Career Links Page for Chhatra M Sharma

Statement of current and prospective interests (research and teaching)

I did MSc in zoology from the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 1996 securing first class first position and awarded the Gold Medal. The title of the thesis was ‘Study on the Fish Biodiversity and Fishery Resources of the Tinau River’, Nepal. I completed another MSc in Management of Natural Resources from the Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (former Agricultural University of Norway) in 2003. My research title of the thesis was ‘Biological Impacts and Local Perceptions of Tinau River Dam, Nepal’. Currently, I have been doing PhD studies at the Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway.

After completing MSc in fish biodiversity and natural resource management from Nepal and Norway respectively, I have been engaging myself in the research work related to the field of Aquatic Biology. My recent research work in connection to the PhD studies involves the biomanipulation of a lake and its impacts on different aspects of fish community; e.g. change in population densities, habitat utilization and diets, mercury contamination, food web studies based on stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon interpretations, and persistent organic pollutants. Experiences in statistics and basic knowledge in GIS are other aspects that would help me to enhance my performance in research.

Before starting my studies in Norway, I joined the People Wildlife Project as a Research Assistant and studied crop and livestock depredation by wild animals in Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, Nepal. I held this position for over a year. This has increased my research experience and developed my confidence to continue a research career.

I was employed as a Lecturer (part time) in Tri-Chandra Campus, Tribhuvan University for about four years (December, 1997 to July, 2001). I also worked as full time Lecturer of Zoology at St. Xavier’s Campus, Tribhuvan University from July 1998 to July 2001. I was involved in teaching zoology to graduate (BSc) and undergraduate students.

I am interested to continue my career in aquatic biology as I have demonstrated experience in different aspects of freshwater fisheries. Particularly, I have developed a good skill to work on temperate lake environments. If opportunity arises, I would also like to compare different aspects of lake ecosystems in temperate and tropical regions because I have experience from both parts of the world. I believe, my teaching as well as research experiences in freshwater fisheries would enable me to prove my skills in the field of aquatic biology.

Chhatra Mani Sharma
Research Fellow (PhD Candidate)
Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
Tel: (0047) 6496 5777, Fax: (0047) 64965801, Email: chhatra.sharma@umb.no