Meet The Team

Hello! Welcome to my Soil and Water Quality program at Kentucky State University. You will know more about me and what I do in the "My Portfolio" page.

My name is Sandeep Airee, I received Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal. My motto is to learn something new every day and actively seek feedback to grow. I am currently studying in the final semester of the Master of Science in Environmental Studies Program (MES) working as a Graduate Research Assistant under Dr. Atanu Mukherjee at the Kentucky State University. I have always thought of involving myself in soil health and water quality, soil information management, soil, and water sampling processing, and analysis of its physicochemical chemical properties, for the rest of my life by which I won't feel my work as a load but rather as fun. I am working on an Evans Allen research project entitled “Impacts of contrasting farm practices on water quality over temporal and spatial scales. My hobbies include playing badminton, cricket and watching movies. I love learning through practical experiences and enjoy fostering innovative ideas into action.

My name is Asmita Bhandari. I was born and raised in Nepal, where my deep connection to the soil, land, and crops was nurtured from an early age. I completed my undergraduate degree in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan, Nepal, in 2022. Currently, I am a graduate research assistant at Kentucky State University, where I am pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies. My research focuses on enhancing soil health under organic management principles, a field I am deeply passionate about. I absolutely love spending time in the lab, learning new instruments and methods to advance my research. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and playing table tennis and volleyball. Both in research and sports, I believe in the importance of hard work and dedication.

My name is Prakriti Paudel. I am from Chitwan, Nepal. I completed my undergraduate studies from Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University of Nepal. Currently, I am working as a Graduate Research Assistant under the guidance of Dr. Atanu Mukherjee. My research title is “Impacts of different fertility management practices on leachate water quality”. The primary objective of my research is to assess the effects of contrasting farm practices on water quality over temporal and spatial scales. My hobbies include reading books, travelling to new places, gardening etc. I envision a career in the field of academia and research.

My name is Ngozi Benjamin from Delta State, Nigeria. I hold a Bachelor's degree from Delta State University and  I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental studies at Kentucky State University (KSU). My research focuses on how compost, manure, and fertilizer affect soil erodibility, sediment loss, and water quality- aimed at advancing sustainable agricultural practices. As part of the  Evans-Allen project, I am committed to translating research into real-word solutions that support farming communities and conserve natural resources.  My goal is to help farmers adopt eco-friendly practices that improve crop productivity while protecting the soil and water for future generations.

Outside of academics, I enjoy singing, reading, and exploring nature trails, activities that fuel my creativity and deepen my connection to the environment.

My name is Olufisayo Obebe, and I am from Nigeria. I hold a bachelor's degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Currently, I am a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University, working under the guidance of Dr. Atanu Mukherjee to advance my academic career.

My research focuses on the "Comparative Analysis of Manure, Compost, and Fertilizer on the Improvement of Soil Nutrient Levels in Surrounding Corn and Soybean Fields in Kentucky." The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different soil amendment practices in enhancing soil health and nutrient composition over time.

Beyond academics, I have a strong passion for environmental sustainability and agricultural research. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, listening to music, and building new connections.