Professor Toni Barstis from Saint Mary’s College, Indiana, USA concluded her three week long stay at Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences (KIAS) on Wednesday. Dr. Barstis was hosted by the Center for Analytical Sciences at KIAS as a part of PEER supported research project. This project led by KIAS scientist Dr. Basant Giri aims to develop low-cost analytical techniques/methods to measuring pesticide residues and (oo)cysts on food samples.

Dr. Barstis and her student Anna Shadid interacted with researchers involved in PEER project at KIAS and participated in discussion on prospective paper-based device design for pesticide residue measurement. They also helped install and use of wax-printer recently obtained at KIAS. This visit was also aimed at preparatory work on future research collaboration. Dr. Barstis and Ms. Shadid along with KIAS researchers visited two high schools in Bhaktapur and interacted with students and teachers on science education and women empowerment through education. They also visited some cultural and historical sites in Kathmandu valley.

Below are some of the photographs highlighting their visit to KIAS.

Dr. Barstis’s trip to Nepal was supported by PEER-USG supported partner cooperation supplement grant by