Asheshwor Shrestha

Adelaide 5000, South Australia asheshworman.shrestha@adelaide.edu.au

Career objective

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, Environment & Population, 2012 - 2016 (expected) The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South AustraliaResearch area - climate change and livelihood resilience in the Nepali plainsSupervisors: Dr Douglas Bardsley (primary), Dr. Dianne Rudd and Prof. Graeme Hugo
• Master of Urban & Regional Planning, 2008 - 2010 University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USASpecialization in environmental planning and urban designGPA 3.9 out of 4.0
• Bachelor in Architecture, 1999 - 2004 Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering, Lalitpur, NepalElective course: energy efficient designTotal averaged percentage: 80.1 (Distinction)

Professional trainings

• Leadership Certificate Program, 2008-2010 East-West Center Education Program / University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USAGPA 4.0 out of 4.0
• Community Emergency Response Team Training, February 2010 Department of Emergency Management, State of Hawai’i, USATraining and practical exercise in basic disaster response, fire safety, light rescue, team and responder coordination and basic medical care
• Training on Geographic Information System, 15 June – 19 August 2007 Himalayan Institute of Technology, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Immersion Course on Contemporary Social Issues, 24 July – 24 November 2006 Social Science Baha, Kathmandu, Nepal

Skills summary

• Statistical analysis and programming with R: extensive knowledge in data conversion, summary analysis using plyr, reshape2 and datatable, time series data analysis and data visualization using ggplot2
• Spatial data processing and visualization using ArcGIS 9.x/10; spatial data visualization and geocoding with R, ggplot and ggmap; integration of ArcGIS maps with Google Earth/Google Maps
• Other software skills: SPSS, NVivo, Microsoft Access and Microsoft Project; intermediate programming knowledge on LISP, Visual Basic, JavaScript and HTML 5; content management with WordPress and Drupal

Employment history

• Teaching Assistant, March – April 2012 Department of Urban Planning & Architecture, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Roles and responsibilities: Supervise graduate students in studios; give feedback on student projects s individually or in small groups; observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress; grade student presentations and reports.
• Architect & Planner, August 2010 – September 2012 ADF Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Lalitpur, Nepal Roles and responsibilities: Conducted field survey for periodic plans, physical development plans for various villages and market centres; conducted community mapping and project prioritization workshops; prepared disaster management plans, climate vulnerability reduction plans; prepared detail project reports; co-ordinated with line agencies; presented project plans to Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and Village Development Committees.
• Architect, January 2005 - August 2008 ADF Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Lalitpur, Nepal
• Trainee Architect, November 2002 - March 2003 Architects' Collaborate (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal

Volunteer experience

• Innovation lab volunteer at the Adelaide City Council Library, Rundell Place, Adelaide, April 2014 - present (Past experience July 2013 - September 2013); Duties: 3D modelling and printing demonstration and training to lab visitors
• Volunteer for Open House Adelaide 2013 & 2014, May 2013/14, History SA, Adelaide, Australia
• Co-editor in chief for Journal ‘Transformations in Leadership’, Volume 1, No. 3, Spring 2009 published by East-West Centre, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA
• University of Hawai’i at Manoa Graduate Students Organization Representative for East-West Center Participants Association board, 2008-2009
• President, Rotaract Club of Mount Everest, Lalitpur, Nepal, 2006 - 2007

Conferences / papers 1/2

• Paper presented at the 13th East-West Center Graduate Students Conference, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA, “Climate change and floods in the Nepali Tarai – perceptions and climatic evidence” 13-15 Feb 2014
• Paper presented at Planet Under Pressure Conference themed “New Knowledge Towards Solutions”, London, UK, “Integrating local inputs for prioritizing adaptation measures - the case of Nepal” 26-29 March 2012
• Paper presented at the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone-Open Science Conference themed “Coastal Systems, Global Change and Sustainability”, Yantai, China, “Climate change adaptation policy tools for tourism in small islands – the case of Palau” 12-15 September 2011

Conferences / papers 2/2

• Paper presented at International Conference on Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas, Kathmandu, “Preparing for climate change: an evaluative framework for prioritizing adaptation measures in Nepal” 12-14 December 2010
• Shrestha, A. M. (2010). Preparing for climate change: an evaluative framework for prioritizing adaptation measures in Nepal. Botanica Orientalis, Vol. 7: 35-42
• Shrestha, A. M. (2009). Medium is the message: Mahabir Pun as a Leader and Social Entrepreneur. ‘Transformations in Leadership’, Volume 1, No. 3, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA

Awards & achievements

• Adelaide Scholarships International award for post graduate study at the University of Adelaide (2012-2015)
• Asian Development Bank-Government of Japan Scholarship / East-West Center Degree Fellow, August 2008-August 2010
• Citation for achievement, Immersion Course on Contemporary Social Issues, November 2006
• Dr. S. B. Mathe Thesis Award for best B. Architecture thesis project 2004 for Final year thesis project – “Science Museum and IMAX Planetarium cum Theater”
• Distinguished Service Award, 2010 Graduation of Fellows, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawai’i
• Social Action Volunteers, Godavari Alumni Association Social Service Award, 1999
• St. Xavier’s College Alumini/ae Association Social Service Award, 1999

Memberships

• Regional & Urban Planners’ Society of Nepal, Member No. 109
• American Planning Association (APA), student membership, ID# 235027

Extracurricular activities

Member of Nike Rundle Mall Run Club; keen interest in 3D printing, night photography and hiking

Residency / visa status

Permanent resident

Referees

• Available upon request

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