Dr. Prayan Pokhrel is a chemical ecologist with a strong academic foundation that bridgeschemistry and biology. He earned his Bachelor in Pharmacy from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (India, 2013), a Master’s in Agrobiotechnology from Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany, 2016), and a PhD in Natural Sciences from the University of Hohenheim (Germany, 2022). His research explores how plant toxins affect insects and how insects defend themselves; an area that highlights his expertise in insect physiology, predator-prey interactions, analytical chemistry, and behavioral science. During his postdoc, he worked on advancing sustainable agriculture without chemical-synthetic plant protection under the Agricultural Systems of the Future program, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). His work aimed to reduce chemical pesticide use by studying how plant nutrition shapes insect interactions. In 2024, he joined the Gandaki Province Academy of Science and Technology (GPAST) as a research associate. Following the dissolution of GPAST in early 2025, he moved to the Center for Environmental and Sustainable Agricultural Research (CESAR), where he continues his research. He has authored over 10 peer-reviewed scientific papers and regularly reviews manuscripts for leading international journals. He has supervised more than 15 bachelor’s and master’s students on thesis and internship projects. Beyond research, he is an active science communicator. He has published over 15 popular science articles in national and international outlets, conducted scientific writing and communication workshops for more than 250 university students, and trained over 75 high school science teachers on micro-experiments and science writing.
