Research and Program
Anand Tamang
Anand Tamang is the founding Director of the CREHPA. He has over 38 years of professional research experience – first 10 years in India where he worked for Operations Research Group, Baroda, Gujarat (1979-1989). His research skills /expertise are in the field of population; SRHR including family planning, abortion; gender; and GBV including child early and forced marriage. Mr. Tamang is the co-founder and National Coordinator, Girls Not Brides Nepal and Steering Committee member of Asia Safe Abortion Partners (ASAP). He had completed M.Phil. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 1980.
Mahesh Puri, MSc. PhD
Dr. Mahesh Puri is Co-Director of the CREHPA. Dr. Puri has been actively involved in the areas of reproductive and sexual health and rights related research studies and programme for more than 20 years in Nepal. His areas of expertise are on mixing of qualitative and quantitative research methods in researching sensitive topics of reproductive and sexual health and rights. His current research focuses on family planning, maternal and child health, gender-based violence, men’s health, unintended pregnancy and abortion. He has extensive experiences to engage concerned national level stakeholders in the research process and results uptake. He holds PhD in Demography and Social Statistics from University of Southampton, UK and MSc. in Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, UK. Dr. Puri has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as reports, policy briefs and communication articles.
Dev Chandra Maharjan
Dev Chandra Maharjan works as a Data Manager, manages data of all the projects under CREHPA. He has over 8 years of professional experience on data management. He completed his MSc in economics from Tribhuwan University. He is passionate about learning and exploring his working areas.
Minakshi Dahal
Minakshi Dahal works as a Research Associate at CREHPA. She has been involved in implementing various research projects on sexual and reproductive health, gender, non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health including policy analysis and longitudinal studies at CREHPA. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. She enjoys reading nonfiction and exploring new places.
Achala Shrestha
Achala Shrestha works as a Senior Research Officer at CREHPA. She has been working in CREHPA since 2013. She has over 20 years’ experience in various public health field such as safe abortion, family planning, gender-based violence and sexual behaviour, maternal health, adolescent health including sexual and reproductive health and rights. Specifically, she is involved in most of the projects related to abortion. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Tribhuwan University in 1999.
Sunita Karki
Sunita Karki is currently employed as a Research Associate at CREHPA, where she has been involved in the Nepal Turnaway Study, a longitudinal research project. With over six years of focused engagement in public health research, Ms. Karki offers extensive expertise and invaluable perspectives in her role. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from American International University, Bangladesh (AIUB). She advocates for evidence-based approaches to inform policies and interventions, utilizing thorough research and evaluation methods. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys photography, travel, and music.
Sarmila Dhakal
Sarmila Dhakal works as a Research Associate at CREHPA. She completed her master’s degree in public health from the University of Southern Denmark. She has over six years of experience in public health research, focusing on translating research evidence into actionable policy recommendations to inform health policy and programs. Further, she loves to draw, travel and explore new places.
Anupama Ale Magar
Anupama Ale Magar works as a Research Officer at CREHPA and holds a post-graduate degree in Public Health from B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS). She has acquired nearly 4 years of experience of working in different developmental projects and research studies in areas of maternal and child health nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. She loves watching movies, listening music and travelling to new places.
Silviya Chaulagain
Silviya Chaulagain serves as a Research Officer at CREHPA. She has four years of experience in research, program, and communication, particularly in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and mental health. She pursued her MSc in Public Health from the University of Southampton through the UK government’s “Chevening Scholarship.” Her personal interests include singing, content creation & designing, along with creative writing. She also enjoys meditation, reading spiritual books, travelling and spending time in nature.
Aditi Rai
Aditi Rai is currently employed as Research Officer and is involved in the Menstrual Health and Justice study- a longitudinal research project. She has a Master’s degree in Anthropology and has over five years of experience across gender, education, climate change, migration, and culture and arts–related initiatives. Prior to joining CREHPA she worked with NISER ( a private research organization), UNESCO and the British Council. She has established strong professional networks with gender experts, climate activists, social entrepreneurs, creative industry professionals, and journalists. Her personal interests include writing, traveling, and music.
Manoj Sigdel
Manoj Sigdel is currently employed as a Research Officer at the Center for Research on Environment, Health and Population Activities (CREHPA), Nepal, where he is deeply involved in a longitudinal research project. With over five years of progressive experience in public health research and program implementation, Mr. Sigdel brings expertise in mixed-methods research, community engagement, nutrition assessments, implementation science, and health systems strengthening. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health (Implementation Science) from IIHMR University, Jaipur, India, earned as a prestigious WHO-TDR Scholar (2022–2024). A strong advocate for evidence-based public health interventions and equitable health policies, he has contributed to diverse projects on dengue control, maternal and child nutrition, COVID-19 surveillance, and reproductive health across multiple provinces in Nepal. Beyond his professional commitments, he is passionate about community volunteering, leadership in public health initiatives, and enjoys photography, travel, and music.
Finance and Admin
Sabina Tamang
Sabina Tamang is Senior Manager, Finance & Administration at CREHPA. She has over 27 years’ experience in Finance and Administration. She holds a Master dergree in Business Administration from IGNOU open University. She is passionate about singing/ learning musical instruments / travelling.
Radhika Singh
Radhika Singh works as a Senior Officer-Information and Administration at CREHPA. She has been working in CREHPA since 1999. She has over 20 years’ experience in Administration. She completed her Master’s Degree in Sociology from Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus in 2008. She is passionate about travelling.
Anusha Shrestha
Anusha Shrestha is a Senior Finance Officer at CREHPA. She has over 10 years experience in finance and administration department. She holds a master degree in management from St. Xavier’s college (T.U) and also holds Master in arts and sociology from R.R. College (T.U.). She has a sound knowledge of finance management. She is passionate about travelling, arts and music.
Nasala Shakya
Nasala Shakya works as a Finance Manager at CREHPA. Along with Master’s degree in Finance from Golden Gate International College, she has also completed CA Foundation from ICAN. With more than 7 years of experience in finance and administration sector, she is driven by a passion for continuous learning and personal growth.
Meera Pant
Meera Pant works as a Finance Assistant. She has 2 years experience in Finance and Administrative work. She is currently studying BBS. She is passionate about travelling and listening to music.
Popular Rai
Popular Rai is a Finance Officer at CREHPA with over 14 years of experience in the I/NGO financial
sector, and possesses extensive knowledge of bookkeeping, financial reporting, internal audits, and
financial monitoring. He holds an EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) and skilled in
accounting, variance analysis, and financial reporting. He is competent in financial software such as
FAMAS, QuickBooks, and ERP systems. He also holds experience in administration and procurement as
well.
Junu Bhujel
Junu Bhujel is working as Office Secretary and Information Officer at CREHPA. She has over 10 years of experience in administrative and data management. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tribhuvan University.
Shiva Hari Rana Chhetri
Shiva Hari Rana Chhetri is a Senior Office Assistant at CREHPA. He has 27 years’ experience as an office assistant.
Raaz Maharjan
Raaz Maharjan is working as the Driver at CREHPA. He has 7 years’ experience in driving.
Sushila Rai
Sushila Rai is working as Office Assistant at CREHPA. She has 7 years’ experience as office assistant.
Sita Sunuwar
Sita Sunuwar is working as Office Assistant at CREHPA. She has 4 years’ experience as office assistant.
Field Based Staff
Kamala Karki
Kamala Karki works as Field officer at CREHPA. She has been working in different field of research like, SRHR, mental health, GBV etc. in both qualitative and quantitative research since 18 years at CREHPA. She has completed Bachelor in education. She has good experience in data collection. She is interested to exploring new places and doing research in field.