Babu Ram Panthi, PhD
Agricultural scientist with extensive experience designing and executing lab, greenhouse, and field efficacy trials for crop production and insect management, including work across specialty crops and ornamentals. Strong record in experimental design, statistical analysis, biological profiling, protocol development, and translating research findings into product recommendations and technical training.
Areas of Interest: Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, Plant/Insect Interactions, Invasive Species, Insecticide Resistance, Biological Control
Agricultural scientist with extensive experience designing and executing lab, greenhouse, and field efficacy trials for crop production and insect management, including work across specialty crops and ornamentals. Strong record in experimental design, statistical analysis, biological profiling, protocol development, and translating research findings into product recommendations and technical training.
Areas of Interest: Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, Plant/Insect Interactions, Invasive Species, Insecticide Resistance, Biological Control
My background
I grew up in a small village town, Punarbas, in western Nepal. In 2011, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I then pursued graduate studies in entomology at the University of Florida, completing my MS in 2015 and PhD in 2020.
Following my doctoral training, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of California, Davis. I also served as an Assistant Professor at the Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal and as Deputy R&D Director at Karma Group of Companies, where I contributed to applied agricultural research and innovation. I am currently back in the United States working as a Research Associate at North Carolina A&T State University.
I grew up in a small village town, Punarbas, in western Nepal. In 2011, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I then pursued graduate studies in entomology at the University of Florida, completing my MS in 2015 and PhD in 2020.
Following my doctoral training, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of California, Davis. I also served as an Assistant Professor at the Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal and as Deputy R&D Director at Karma Group of Companies, where I contributed to applied agricultural research and innovation. I am currently back in the United States working as a Research Associate at North Carolina A&T State University.
EDUCATION
Professional Memberships
Research Support
- Ph.D. Entomology. 2020. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- M.S. Entomology. 2015. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- B.S. Agriculture. 2011. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, NP
- Research Associate (2025-present). Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
- Deputy R&D Director (2024-2025). Karma Group of Companies, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Assistant Professor (2023-2024). Department of Entomology, Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
- Postdoctoral Scholar (2022-2023). Vegetable and Field Crops Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA
- Postdoctoral Research Associate (2021-2022). Small Fruits Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Postdoctoral Scholar (2020-2021). Field Crops Entomology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Graduate Research Assistant (2016-2020). Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
- Research Assistant (2015-2016). Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Research Assistant (2015). Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Graduate Research Assistant (2013-2015). Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL
- Research Assistant (2012-2013). Entomology Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Kathmandu, NP
- Experimental Designs (Laboratory, Growth Chamber, Growth Room, Greenhouse, Field)
- Bioassays (Leaf-dip, Potter Tower, Field)
- Geospatial Analysis, Sampling Plan, Phenology Models, ImageJ Analysis
- Experimental design & statistical analysis (R, SAS, JMP)
- Product biology, label-support data development
- Digital data-collection systems & field-research technology
- Protocol development & biological profiling
- Expert in Microsoft Office Suite
- Inventory and Project Management
- Independent or Team Work
- Technical writing, training, and stakeholder communication
- 2021. Outstanding Leadership Award, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2020. Megha Parajulee SONE Student Award for Academic Excellence
- 2015. Graduate student of the year award. Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Homestead, FL
- 2014. Dade County AgriCouncil Seymour Goldweber Scholarship award, Homestead, FL
- 2007-2011. Merit Scholarship for the entire duration of B.S. Agriculture, Tribhuvan University, NP
- 2019. UF/IFAS Grantsmanship Workshop. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- 2019. Workshop on “Scientific Poster and Abstract Writing: Translating Science Across Different Audiences”. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
- 2019. Seminar on “Ways to build your professional brand with science communication”. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
- 2019. Seminar on “Outreach opportunities – what does a scientist look like?”. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
- 2018. Workshop on “Understanding your Evolving Role: Leadership and Teamwork in the Workplace”. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
- 2018. Workshop on “The Science of Science Communication”. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Wimauma, FL
Professional Memberships
- 2020 – present. Association of Nepalese Agricultural Professionals of Americas
- 2014 – present. Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2012 – present. Entomological Society of America
- 2014 – 2020. Florida Entomological Society
- 2021. Organizer, ESA Organized Meeting, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado
- 2020 – 2021. President, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2019 – 2020. President-Elect, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2019. Organizer and Moderator, ESA Organized Meeting, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO
- 2019. Organizer, Graduate Student Research Day, Student Poster Competition, Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2019. Organizer, Workshop on “Scientific Poster and Abstract Writing: Translating Science Across Different Audiences”. Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2018 – 2019. Treasurer, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2018 – 2019. Secretary, Nepalese Student Association, University of Florida
- 2018. Organizer and Moderator, Seminar on “Three Years in Industry: Observations of a Reformed Graduate Student”, Nepalese Student Association and Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists, University of Florida
- 2018. Organizer, ESA Organized Meeting, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada
- 2018. Organizer, Workshop on “Understanding your Evolving Role: Leadership and Teamwork in the Workplace”. Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2018. Organizer, Workshop on “The Science of Science Communication”. Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2017 – 2018. Organizer, GCPSA Bi-monthly Research Seminar Series, Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2017 – 2018. Marketing and Communication Officer, Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2017 – 2018. Webmaster and Communication Officer, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2017 – 2018. Executive Committee Member, Nepalese Student Association, University of Florida
- 2016 – 2017. Executive Committee Member, Society of Overseas Nepalese Entomologists
- 2012. Editor, Graduate's Profile 2011, published by the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
- 2011. Coordinator, a research on “Performance of different rice varieties under direct seeded rice technique at inner terai region of Nepal” conducted at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
- 2021. Grower’s Field Day, Biology and management of spotted wing drosophila and blueberry bud mite in GA blueberries. Dec 3. MBG Marketing Group, Satilla REMC, Alma, GA
- 2016 – 2020. Diagnosis of insect pests and damage on plant samples sent to Plant Diagnostics Clinic, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2018. Middle School STEM Tour, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2017. Field Day, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Dover, FL
- 2017. GCREC AgExpo 2017, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2016. Entomology Booth, Florida State Fair, Tampa, FL
- 2015. Grower’s Field Day, Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2019-2023. Pesticide Applicator License (Certified). Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. University of Florida
- 2019. UF/IFAS Grantsmanship Workshop. University of Florida
- 2019. Workshop on Scientific Poster and Abstract Writing: Translating Science Across Different Audiences, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2019. Training on Lab Safety Actions & Reactions, University of Florida
- 2019. Training on Hazardous Waste Management Off-Campus Facilities, University of Florida
- 2018. Workshop on Understanding Your Evolving Role: Leadership and Teamwork in the Workplace, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2018. Workshop on The Science of Science Communication, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, University of Florida
- 2018. Training on Heat Stress Management, University of Florida
- 2018. Training on Compliance: A Collaboration for Success, University of Florida
- 2018. Active Shooter Training, University of Florida
- 2016. Training on Preventing Harassment, University of Florida
- 2016. Training on Title IX Responsible Persons, University of Florida
- 2015. Workshop on Strategy and Practical Approaches to Managing Vegetable Pests, UF/IFAS Miami-Dade County Extension, University of Florida
- 2017. Logo design of the Gulf Coast Postdoc and Student Association, University of Florida
- 2017. Graphic design of a T-shirt for promoting the Nepalese Student Association, University of Florida
- 2014. Logo design of Nepalese Student Association, University of Florida
- 2010. Graphic design of a T-shirt to represent the students of the Paklihawa Campus of the Tribhuvan University
Research Support
- 2026. Jackai, L. (PI), B. Dingha (Co-PI), B. Panthi (Co-PI). Amaranth Greens for Small Farm Production. North Carolina Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. USDA, Agricultural Marketing Services. Grant Award: $192,012 (proposal submitted), North Carolina A&T State University
- 2025. Jackai, L. (PI), B. Dingha (Co-PI), A. Osena (Co-PI), K. Gandham (Co-PI), B. Panthi (Co-PI), Y. Callohuari (Co-PI). Linking Plant Chemical Signatures and Nutrition to Pest and Beneficial Insect Dynamics in an Amaranth–Collard System. USDA-NIFA. Grant Award: $748,680 (proposal submitted, under review), North Carolina A&T State University
- 2025. Jackai, L. (PI), B. Dingha (Co-PI), B. Panthi (Co-PI). Enhancing Urban Agriculture Resilience with Amaranth. North Carolina Department of Agriculture/New and Emerging Crop Program. Grant Award $99,267 (proposal submitted, not funded), North Carolina A&T State University
- 2021. Kaur, N. (PI), E. Verhoeven (Co-PI), B. Panthi (Co- PI). Exploration of native entomopathogenic nematodes associated with sod webworm, Chrysoteuchia topiaria (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Oregon grass seed crops. Western-IPM center. Grant award: $29,961, Oregon State University
- 2021. Kaur, N. (PI), D. Walenta (Co-PI), C. Tanner (Co-PI), B. Panthi (Co-PI), N. Anderson (Co-PI). Leveraging innovative insect pest management approaches for the management of red clover casebearer moth in Oregon’s clover seed crops. Agricultural Research Foundation. Grant award: $14,981, Oregon State University
- 2019. Panthi, Renkema, Lahiri, and Liburd. Determining when to spray insecticide after scouting for Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in Florida strawberry. Florida Entomological Society Student Minigrant ($250), University of Florida
- 2017. Panthi and Renkema. Developing chilli thrips sampling plan for Florida strawberries. Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Graduate Student Grant Award: $16,170 (proposal submitted, not funded), University of Florida
- 2019. Gulf Coast Research and Education Center Student Travel Grant ($250)
- 2019. Florida Entomological Society Student Travel Grant ($150)
- 2017. Florida Entomological Society. Student Travel Grant ($150)
Links to my Profiles |
