Overview
Background
Dibesh Karmacharya has a Conservation Biology degree from Wayne State College, USA and a PhD on Conservation and Microbiome Genetics from Griffith University, Australia. He worked extensively in the US for Caliper Lifesciences in New Jersey as a research scientist (transgenic animal models). He promoted Genomics and Proteomics technology platforms for GE Healthcare Lifesciences in the US and Canada. He founded the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN), a wildlife genetics and clinical epidemiology research center and is the Chairman and Executive Director of the Organization. He also founded Intrepid Nepal Pvt. Ltd.-a molecular diagnostics-based Biotechnology Company, and Intrepid Cancer Diagnostics-a leading cancer diagnostic laboratory. He leads several innovative researches in Nepal including building Nepal’s first genetic database of wild tigers through Nepal Tiger Genome Project. He was the Principal Investigator of PREDICT Nepal project-an emerging pandemic threat project. He also founded BIOVAC Nepal Pvt. Ltd. - a vaccine research, development and manufacturing company. He is Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Regional Project Coordinator of Pandemic Prevention Leadership Initiative (PPLI). He specializes in One Health and Conservation Genetics.
Availability
- Dr Dibesh Karmacharya is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Conservation genetics and One Health disease dynamics
population genetics, microbiome genetics, disease dynamics, One health research, vaccine research and development, genomics
Research impacts
Nepal Tiger Genome Project: The Nepal Tiger Genome Project (NTGP), a two year (June 2011- 2013) research project to build genetic database of wild Bengal tigers of Nepal. NTGP is a collaborative effort of the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, the Nepal Government’s Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the University of Idaho and Virginia Tech. The project used the latest genetic technology in Nepal for wildlife conservation and has built Nepal’s first geo-spatial genetic database of Bengal tigers from throughout the Terai Arc landscape.
Nepal Fish Biodiversity Project: Nepal Fish Biodiversity Project (2016-2019) worked on building fresh water fish genetic database by using novel environmental DNA (eDNA) based genomic tool. So far, working closely with US Forest Service, USAID and IFC (World Bank), we have built one of the largest fresh water fish genetic database in the Asian region, covering two major Himalayan rivers and their tributaries. The information gathered is providing valuable assessment for hydropower development.
PREDICT- Emerging Disease Research using One Health: We have been conducting Nepal’s longest running One Health virus surveillance program since 2012 called PREDICT Nepal. This project has systematically collected human and animal samples from both rural and urban wildlife interfaces to detect, track, and better understand the emergence of new zoonotic pathogens from wildlife and animals (livestock, poultry) that could pose a threat to human health. We conducted seasonal, concurrent sampling of animals and humans in rural and urban communities as well as year-round, hospital-based syndromic sampling in clinical patients of Nepal. Altogether, 26,217 samples were collected from 3,293 animals (bats, birds, rodents and nonhuman primates) and 2,048 humans during eight years of the project. These samples were screened for five viral families—paramyxo-, corona-, influenza-, filo-, and flaviviruses. Behavioral data collected in the clinical and community settings will help identify potential behavioral risk factors that contribute to virus spillover.
Works
Search Professor Dibesh Karmacharya’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Antimicrobial stewardship hindered by inadequate biosecurity and biosafety practices, and inappropriate antibiotics usage in poultry farms of Nepal–A pilot study
Poudel, Ajit, Sharma, Shreeya, Dhital, Kavya, Bhandari, Shova, Rajbhandari, Pragun Gopal, Napit, Rajindra, Puri, Dhiraj and Karmacharya, Dibesh B. (2024). Antimicrobial stewardship hindered by inadequate biosecurity and biosafety practices, and inappropriate antibiotics usage in poultry farms of Nepal–A pilot study. PLoS One, 19 (3) e0296911, 1-15. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296911
2024
Journal Article
Shared infections at the wildlife–livestock interface and their impact on public health, economy, and biodiversity
Karmacharya, Dibesh, Herrero-García, Gloria, Luitel, Bibhu, Rajbhandari, Rajesh and Balseiro, Ana (2024). Shared infections at the wildlife–livestock interface and their impact on public health, economy, and biodiversity. Animal Frontiers, 14 (1), 20-29. doi: 10.1093/af/vfad067
2023
Journal Article
Environmental DNA (eDNA) based fish biodiversity assessment of two Himalayan rivers of Nepal reveals diversity differences and highlights new species distribution records
Manandhar, Prajwol, Manandhar, Sulochana, Sherchan, Adarsh M., Joshi, Jyoti, Chaudhary, Hemanta K., Dhakal, Bimala, Napit, Rajindra, Shrestha, Bishwo, Rajbhandari, Pragun G., Shrestha, Seily, Pradhan, Saman M., Chaudhary, Ashok, Puri, Dhiraj, Khadka, Smriti, Pradhan, Nikita, Poudel, Ajit, Moravek, Jessie A., Risal, Deepak, Basnyat, Nilu, Cardinale, Pablo, Philipp, David, Claussen, Julie E., Gillette, David, Shakya, Sushan M., Prajapati, Genuine, Bertola, Laura and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2023). Environmental DNA (eDNA) based fish biodiversity assessment of two Himalayan rivers of Nepal reveals diversity differences and highlights new species distribution records. PLOS Water, 2 (6), e0000099. doi: 10.1371/journal.pwat.0000099
2023
Journal Article
Natural Clerodendrum-derived tick repellent: learning from Nepali culture
Mazuecos, Lorena, Contreras, Marinela, Kasaija, Paul D., Manandhar, Prajwol, Grąźlewska, Weronika, Guisantes-Batan, Eduardo, Gomez-Alonso, Sergio, Deulofeu, Karelia, Fernandez-Moratalla, Isabel, Rajbhandari, Rajesh Man, Sojka, Daniel, Grubhoffer, Libor, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Gortazar, Christian and de la Fuente, José (2023). Natural Clerodendrum-derived tick repellent: learning from Nepali culture. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 90 (1-2), 83-98. doi: 10.1007/s10493-023-00804-4
2023
Journal Article
Phylogenetic characterization of canine distemper virus from stray dogs in Kathmandu Valley
Manandhar, Prajwol, Napit, Rajindra, Pradhan, Saman M., Rajbhandari, Pragun G., Moravek, Jessie A., Joshi, Pranav R., Shrestha, Rima D. and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2023). Phylogenetic characterization of canine distemper virus from stray dogs in Kathmandu Valley. Virology Journal, 20 (1) 117, 1-7. doi: 10.1186/s12985-023-02071-6
2023
Journal Article
Phylogenomic analysis supports Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission between humans and elephants
Rajbhandari, Rajesh Man, Napit, Rajindra, Manandhar, Prajwol, Raut, Roji, Gurung, Anupama, Poudel, Ajit, Shrestha, Nisha, Sadaula, Amir, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Gortázar, Christian, Alves, Paulo Célio, de la Fuente, José and Queirós, João (2023). Phylogenomic analysis supports Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission between humans and elephants. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10 1133823, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1133823
2023
Journal Article
Rapid genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in a dense urban community of Kathmandu Valley using sewage samples
Napit, Rajindra, Manandhar, Prajwol, Chaudhary, Ashok, Shrestha, Bishwo, Poudel, Ajit, Raut, Roji, Pradhan, Saman, Raut, Samita, Rajbhandari, Pragun G., Gurung, Anupama, Rajbhandari, Rajesh M., Dixit, Sameer M., Schwind, Jessica S., Johnson, Christine K., Mazet, Jonna K. and Karmacharya, Dibesh B. (2023). Rapid genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in a dense urban community of Kathmandu Valley using sewage samples. PLoS One, 18 (3) e0283664, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283664
2023
Journal Article
Newcastle disease burden in Nepal and efficacy of Tablet I2 vaccine in commercial and backyard poultry production
Napit, Rajindra, Poudel, Ajit, Pradhan, Saman M., Manandhar, Prajwol, Ghaju, Sajani, Sharma, Ajay N., Joshi, Jyotsna, Tha, Suprim, Dhital, Kavya, Rajbhandari, Udaya, Basnet, Amit, Schwind, Jessica S., Rajbhandari, Rajesh M. and Karmacharya, Dibesh B. (2023). Newcastle disease burden in Nepal and efficacy of Tablet I2 vaccine in commercial and backyard poultry production. PLoS One, 18 (3) e0280688, 1-25. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280688
2023
Journal Article
Novel strains of Campylobacter cause diarrheal outbreak in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Kathmandu Valley
Napit, Rajindra, Manandhar, Prajwol, Poudel, Ajit, Rajbhandari, Pragun G., Watson, Sarah, Shakya, Sapana, Pradhan, Saman M., Sharma, Ajay N., Chaudhary, Ashok, Johnson, Christine K., Mazet, Jonna K. and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2023). Novel strains of Campylobacter cause diarrheal outbreak in Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Kathmandu Valley. PLoS One, 18 (3) e0270778, 1-11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270778
2023
Journal Article
Identification and characterization of probiotics isolated from indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) of Nepal
Gupta, Mohan, Raut, Roji, Manandhar, Sulochana, Chaudhary, Ashok, Shrestha, Ujwal, Dangol, Saubhagya, G. C., Sudarshan, Budha, Keshab Raj, Karki, Gaurab, Díaz-Sánchez, Sandra, Gortazar, Christian, de la Fuente, José, Rajbhandari, Pragun, Manandhar, Prajwol, Napit, Rajindra and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2023). Identification and characterization of probiotics isolated from indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) of Nepal. PLoS One, 18 (1) e0280412, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280412
2022
Journal Article
Differentially represented proteins in response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis identified by quantitative serum proteomics in Asian elephants
Villar, Margarita, Rajbhandari, Rajesh Man, Artigas-Jerónimo, Sara, Contreras, Marinela, Sadaula, Amir, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Alves, Paulo Célio, Gortázar, Christian and de la Fuente, José (2022). Differentially represented proteins in response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis identified by quantitative serum proteomics in Asian elephants. Pathogens, 11 (9) 1010, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11091010
2022
Journal Article
Molecular and morphological identification of frog species collected at Rara Lake in Rara National Park, Nepal
Shrestha, Biraj, Suwal, Sanej P., Pandey, Binita, Joshi, Jyoti, Manandhar, Prajwol, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Ohler, Annemarie, Dubois, Alain and O’Connell, Kyle A. (2022). Molecular and morphological identification of frog species collected at Rara Lake in Rara National Park, Nepal. Zootaxa, 5168 (2), 222-236. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5168.2.8
2021
Journal Article
The COVID-19 pandemic is intricately linked to biodiversity loss and ecosystem health
Lawler, Odette K., Allan, Hannah L., Baxter, Peter W. J., Castagnino, Romi, Tor, Marina Corella, Dann, Leah E., Hungerford, Joshua, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Lloyd, Thomas J., López-Jara, María José, Massie, Gloeta N., Novera, Junior, Rogers, Andrew M. and Kark, Salit (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic is intricately linked to biodiversity loss and ecosystem health. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5 (11), e840-e850. doi: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00258-8
2021
Journal Article
Climate change and health vulnerability in Nepal: a systematic review of the literature since 2010
Tome, Joana, Richmond, Holly L., Rahman, Munshi, Karmacharya, Dibesh and Schwind, Jessica S. (2021). Climate change and health vulnerability in Nepal: a systematic review of the literature since 2010. Global Public Health, 17 (7), 1406-1419. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1924824
2021
Journal Article
Health reporting characteristics among journalists in Nepal utilizing a one health framework
Schwind, Jessica S., Norman, Stephanie A., Rahman, Munshi Khaledur, Richmond, Holly L., Dixit, Sameer M., Rajbhandari, Rajesh M., Wagner, Sarah K. and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2021). Health reporting characteristics among journalists in Nepal utilizing a one health framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (5) 2784, 2784. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052784
2019
Journal Article
Gut microbiota and their putative metabolic functions in fragmented Bengal tiger population of Nepal
Karmacharya, Dibesh, Manandhar, Prajwol, Manandhar, Sulochana, Sherchan, Adarsh M., Sharma, Ajay N., Joshi, Jyoti, Bista, Manisha, Bajracharya, Shailendra, Awasthi, Nagendra P., Sharma, Netra, Llewellyn, Bronwyn, Waits, Lisette P., Thapa, Kanchan, Kelly, Marcella J., Vuyisich, Momchilo, Starkenburg, Shawn R., Hero, Jean-Marc, Hughes, Jane, Wultsch, Claudia, Bertola, Laura, Fountain-Jones, Nicholas M. and Sinha, Amit K. (2019). Gut microbiota and their putative metabolic functions in fragmented Bengal tiger population of Nepal. PLoS One, 14 (8), e0221868. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221868
2019
Journal Article
A herpetological survey of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, and phylogenetic identification of Megophrys (Xenophrys) zhangi
O’Connell, Kyle A., Aryal, Prakash C., Sherchan, Adarsh M., Dhakal, Bimala, Chaudhary, Hemanta Kumari, Ranabhat, Rishi and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2019). A herpetological survey of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, and phylogenetic identification of Megophrys (Xenophrys) zhangi. Journal of Natural History, 53 (23-24), 1421-1437. doi: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1655106
2019
Journal Article
Correction: Surveillance of Influenza A Virus and Its Subtypes in Migratory Wild Birds of Nepal
Karmacharya, Dibesh, Manandhar, Sulochana, Sharma, Ajay, Bhatta, Tarka, Adhikari, Pratikshya, Sherchan, Adarsh Man, Shrestha, Bishwo, Bista, Manisha, Rajbhandari, Rajesh, Oberoi, Mohinder, Bisht, Khadak, Hero, Jean-Marc, Dissanayake, Ravi, Dhakal, Maheshwar, Hughes, Jane and Debnath, Nitish (2019). Correction: Surveillance of Influenza A Virus and Its Subtypes in Migratory Wild Birds of Nepal. PloS One, 14 (6) e0218344, e0218344. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218344
2018
Journal Article
Earthquake exposures and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents from Phulpingdanda village, Nepal: a cross-sectional study
Schwind, Jessica S., Formby, Clara B., Santangelo, Susan L., Norman, Stephanie A., Brown, Rebecca, Frances, Rebecca Hoffman, Koss, Elisabeth and Karmacharya, Dibesh (2018). Earthquake exposures and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents from Phulpingdanda village, Nepal: a cross-sectional study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 12 (1) 54. doi: 10.1186/s13034-018-0257-9
2018
Journal Article
The unique genetic adaptation of the Himalayan wolf to high-altitudes and consequences for conservation
Werhahn, Geraldine, Senn, Helen, Ghazali, Muhammad, Karmacharya, Dibesh, Sherchan, Adarsh Man, Joshi, Jyoti, Kusi, Naresh, López-Bao, José Vincente, Rosen, Tanya, Kachel, Shannon, Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio and Macdonald, David W. (2018). The unique genetic adaptation of the Himalayan wolf to high-altitudes and consequences for conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation, 16 e00455, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00455
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Dibesh Karmacharya is:
- Available for supervision
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