Saman Bhattarai

Saman Bhattarai is a microbiologist and molecular biology researcher with strong expertise in plant pathology, microbial genomics, and applied microbiology. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, with a strong academic record. Saman currently works as a Research Assistant at the Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Plant Pathology Research Centre under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council. His work focuses on molecular diagnostics, whole-genome sequencing, and the genotypic and phenotypic characterization of plant pathogens and beneficial microbes. He has contributed to nationally and internationally funded projects supported by FAO, USAID, NAST, and ILRI, addressing critical agricultural challenges such as Banana Fusarium Wilt (TR4), rice blast, citrus greening, and plant viral diseases. His research experience includes qPCR assay development, MinION sequencing, metagenomics, UAV-assisted disease surveillance, and green synthesis of antimicrobial nanoparticles. Previously, he served as an Assistant Microbiologist in the agri-biotech sector, where he worked on microbial fermentation, consortium development, quality control, and GMP-aligned laboratory practices. Saman has published in international peer-reviewed journals and has several systematic reviews and first reports under review and preparation.