Centre for International Relations

Tribhuvan University

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal


Professor (Botany)
Shiva Kumar Rai
Institute of Science and Technology
Male

Name: Shiva Kumar Rai

Position: Professor

Unit: Department of Botany, Degree Campus, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Other Appointments: Member of University Grants Commission (UGC), Nepal

Email: sk.khaling@gmail.com

 

Research Identifiers

 

Research Impact (Google Scholar)

h-index: 18

Total citations: 903

 

Research Interest/Expertise

Algae, Phycology, Ecophysiology, Biodiversity, Invasive Alien Plant Species

 

Teaching

Algae, Plant Physiology, Plant Ecology, Biodiversity

 

Key Awards/Honors/Recognitions

  • Young Science and Technology Award - 2064/2065 (2065)
  • Nepal Vidhya Bhusan - Ka (2069)
  • Digha Sewa Padak (2079)

  • PhD: Ph.D. (Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India [2007]
  • Master's Degree: M.Sc. in Botany (Department of Botany, Post Graduate Campus now Degree Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal [1993]
  • Bachelor's Degree: B.Sc. (Department of Biology, Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal [1991]

Professional Affiliations

  • Life member of Botanical Society of Nepal (BSON),

  • Life member of Nepal Biological Society (NBS)

  • Member of Nature Conservation and Health Care Council

 

Selected Recent Research Projects

  1. Encroachment of invasive alien plant species across different elevations in Koshi Province, Nepal [2079-2082]; Principal Investigator; Excellence Research Grant granted by Research Directorate, Tribhuvan University, Research Coordination and Development Council, Nepal. (Ongoing)
  2. Altitudinal variation of diatom diversity in Koshi zone, Nepal [2014/11/03 to 2016/05/03 (18 months)]; Individual; Third World Academy of Science (TWAS), Italy.
  3. Studies on algal flora of Ghodaghodi Lake, Kailali [2014-2016]; Principal Investigator; Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Nepal.
  4. Climate change and hydro-ecological responses of glaciarized mountain basins in Nepal Himalaya [2014-2016]; Member; Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Nepal.
  5. Impact of land-business on socio-economic status and natural resources in eastern Terai region, Nepal [2011-2013]; Team Leader; Faculty Research Grant, UGC, Nepal.
  6. Survey of algal flora of Betana wetland, Belbari, Morang [Feb 1 to July 1, 2011]; Principal Investigator; Betana Wetland Conservation Committee, Belbari, Morang, Nepal.
  7. Studies on algal diversity of Biratnagar, Nepal [2010-2011]; Principal Investigator; Nature Conservation and Health Care Council, Biratnagar, Nepal.
  8. Germination and storage behaviour of pollens in jute plant (Corchorus capsularis) [2005-2006]. Principal Investigator; Dean's office, Institute of Science and Technology, T.U., Nepal.
  9. Anatomical study of aerial roots in some plants [2002-2003]; Principal Investigator; Dean's office, Institute of Science and Technology, T.U., Nepal.
  10. Studies on seed germination behaviour of some edible wild fruits of Koshi zone, Nepal [2000-2001]; Investigator; University Grants Commission (UGC), Nepal.

Selected Recent Publications

  1. Dhakal, S., Romanov, R.E., & Rai, S.K. (2025). New and notable records of two species of Chara (Characeae) in Nepal. The Journal of Japanese Botany, 100(5), 454-458. DOI: 10.51033/jjapbot.ID0318
  2. Shrestha, R., Ghimire, N.P., & Rai, S.K. (2025). Seasonal microalgal diversity and water quality trends in Mai Pokhari Lake, a Ramsar site, Eastern Nepal. Philippine Journal of Science, 154(5), 1199-1214.
  3. Ghimire, N.P., Shrestha, N., Naz, S., Rai, S.K., Ghimire, P., Shrestha, S., Jha, P.K. (2025). Diversity of plankton algae along an elevation gradient in the freshwater ecosystems of Khumbu region, Nepal. Hydrobiological Journal, 61(5): 17-36. DOI: 10.1615/HydrobJ.v61.i5.20
  4. Rai, S.K. & Ghimire, N.P. (2024). A comprehensive review of algal exploration in Nepal. In: M.B. Rokaya, & S.R. Sigdel (Eds.), Flora and Vegetation of Nepal. Plant and Vegetation, 19 (pp. 115-172). Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50702-1_5
  5. Poudel, P., Ghimire, N.P. & Rai, S.K. (2024). Algal diversity and its relationship with seasonal variation of water quality in Gajedi Lake, Rupandehi District, Nepal. International Journal on Algae, 26(4), 375-392. DOI: 10.1615/InterJAlgae.v26.i4.60
  6. Dorji, P., Suberi, B, Ghimire, N.P., & Rai, S.K. (2024). Diversity of freshwater algae of Khotokha Ramsar Wetland, Wangduephodrang District, Bhutan. Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, 13(1), 3-11. DOI: 10.53562/ajcb.80595
  7. Ghalley, S.K., Gurung, D.B., Rai, S.K., Wangchuk, K., & Ghimire, N.P. (2023). Diversity and distribution of freshwater algae along an altitudinal gradient in Toebrongchhu Stream, Punakha Dzongkhag, Bhutan and their relationship with water parameters. International Journal on Algae, 25(1), 19-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1615/InterJAlgae.v25.i1.20 DOI: 10.1615/InterJAlgae.v25.i1.20
  8. Roka, D., Ghimire, N.P., Das, B.D., & Rai, S.K. (2022). Variation in shoreline macrophytes and water quality of Beeshazari Lake, Central Nepal. European Journal of Ecology (USA), 8(2), 18-29. DOI: 10.17161/eurojecol.v8i2.15669
  9. Roka, D., Rai, S.K., & Ghimire, N.P. (2022). Seasonal variations of algal diversity in response to water quality at Beeshazari Lake, tropical lowland, Nepal. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 54(4), 1445-1452. http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2022-4(19) DOI: 10.30848/PJB2022-4(19
  10. Dhakal, S., Ghimire, N.P., Rai, S.K., & Dhakal, S. (2022). Seasonal variations of algae in relation to the water quality at Kingfisher lake, Central Nepal. Journal of Plant Resources, Special Issue, 20(2), 1-11. DOI: 10.3126/bdpr.v20i2.56773