Dr. Sharma is an Associate Professor of Biology at Ball State University.  He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Physiology and investigates the molecular processes of cardiovascular development and regeneration. 

Education:

BA, Hanover College, Hanover, IN.

MS, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

PhD., Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN.

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. Cardiovascular development and regeneration. 

Dr. Sharma lives in Fishers, IN, with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys biking with his family, hiking with friends, traveling, running marathons, and watching movies.

Email: bikram.sharma@indiananepali.org

Dr. Acharya is Director of EPD data analytics at INARI where he leads the data and bioinformatics team of EPD. 

Education:

PhD., University of Georgia. Plant Breeding and Genomics.

Dr. Acharya lives in Westfield Indiana with 2 kids, spouse and a pet. He has endless hobbies but loves to tinker things. 

Dr. Acharya has been involved in NAI since 2015 and has already served as joint secretary and secretary. He loves being involved in community and social work. He has also been part of other networks. Currently, he is also general secretary of NAPA, an association for Nepalese Agriculturist in americas.

Email: ananta.acharya@indiananepali.org

Nabin Ghimire is a Structural Engineer specializing in bridge design and analysis. 

He earned his Professional Engineering License and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Toledo, Ohio. 

Since graduation, he has been working at EMCS, Inc., contributing to various infrastructure projects. 

Nabin has also been an active member of the Nepalese Association of Indiana since 2021, supporting cultural events and community initiatives.

Email: nabin.ghimire@indiananepali.org

Dr. Lava Timsina is  currently employed as senior Biostatistician at IDDI.  Prior to his employment at IDDI, Dr. Timsina worked as Assistant Professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. 

Dr. Timsina earned his Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from University of Kentucky. 

Email: lava.timsina@indiananepali.org

Dr. Chandan Rupakheti Served as NAI president during 2023-2024 term. Below are some of the highlights of the achievements of his team during his tenure:

• Led digital transformation  of NAI operations.

  • NAI website

  • Trello - meeting platform

  • Zeffy - payment system

  • Google workspace

• Achieved significant fundraising (left NAI with 10K fund surplus).

• Conducted successful NAI sports Initiatives (Soccer and Volleyball).

Dr. Rupakheti worked with Rajan Ojha (VP), Nabin Ghimire (Secretary), Pramod Sapkota (Joint-secretary), Suren Thapa (Treasurer), and executive members Dr. Bikram Sharma (also Treasurer), Ivaan Shrestha, Urmila Mainali, Usha Ghimire, Kiran Pokharel, Sushila Thapa, and Dr. Bishnu Thapa in his team. 

Dr. Anju Bhattarai Served as NAI president during 2021-2022 term.  Below are some of the highlights of the achievements of her team during her tenure:

• Organized spiritual and health awareness sessions when COVID-19 pandemic hit hard.

• Raised fund to send oxygen cylinders to Nepal.

• Raised fund (about 9000) to support Mahabir Pun’s campaign to fix and build oxygen cylinders in Nepal for hospitals and needy people.

Dr. Bhattarai worked with Rajan Pokharel (VP), Anish Karki (Secretary), Chandika Dhital (Jt. Secretary), Suren Thapa (Treasurer) and executive members Chandan Rupakheti, Urmila Mainali, Sunita Neupane, Sushila Thapa, and Ranjit Amgai. 

Mr. Regmi served as NAI president during 2019-2020 term. Below are some of the highlights of the  achievements his team during his tenure:

• Launched NAI & NRNA Joint Venture Programs and organized a Health Awareness Seminar on children's diseases, symptoms, behavioral issues, and adult health concerns.  

• Established a COVID-19 Help Desk and hosted a Community Q&A Series with infectious disease experts.  

• Developed a Self-Sustaining Nepali Language Class for kids and facilitated the formation of initial learning groups for 50+ children.  

Suresh worked with Dhruba Ghimire (VP), Arun Bohara (Secretary), Basanta Aryal (Treasurer), Rajan Pokharel (Treasurer), Dr. Pawan Sigdel (Jt. Secretary) and executive members Dr. Chandan Rupakheti, Bimal Basukala, Sushila Thapa, Rajan Ojha, Yogendra Subedi, and Anish Karki in his team. 

Suresh also served as the chair of election committee for 2025-2026 term and worked with Arun Bohara (member) and Khem Raj Khatiwada (member) to successfully conduct the election process. 

Mr. Rajbhandari served as NAI president during 2017-2018 term. Below are some highlights of the highlights of the achievements of his team during his tenure:

• Indy 500 Festival Parade 2017: NAI participated as a Specialty Unit, performing Lakhe dance and cultural music in traditional and Indigenous dresses, earning recognition as one of the best cultural participants in Indy Star.

• Collaboration with Lions Club International: Hosted a handshake, collaboration, and exchange program with key Lions Club leaders, including international and district representatives.

• Financial Seminar: Hosted by NAI-Indiana with financial advisors Brad Clark and Bruce Maginn, covering investment, retirement, tax, and home buying opportunities.

• Concerts: Organized musical events featuring Nalina Chitrakar and Ram Krishna Dhakal.

Fun fact about him:  Mr. Rajbhandari is a National Badminton Player from Nepal who has competed in and won multiple regional tournaments in the US.

Mr. Neupane served as NAI president during 2015-2016 term.  Below are some of the highlights the achievements of his team during his tenure:

• Led a successful membership drive, significantly increasing life memberships to a total of 41.  

• Initiated and organized Deusi-Bhailo program, combining cultural preservation with fundraising efforts to support NAI’s future initiatives.  

• Launched the annual blood drive, promoting community health and service.  

Mr. Neupane worked with Ganesh Pokharel (VP), Dharma Raj Ghimire (Secretary), Dr. Ananta Raj Acharya (Jt. Secretary), Nabin Pudasaini (Treasurer), and executive members Suresh Regmi, Chandika Pandit, Narayan Silwal, and Damodar Dahal in his team. 

Mr. Dhungana served as NAI president during 2013-2014 term.  Below are some of the highlights of the achievements of his team during his tenure:

• Established financial transparency through annual meetings and systematic handover to new leadership teams.

• Created NAI inventory management guidelines, ensuring that NAI property (musical instruments, pots, dresses, artifacts, decorative items) is used only for community service, not for personal use.

• Initiated Nepali language classes for children.

• Supported charitable causes in Nepal such as Eye camp in western Nepal (with Hem Joshi) and provided aid to Bhutanese family in Indy at times of need.

Mr. Dhungana worked with Binaya Regmi (VP), Nutan Prasai (Secretary), and Rajiv Shrestha (Treasurer) and executive members Dr. Bilon Khambu, Khem Raj Khatiwada, Anurag Bhattarai, and others (names TBD) in his team. 

Mr. Bhattarai served as the founding president of NAI during 2010-2012 term.  Below are some of the highlights of the achievements of his team during his tenure:

• Under his leadership as the founding president, NAI was formally established as non profit organization and registered with the state of Indiana and IRS in 2010.

• Executed initiatives such as fundraising for the temple, Nepali language class for children, volleyball tournament, and holidays celebrations.

• Under his leadership, NAI hosted 8th Association of Nepalese in Mid-West America (ANMA) and Nepalese Association in Southern America (NASeA) joint convention. 

Mr. Bhattarai worked with Ramhari Neupane (VP), Arun Rajbhandari (Secretary), Rajiv Shrestha (Jt. Secretary), Rajan Ojha (Treasurer) and executive team members Ramesh Adhikari, Sunil Wagle, and others (names TBD) in his team.