Pooja Manandhar

Pooja Manandhar is a distinguished microbiologist with over 7 years of research and 6 years teaching experience in Nepal. She discovered three novel bacterial species and won the FCA’s Climate Innovation for Her Award for developing biofertilizers empowering women. As Founder and Research Director of Nepal Bioscience Research Laboratory, she leads eco-friendly agriculture projects focused on women, climate resilience, and sustainable resource use.

Breaking the Wall to Link Microbes and Climate-Smart Farming: Pooja Manandhar's 2025 Falling Walls Engage Finalist Project is BioSmart Women Nepal.

BioSmart Women Nepal promotes climate-smart agriculture by integrating biofertilizer production with organic waste and forest biomass management. The project empowers women and communities with training and green jobs, improving soil health, reducing emissions and wildfire risks, and enhancing food security. It fosters sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate resilience through innovative, locally rooted solutions aligned with green policies.