Khadka Awarded IPCC Scholarship

PhD student Mira Khadka has been awarded the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Scholarship for PhD Research on Remote Sensing and Modeling of Mountain Glaciers.  

As a PhD student under the supervision of Professor David Rounce, Khadka is developing scientific skills in remote sensing and glacier modeling. By leveraging the capabilities of cloud computing, her research enables the streamlined and scalable analysis of extensive collections of satellite data. This analysis yields invaluable observations regarding the fluctuations in glacier melt across space and time. The primary goal of this methodology is to advance our comprehension of the mechanisms governing glacier responses to shifts in climate patterns. Consequently, this advancement contributes to more accurate projections of glacier transformations, particularly during the crucial timeframe leading up to year 2100.

Additionally, she has actively participated in dialogues concerning cryosphere science policy within United Nations policy forums. Her involvement aims to establish a connection between research findings and the consequential negotiations and judgments made in the policy realm, fostering a more meaningful impact. 

"I am filled with gratitude and excitement upon receiving this scholarship from the IPCC,” says Khadka. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the IPCC for this remarkable opportunity, and I would like to express my appreciation to Professor David Rounce, whose constant support and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my academic pursuits."

Khadka earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Tribhuvan University in Nepal, followed by an Erasmus Mundus master's program in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management (MESPOM) from University of Manchester (UK), Central European University (Austria) and University of the Aegean (Greece). Prior to starting her graduate studies at CMU, she also pursued specialized research program in Glaciology from Kathmandu University, Nepal and worked as a Glaciological Research Associate at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)