Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung

Executive Committee Member

Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung is an experienced senior research specialist with expertise in environmental science, water resources, food security and climate change. He has worked in this field for 25 years and has been actively involved in evidence generation through policy research, multi-stakeholder project coordination, and policy advocacy. Dr. Gurung served Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI) in the capacity of Executive Director (2013-2021), where he was responsible for coordinating various national and international projects and developing project implementation frameworks and monitoring strategies. He currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Public Health and Environment Program at NDRI. Dr. Gurung has worked with various international development organizations such as USAID/Feed the Future, World Bank and other UN systems from NDRI. Currently, Dr. Gurung is involved in policy influencing reasonable tobacco taxation in Nepal through a programme conducted in collaboration with Cancer Research UK. His responsibilities include: Identifying data/policy gaps, conducting primary and secondary research, preparing policy papers, and lobbying for this policy. The impact of this policy on tobacco taxation in recent fiscal years is visible, as recognized by the award of Bloomberg No-Tobacco Day (May 31, 2023). Similarly, there are several examples where Dr. Gurung has been able to contribute to policy recommendations, such as incorporating ICT into the design of climate-smart agriculture that combines pure science with citizen science. Gurung led an extensive project in collaboration with FTF/US to identify the problem of mycotoxins in stable foods in Nepal and the policy needs. During COVID -19 (2020-2021), Dr. Gurung collaborated with Cornell University, Institute of Food Safety, US, in the capacity of Subject Matter Specialist (SME) with support from USAID to maintain an ongoing dialogue among concerned stakeholders: Scientists many parts of the world including US, scientists from Nepal, the private sector, wholesalers and retailers involved in the food sector. Dr. Jaya Kumar Gurung is an active alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme through his participation in the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) on “Transboundary Water Resources Management, 2011." Dr. Gurung has published several scientific articles on topics such as mycotoxin management, illegal tobacco trade, and socioeconomic reports. He has actively contributed to conferences and global science events, presenting his findings and insights on climate-smart agriculture and related challenges. With his wealth of experience, academic qualifications, and dedication to sustainable development, Dr. Gurung continues to make valuable contributions to the field of environmental sciences, water sciences, food security, and climate change. In addition to his extensive academic credentials and professional career, Dr. Gurung has research experience in several countries, including the United States, Japan, Vietnam,Korea, Bangladesh, France, and Switzerland.