MEET THE SPEAKERS-PEER Bhutan Symposium 2023 Technical Session III

Technical Session III

We have three intellectual speakers from diverse backgrounds and they are:

1. Mr. Tshewang Dendup will present his research topic on “Understanding of Source Waters and Recharge Mechanisms of Mountain Springs and Streams in Radhi and Phongmey Gewongs in Trashigang”.

Mr. Dhendup is a lecturer at the Royal University of Bhutan and a Coordinator of the Center for Science and Environmental Research at Sherubtse College. His primary research interest is watershed hydrology, focusing on the identification and quantification of water sources for stream runoff and springs using isotopic and geochemical tracers.

2. Dr. Nidup Dorji will present his research topic on “Health-related Quality of life and psychological wellbeing among people living with HIV in Bhuatns”.

Mr. Dorji is an Assistant Professor and Deputy Dean of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences at the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Science in Bhutan.

He has published scientific articles including book chapters in national and international peer-reviewed journals as a first and second author through independent research undertakings and collaborations. Moreover, he is an editorial member of the Bhutan Journal of Management and serves as an external reviewer for national and international journals.

3. Dr.Carrie Antal will present her research topic on “USAID partnership in Bhutan and the region”.

Dr. Antal is a Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development, where she currently serves as the lead for Bhutan and the Trade and Connectivity portfolios out of the Agency’s mission in Delhi, India.

She joined USAID in 2011 as an Education Officer and her previous roles have included serving as the Basic Education lead in Rwanda and Pakistan, Officer Director for Food Security, Governance, Education, and Humanitarian Aid in Madagascar, and Senior Development Advisor to the US Military at the Army War College in the United States.

4. Dr.Andrew Gerard will present his research topic on “Research and Innovation at USAID”.

Dr. Gerard is Program Manager on the Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Program, which provides research grants to developing country researchers who partner with U.S government-funded scholars. Prior to joining USAID in 2020, Dr. Gerard worked as a research assistant and project manager at Michigan State University while completing a Ph.D.

Before pursuing his Ph.D, he worked at the Global Knowledge Initiative, where he focused on building global research networks and collaborating with African governments and other stakeholders on science and technology policy and strategy.

5. Dr.Sonam Wangchuk will present his research on “Preliminary findings of the Moderna Vaccine immunogenicity and reactogenicity study by KGUMSB(Moderna Bhutan Project)”.

 Dr. Wangchuk is a Specialist at Royal Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health. He is a recipient of the ICEID 2012 Leaders Award and has published 40 research articles in various journals mainly on infectious diseases as primary author and co-author.

#JoinUS and watch as their research findings unfold on September 14th 2023 in Heron Hall, RSPN Head Office, Kawajangsa, Thimphu District

MEET THE SPEAKERS-PEER Bhutan Symposium 2023, Technical Session III