Aashish Pokharel
In his own words ...
Where are you from, and why did you choose to study at UGA CAES?
I am originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. I graduated high school in 2018 and came to Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO in 2019. I received a B.S. in Agronomy: Crop Science with a horticulture minor in December 2022. Then I worked as a Seed manufacturing technician at Bayer's Hazelwood Seed Processing Center in St Louis, MO for 5 months and started my Master's Program at UGA in Fall 2023. I was looking for the best plant breeding school in the States. Luckily, I had a great interaction with the UGA school booth at Tri-society's annual meeting in Baltimore in the fall of 2022. Then I decided to study at UGA CAES.
Tell us about your thesis/dissertation research.
I work with Dr. Nino Brown in his Peanut Breeding Lab at UGA Tifton. My thesis research is about the seed size and shelling quality trait QTL mapping in an elite peanut population.
Who is your major professor?
Dr Nino Brown
Why did you choose your major(s)?
I discovered about plant breeding in one of my undergrad classes where I first heard about CRISPR. Blown away by its impact in the field of plant industry I decided to pursue plant breeding. Also, from the early beginning, I felt like I had more tendency to like the plant side of agriculture probably because of my spiritual personality.
What is your favorite class you have taken?
1. Plant Breeding Practicum 2.Conservation of Plant Germplasm Resources
Who has been your favorite instructor?
Dr Cecilia E. McGregor
What has been the best experience you've had so far at the college?
Visiting different breeding programs as a part of the Plant Breeding Practicum class has been an eye opening experience for me in learning about the nitty-gritty of plant breeding industry.
What do you want to do with what you have learned here?
I would love to work either as a plant breeder or as a plant germplasm curator.
How has your experience at UGA changed you?
I think experiences at UGA have helped me understand plant breeding from the bottom to the top.
Thinking of the word agriculture - what does agriculture mean to you? In what ways does agriculture impact your life and your culture?
Agriculture means the source of life. It is one of the most important aspects for human civilization's development and life's ultimate fulfilment.
What do you like to do outside of class — hobbies, interests, secret talents?
Outside of class, I love to play flute, guitar, and harmonium. I have composed a few original songs. My other main interests are reading spiritual books and practising Yoga and meditation offered by Sadhguru and ISKCON.