Engage Nepal with Science is led on the ground by passionate Nepali researchers with strong science-communication skills. Supported by UK-based scientists, we ensure programs are co-designed, locally driven, and culturally grounded. Our leadership model reflects our core belief that sustainable change must come from within communities, while benefiting from global expertise and collaboration. This approach has enabled us to build deep trust with local partners, navigate complex cultural contexts, and create programs that resonate authentically with Nepali students and educators. By combining local insight with international perspective, we deliver science engagement that is both globally informed and locally relevant— a model that has proven essential for lasting impact in Nepal’s diverse educational landscape.
Leadership Team: Nepal
Prajwal Rajbhandari
Co-Founder, Engage Nepal with Science
Prajwal is a molecular biologist, educator, and public science advocate based in Kathmandu. As co-founder of Engage Nepal with Science, he has been instrumental in shaping its vision as a platform for equitable, locally driven science engagement. Through his leadership at the Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, he has built one of Nepal’s most innovative community-rooted research institutes—offering young scientists practical lab experience and leading research in natural preservatives, probiotics, and plant metabolites. His deep commitment to accessible science makes him a driving force behind programs that connect research, education, and social impact in Nepal.
Suvechhya Bastola
Director of Public Engagement, Engage Nepal with Science
Suvechhya leads the public engagement strategy for Engage Nepal with Science. With a background in biotechnology and a strong grounding in community education, she designs and delivers science programs across Nepal—ranging from hands-on workshops in schools to citizen science initiatives and national science festivals. Suvechhya plays a central role in shaping the direction of ENwS, working closely with teachers, youth leaders, and international partners to ensure programs are culturally relevant, inclusive, and impactful. Her work is redefining what it means to make science accessible in Nepal.
Leadership Team: UK
Dr. Alba Abad
Co-Founder, Engage Nepal with Science
Alba is a cell biologist and science educator who co-founded Engage Nepal with Science in partnership with colleagues at RIBB. She first began running grassroots science workshops in Nepal in 2010, inspired by the creativity and curiosity of young learners in under-resourced settings. Today, she leads the UK arm of the initiative—designing cross-cultural programs, building partnerships with UK research institutions, and mentoring scientists in inclusive science communication. Her approach blends rigorous research with public engagement, helping bridge the gap between international science and local educational opportunity.
Dr. Bethan Medina-Pritchard
Secretary, Engage Nepal with Science
Bethan serves as Secretary of Engage Nepal with Science, where she supports the organisation’s compliance, governance, and financial administration in the UK. With a scientific background and a strong eye for detail, she ensures the charity meets its reporting obligations, maintains accurate records, and manages grant documentation in line with funder and regulatory requirements.
Our Wider Team
Our wider team is made up of a network of 50+ passionate scientists, educators, and volunteers united by a commitment to strengthen STEM education and engagement in Nepal.
- Subject matter experts across STEM disciplines
- Education professionals with curriculum and pedagogy expertise
- Community organisers with deep local knowledge
- Communications specialists skilled in science storytelling
- Project managers experienced in international development
With diverse backgrounds spanning local experts and educators in Nepal, members of the Nepali scientific diaspora, and UK-based professionals, we bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our work. Our distributed expertise allows us to respond flexibly to diverse project requirements while maintaining quality and cultural sensitivity. Together, we are dedicated to empowering communities, fostering innovation, and driving lasting impact through science.
