Divya Pant
Researcher, Entrepreneur, Leader
Education
Ph.D., Agricultural and Biological Engineering
2022-PresentPenn State University
- •Ph.D. in Bio renewable systems
- •GPA: 3.9/4.0
Master of Science, Plant Science
2019-2022Penn State University
- •Major in Agronomy
- •Minor in International Agriculture and Development
- •Thesis: Management Intensive Grazing of Cover Crops for Soil Health and Profitability
- •GPA: 3.92/4.0
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
2014-2018Tribhuvan University, Nepal
- •GPA: 3.90/4.0
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
2019-PresentPenn State University
Ph.D. Research
- •Leading the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for ECO-CBET: Transforming the Nitrogen Bioeconomy project funded by NSF ($1.7 million)
- •Spearheading LCA for interdisciplinary C-CHANGE project funded by USDA NIFA ($10 million)
- •Managing extensive datasets integrating inputs from multiple Life Cycle Inventory databases
- •Employing open-source LCA software, openLCA, to perform complex environmental impact assessments
- •Working closely with interdisciplinary team of experts in agronomy, ecology, engineering, and economics
- •Coordinating with project stakeholders to ensure alignment of LCA objectives with broader sustainability goals
- •Compiling comprehensive reports and presentations detailing LCA studies outcomes
- •Contributing to scientific literature and academic conferences
- •Engaged in outreach activities to disseminate research findings
Master's Research
- •Evaluated soil biological, physical, and economic facets to the integration of management intensive grazing of the cover crop (MIGCC) as the best management practice in Pennsylvania under a no-till system
- •Analyzed soil microbial health (soil carbon dioxide burst, Permanganate Oxidizable carbon, total Carbon) in response to the integration of MIG
- •Analyzed effect on soil compaction, soil structural stability, nutrient & water cycling
- •Conducted partial budget analysis, and net present value analysis to compare farm profitability
- •Collaborated with NRCS, ARS, Capital RC &D to deliver pasture walks
- •Participated in extension program (Pasture Walk) conducted to share findings among 30+ farmers
NSF Innovation in Graduate Education Internship
2023-2024Penn State University
- •Facilitated collaboration between Penn State and Tribhuvan University, enhancing STEM graduate education through NSF-funded project
- •Led a pioneering NSF-funded IGE internship focused on Innovations in Sustainable Energy and Waste Management in Nepal
- •Managed planning and collaboration aspects of anaerobic digester plant (30 tons/day organic waste)
- •Transformed waste into resources for nutrient recovery
- •Conducting Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of biogas systems in Nepal
- •Leading Nepal's first carbon farming pilot at Dhangadi commercial biogas facility
- •Evaluating GHG emission reductions and carbon credit potential
- •Building networks between stakeholders for carbon market development
Undergraduate Research
2014-2018Tribhuvan University, Nepal
- •Led the screening of rice varieties under reproductive stage drought stress
- •Conducted comprehensive field trials and data analysis on rice genotypes for drought tolerance
- •Presented findings to academic and local stakeholders
Publications
Soil and Ocean Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage as Negative Emission Strategies for Global Climate Change
Pant, D., Shah, K. K., Sharma, S., Bhatta, M., Tripathi, S., Pandey, H. P., Tiwari, H., Shrestha, J., & Bhat, A. K.
Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (2023)
DOI: 10.1007/s42729-023-01215-5Correlation coefficient and path analysis of rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes under reproductive drought stress in mid hill of Nepal
Pant, D., Sharma, S., & Poudel, A.
Crop Research, 54, 152–157 (2022)
DOI: 10.31830/2454-1761.2019.026Intensive Grazing Management of Cover Crops for Soil Health
Pant, D., & Duiker, S.
(2021)
Strawberry Grey Mould, a Devastating Disease Caused by the Airborne Fungal Pathogen Botrytis cinerea
Rhouma, A., Lobna, H.-H., Othmen, B., Shah, K., Matrood, A., Okon, O., & Pant, D.
Egyptian Journal of Phytopathology, 50, 44–50 (2022)
DOI: 10.21608/ejp.2022.161763.1070Downy mildew of cucurbits caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis: Disease profile and management
Rhouma, A., Shah, K., Pant, D., & Khrieba, M.
2, 8–15 (2022)
Access to Solar Energy for Livelihood Security in Odisha, India
Giri, N. C., Das, S., Pant, D., Bhadoria, V. S., Mishra, D. P., Mahalik, G., & Mrabet, R.
Signals, Machines and Automation: Select Proceedings of SIGMA 2022, 1023, 235 (2023)
Secure Blockchain-Based Intelligent Internet of Things
Das, S., Giri, N. C., Mazumdar, K., Bhowmick, P., Tiwari, H., Pant, D., & Mehta, S.
Security Implementation in Internet of Medical Things (pp. 23-36). CRC Press (2023)
Access to Solar Energy for Livelihood Security in Odisha, India
Giri, N. C., Das, S., Pant, D., Bhadoria, V. S., Mishra, D. P., Mahalik, G., & Mrabet, R.
International Conference on Signals, Machines, and Automation (pp. 235-242). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore (2022)
Alternate Bearing in Fruit Crops: Causes and Control Measures
Jangid, R., Kumar, A., Masu, M., Kanade, N., & Pant, D.
Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research, 10–19 (2023)
DOI: 10.9734/ajahr/2023/v10i1217An overview on possible management strategies for coffee white stem Borer Xylotrechus quadripes Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Nepal
Pandey, M., Kayastha, P., Khanal, S., Shrestha, S., Thakur, G., Adhikari, K., Shah, K., Pant, D., & Khanal, D.
Heliyon, 8 (2022)
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10445Forage production from intensive grazing of cover crops and impact on soil health
Pant, Divya., Duiker, Sjoerd W., Bryant Ray B & White, Charles M.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2022)in-review
Disease resistance triggered by plant immunity system: concept and mechanism
Bhatta, M., Pant, Divya., Shah, K.K., Giri, N.C., Rhouma, A., & Shrestha, J.
Phytopathology Research. BMC (2022)in-review
Awards & Honors
Harold V. and Velma B. Walton Doctoral Student Endowment in Agricultural and Biological Engineering Award
2024Penn State University
Awarded for outstanding performance and accomplishments as doctoral students
Award of Excellence and 3rd Prize for Poster Competition
2024Bio-renewable Symposium
Awarded the 2024 award of excellence along with 3rd prize for the poster competition
3rd Prize for Poster Competition
2024Northeast Agricultural & Biological Engineering Conference
Awarded at the 2024 Northeast Agricultural & Biological Engineering Conference, Pennsylvania
NSF Innovation in Graduate Education Program Grant
2023National Science Foundation
Awarded $6000-$8000 grant for piloting innovative STEM graduate education approaches
USDA Travel Grant
2023USDA
Awarded $1000 to support research contributions in agricultural sustainability at International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology
United Nations Forum on Forests Invitation
2023United Nations
Invited to attend the 18th Session focused on forest conservation and sustainable management
Community Service Recognition
2023City of New York
Awarded certificate for commitment and dedication to serving diverse communities
Graduate Recognition and Honors Award
2022Lions Club of Baltimore Nepalese
Second Runner Up
2022Miss Nepal North America
Climate Action4Clean Air Business Pitching Competition Finalist
2021ICIMOD & Antarprerana Pvt. Ltd.
Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Award
2021Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society for Agricultural Sciences
Awarded for outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential
Ag Springboard Student Business Pitch Contest - Second Prize
2021Penn State University
Awarded $2500 as winning prize for startup 'Carbon Compost'
International Agriculture Scholarship
2021Penn State University
Awarded $1717 for contribution to international agriculture development
College of Agricultural Sciences General Scholarship
2019-2021Penn State University
Awarded for maintaining good academic records and leadership
Merit Scholarship and Outstanding Student Award
2000-2018Adarsh Vidya Niketan Secondary School
Awarded merit scholarship from primary school to bachelor's degree
Skills & Expertise
Programming
Operating System
Languages
Instrumentation
References
Christine Costello
Research Advisor
Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
Rachel Brennan
Research Advisor
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
Sjoerd Willem Duiker
Research Advisor
Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics
Pennsylvania State University
Mark A. Brennan
Academic Advisor
Professor and UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership, and Youth Development Director of Graduate Studies for Education, Development, and Community Engagement
Pennsylvania State University
Ray Bryant
Research Advisor
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant
AGECO 144: Organic Agriculture
Pennsylvania State University
- •Department of Agricultural and Environmental Plant Science
- •Undergraduate Class instruction
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Sustainable agriculture system
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University
- •3 credits undergraduate class
Professional Memberships
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
2024-PresentGoodwill Ambassador under Miss Nepal North America
2022-PresentAg Springboard Alum Network-Entrepreneurship & Innovation- Penn State University
2021-PresentGraduate Women in Engineering
2022-PresentThe International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology
2022-PresentCrop Science Society of America
2020-2022American Society of Agronomy
2020-2022Soil Science Society of America
2020-2022Amnesty International Nepal
2014-PresentNepal Red Cross Society
2013-PresentResearch Proposals & Funding
Elon Musk funded XPRIZE CARBON REMOVAL- Sanjeevani: Land-based approach for carbon sequestration at global scale
XPRIZE
- •Only team from Nepal to participate in X prize
- •Not funded
- •PI: Pant, Divya
- •Co-PIs Ojha, R.B; Jaisi, M; Dhakal, B; Katwal, A
Integration of management intensive grazing of the cover crop as the best management practice in Pennsylvania under a no-till system
Northeast SARE Graduate Student Grant
- •PI: Duiker, S
- •Co-PIs: Pant, D
- •Not funded
Presentations & Conferences
Life cycle assessment of duckweed based manure treatment system for nutrient circularity
Biorenewable Symposium
Pennsylvania
April 18-19, 2024
conference
Life cycle assessment of duckweed based manure treatment system for nutrient circularity
Penn State Interdisciplinary Environmental Research Symposium
Pennsylvania
April 5-6, 2024
conference
Life cycle assessment of duckweed based manure treatment system for nutrient circularity
International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology
Baltimore
June 18-20, 2024
conference
Life cycle assessment of duckweed based manure treatment system for nutrient circularity
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
California
July 28-31, 2024
conference
Life cycle assessment of duckweed based manure treatment system for nutrient circularity
NORTHEAST AGRICULTURAL / BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE
Pennsylvania
July 14-17, 2024
conference
Life cycle assessment of pelletized duckweed soil amendment derived from farm manure wastewater
International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology
Colorado
June 12-15, 2023
conference
Life cycle assessment of pelletized duckweed soil amendment derived from farm manure wastewater
C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas Annual Meeting
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
May 31-June 2, 2023
conference
Life cycle assessment of integrated duckweed based farm manure waste management
Biorenewables symposium
Pennsylvania
April 21, 2023
conference
Life Cycle Assessment of Duckweed Based Manure Treatment System at Farm Level
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Penn State University
State College, PA
December 7, 2023
conference
Holistic approach to livestock and waste management for sustainability
International Conference 'Sudurpaschim Studies: Heritage, Innovation, and Transformation'
Far Western University
December 13-14, 2022
conference
Forage production from intensive grazing of cover crops and impact on soil health
Penn State University Departmental Seminar
Penn State
May 2022
conference
Impact of prescribed grazing of cover crops on soil health and forage production
Keystone Crop and Soil Conference
October 19-20, 2021
conference
Soil health and profitability impacts of prescribed grazing of cover crops vs double-cropped soybeans
Penn State Graduate Exhibition
virtual
March 23, 2021
conference
Impact of prescribed grazing of cover crops on soil health and forage production
Northeast Cover Crops Council annual conference
March 2021
conference
Management Intensive Grazing of Cover Crops for Soil Health and Profitability
Making Cover Crops Pay, Penn State Extension
virtual
February 2021
extension
Management Intensive Grazing of Cover Crops for Soil Health and Profitability
ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting
Virtual
Nov. 9-13, 2020
conference
Media & Press Coverage
Academic and Entrepreneurial Excellence Interview
News24 Nepal
3.17 million
Academic and Entrepreneurial Excellence Interview
Space 4K Television
340k
Academic and Entrepreneurial Excellence Interview
Prime Times HD
1.47 million
Academic and Entrepreneurial Excellence Interview
Yoho Television HD
1.01 million
Academic and Entrepreneurial Excellence Interview
Ramailo Cha
1.45 million
State of State speaker interview
Blue & White Society Facebook
Community Service & Leadership
Moderator
Club of Rome Global Youth Summit, Penn State University
Organizer
Women Empowerment-Menstrual hygiene and sexual awareness among secondary female students
- •YFAW
Event Coordinator
Agri debate on vulnerable issues concerning agriculture and environment
- •YFAW
Organizer
Workshop on 'Communication Skill Development & Proposal Writing'
- •YFAW
Event organizer
CoP in my city campaign
- •YFAW
Mentor
Network for Women Empowerment, Child-Care, Rural Agri-Research and Extension
Advisor
Youth-led NGO- Youth for Agri Welfare
Trainee
30 days training and educational excursion to learn farming practices and innovations in 10+ states of India
Entrepreneurship & Leadership
Goodwill Tourism Ambassador
Nepal Tourism Board, Miss Nepal North America
- •Placed Second Runner up for Miss Nepal North America
- •Featured by the largest social media account in Nepal for winning Miss Nepal North America
- •Bagged Miss Talent Trophy for Miss Nepal North America, 2022
- •Showcased Nepali language, ethnicities, folk dance, traditions, culture, and food among US government representatives, and local and regional communities in Northeast America to strengthen Nepal-US relations
CEO and Founder
Carbon Away (formerly named Carbon Compost)
- •Carbon Away and Waste to Energy are a sustainable business model that creates economic, social, and environmental value out of organic waste
- •Waste to Energy has built an anaerobic digester in Dhangadi Sub Metropolitan City, Nepal with the capacity to process 30 tons of organic municipal waste/day and produce 1200 kg of biogas/day and 3.5 tons of fertilizer/day from waste
- •The project is supported by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and has a total investment of $250,000
- •Forged collaboration with Dev Training and Management Service Center Pvt. Ltd. and collectively worked on the Waste to Energy Project in Dhangadi Sub Metropolitan City and provided related training to 120 farmers in Nepal
- •Built collaboration among 4 academic and research institutions, 3 nonprofit youth and community development-driven organizations, and 5 agriculture startups in Nepal
Joint Secretary
Youth for Agri Welfare (YFAW)
- •Scaled the number of YFAW's team members, community members served, and collaborators three times during my tenure as a founding member of YFAW
- •Developed and ensured appropriate agriculture training packages for 52 resource-poor farmers in the Parbat, Lamjung, and Tahahu districts, Nepal
- •Coordinated and facilitated training, seminar, and workshop on Integrated Farming and Sustainable Farm Design for 52 farmers
- •Identified and promoted potential agro-enterprises in Nepal which now has scaled up from pilot scale projects to full-fledged enterprises
Advocate
Women's Empowerment and Diversity
- •Advocated for women's empowerment, equity & equality
- •Advocated for inclusion, equity, and diversity at Penn State University
- •Advocating for Nepal US relations through Global Connections- Building Community Across Cultures