantitative research.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Janapriya Multiple Campus,
Pokhara, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in economics at the Central Department
of Economics, Tribhuvan University. Her academic and research background centers on the
intersection of labor dynamics, economic policy, and data-driven development studies. At
PRF, Sanjeena applies her strong analytical skills to support research design, data analysis,
and evidence-based reporting. She has presented research on gender-based wage
discrimination in Nepal and continues to engage in applied studies that strengthen PRF’s
mission of promoting inclusive, policy-oriented economic development in Nepal.
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Legal Advisor, Policy Research Foundation
Rudra Mani Bhandari
Rudra Mani Bhandari is a corporate lawyer with over 10 years of professional experience in
Nepal, specializing in corporate governance, b...
Rudra Mani Bhandari is a corporate lawyer with over 10 years of professional experience in
Nepal, specializing in corporate governance, business law, and regulatory compliance. He has
also completed a master’s degree in economics from Tribhuvan University, bringing an
interdisciplinary perspective to legal and economic policy issues. Currently, he serves as the
legal advisor at the Policy Research Foundation, providing strategic guidance on legal
frameworks.
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