Project Leadership
MESSHI — Suspended Sediment Monitoring in the Himalaya
Built a suspended sediment laboratory and real-time sensor network from scratch, leading a citizen science team; findings presented at AGU and WaterSciCon24.
Research Associate
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Water Engineering and Management, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE)
HanikLakhe
- Water Engineer & Hydrologist
- Researcher
- Hydrological Modelling
- Remote Sensing & GIS
- AI/ML in Hydrology
- Citizen Science
Natural view: shaded relief and contour lines at a fixed interval.Illustrative terrain generated for this page, not measured data.
About
I am a Research Associate in Water Engineering and Management at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and a Water Engineering and Management graduate of AIT with 5+ years of research experience in hydrology, geospatial analysis, citizen science, and water resource management — from leading the MESSHI sediment-monitoring project to GIS-based sanitation assessments at GWSC.
I am a Research Associate in Water Engineering and Management at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, and a Water Engineering and Management graduate of AIT, with 5+ years of research experience spanning hydrology, geospatial analysis, citizen science, and water resource management. My work integrates field observations, hydrological and hydraulic modelling, AI/ML, GIS, and remote sensing to address complex water and environmental challenges, and I have contributed to multidisciplinary research projects, peer-reviewed publications, and international conference presentations. Previously, I was a Student Research Assistant at the AIT Global Water & Sanitation Center (GWSC) (June 2025 – April 2026), developing geospatial datasets and ArcGIS/QGIS maps for city-level sanitation assessments across Asia. As Project Leader of the MESSHI Project (2023–2024), I established a suspended sediment laboratory from scratch, deployed real-time sensors in the Himalayas, managed a citizen science team, and co-authored findings presented at AGU and WaterSciCon24. Earlier, as a Research Associate at Smartphones For Water Nepal (5+ years across several roles), I contributed to peer-reviewed publications, managed water quality and streamflow datasets, and represented the organization at international conferences. I am open to research collaborations, academic positions, and water sector opportunities.
At a glance
- Role
- Research Associate
- Institution
- Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
- Location
- Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Languages
- English, Nepali, Hindi, Newari
Research interests
Hydrological & Hydraulic Modelling
Hydrological modelling (SWAT, HEC-HMS, MIKE+) for water resources management and flood risk analysis.
Remote Sensing & GIS-Based Climate Risk Assessment
Remote sensing and GIS-based climate risk assessment, water management, CWIS assessments, and sanitation infrastructure planning.
Suspended Sediment Dynamics
Suspended sediment dynamics in Himalayan river systems using low-cost sensors and citizen science.
AI/ML & Big Data in Hydrology
AI/ML and big data applications in hydrology and extreme event analysis.
Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)
Nature-based solutions for urban water management.
Selected work
Climate Risk Consulting
Multi-Hazard Climate Risk Mapping — Cambodia Road Network
Developed multi-hazard climate risk maps for 38 priority road segments across 10 Cambodian provinces for AIIB-funded infrastructure planning.
Hydrological Modelling
SWAT Modelling & Nature-Based Solutions — Northern Thailand
Developed SWAT hydrological models and documented nature-based solutions for urban water management across Northern Thailand watersheds.
Publications
2026
Suspended sediment dynamics in an urban, mountain catchment in Nepal.
Prajapati, R., Karki, S., Thapa, S., Lakhe, H., Bain, D., Gardner, J.
EGUsphere, 2026, 1–35
2025
Leveraging a Citizen Science Approach for Rainfall Monitoring: Evaluating Performance and Reliability To Complement Standard Datasets.
Duwal, S., Prajapati, R., Upadhyay, S., Neupane, S., Lakhe, H., Thapa, B. R., Davids, J.C., Talchabhadel, R.
Earth Systems and Environment, 1–16
2023
Assessing Groundwater Level and Water Quality in Bhaktapur Municipality: A Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon Analysis.
Mandal, R.B., Shakya, S., Ghale, B., Lakhe, H., Duwal, S., Shakya, B.
Khwopa Journal, 5(2), pp. 74–90
2022
Evaluating Magnitude Agreement and Occurrence Consistency of CHIRPS Product with Ground-Based Observations over Medium-Sized River Basins in Nepal.
Upadhyay, S., Silwal, P., Prajapati, R., Talchabhadel, R., Shrestha, S., Duwal, S., Lakhe, H.
Hydrology, 9(8), p. 146
2020
Return level analysis of the Hanumante river using structured expert judgment: A reconstruction of historical water levels.
Kindermann, P.E., Brouwer, W.S., van Hamel, A., van Haren, M., Verboeket, R.P., Nane, G.F., Lakhe, H., Prajapati, R., Davids, J.C.
Water, 12(11), p. 3229
Experience
The bar under each experience shows where it falls between 2019 and present.
May 2026 – Present
Current role
Water Engineering and Management, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FCEE), Asian Institute of Technology
Research Associate
Pathum Thani, Thailand
June 2025 – April 2026
Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC)
Student Research Assistant
Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Prepared and managed geospatial datasets related to sanitation infrastructure, service coverage, and urban demographics.
- Generated maps using ArcGIS or QGIS for CWIS city assessments, investment planning, and presentations.
- Supported spatial analysis to identify service gaps and infrastructure risks.
- Integrated field data and geo-referenced surveys into project dashboards or planning tools.
- Assisted in developing technical reports, knowledge products, and visual materials based on GIS outputs.
- Participated in event preparation, Center-wide workshops, and cross-team documentation efforts.
- Supported other tasks assigned by the TA Hub or GWSC management team.
August 2025 – September 2025
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) — under Dr. Srinivasan Ancha
Freelance GIS & Climate Risk Consultant
Remote
- Conducted a comprehensive climate risk assessment of road infrastructure across 10 provinces in Cambodia, supporting AIIB-funded climate resilience and infrastructure planning initiatives.
- Developed high-resolution multi-hazard risk maps for 38 priority road segments using advanced GIS and spatial analysis techniques.
- Assessed five major climate hazards — flood, drought, landslide, heatwave, and coastal flooding — to evaluate both current and future risk.
- Generated clear, decision-ready visualizations and maps to communicate complex climate risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
January 2025 – June 2025
Water Engineering and Management, School of Engineering and Technology, Asian Institute of Technology
Research Assistant / Modeler
Pathum Thani, Thailand
- Develop hydrological models (SWAT) for effective use in Northern Thailand and conduct case studies on NBS and document best practices for urban water management.
- Organize project meetings and act as a point of contact among research partners.
Smartphones For Water Nepal
Thasikhel, Nepal
- Research AssociateJuly 2022 – July 2024
- Research AssistantJanuary 2019 – June 2022
- Research Assistant InternJune – December 2019
- Managed overall S4W-Nepal data and ensured quality control, including regular data validation and updates.
- Facilitated a research group (Surface Water) and supported idea development, proposal writing, and implementation.
- Authored scientific articles, citizen science stories, presentations, and contributed to peer-reviewed publications.
- Represented S4W-Nepal in meetings, conferences, and programs as directed by the CEO.
- Oversaw organizational programs, awareness campaigns, and managed social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube).
- Prepared monthly progress reports for activities, campaigns, and strategic projects, including actionable insights.
- Strengthened collaborations with stakeholders through effective communication and outreach initiatives.
January 2023 – July 2024
Monitoring and Evaluating Suspended Sediment in Himalaya (MESSHI) Project
Project Leader
Lalitpur District, Nepal
- Developed and implemented project plans, monitoring protocols, and laboratory procedures for suspended sediment analysis.
- Established a laboratory for suspended sediment determination and installed sensors at monitoring sites, ensuring real-time data collection.
- Led fieldwork planning, data collection efforts, and ensured meticulous data storage and management.
- Recruited, trained, and managed a team of citizen scientists and volunteers for field and lab activities.
- Coordinated with stakeholders, collaborators, and donors to align project goals and ensure seamless execution.
- Authored detailed project reports, scientific publications, and contributed to conference papers to disseminate findings.
- Prepared comprehensive progress reports and technical documentation for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions for stakeholders, fostering knowledge sharing and capacity building.
May 13 – June 7, 2024
Himalayan Climate Data Field Lab 2024
Participant
Entrance Cafe, Patan, Nepal
- Collaborated with research groups, including Sensing and Sensors, Chitwan Flooding, AI-Machine Learning, and Re-imagining Resilience and Vulnerability.
- Conducted vulnerability assessments and developed post-disaster management plans for informal settlements along the Bagmati River Corridor using drone and 360-degree imagery.
- Developed a machine learning model to create a landslide susceptibility map, enhancing hazard risk analysis.
- Participated in interactive sessions on disaster risk management, resilience building, and climate adaptation.
- Attended workshops on GitHub, Google Earth Engine, and advanced disaster risk modeling techniques.
- Networked with research enthusiasts and interdisciplinary professionals from over 17 countries to foster collaborations.
Young Researchers' Circle
Thasikhel, Nepal
- TreasurerApril 2020 – August 2021
- CoordinatorAugust 2021 – July 2022
- Managed financial oversight, including budget estimation, fund mobilization, and financial reporting to ensure transparency.
- Tracked expenses, prepared financial summaries, and provided regular updates to the executive committee.
- Led a group of 50+ early career research enthusiasts, graduate, and undergraduate students, fostering collaborative learning.
- Coordinated and supervised the work of YRC members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Involved in strategic planning, project execution, and tracking progress of YRC initiatives and campaigns.
- Maintained updated records, prepared reports, and followed up on decisions from executive committee meetings.
- Contributed to the bimonthly "Young Researcher" newsletter and fortnightly "Environmental News Refresher" (ENR).
- Organized training programs and seminars to enhance research capacity and engagement among members.
January 2019 – June 2019
Himalayan Biodiversity and Climate Change Center (HimBioCC)
Research Intern
Bhaktapur, Bāgmatī, Nepal
- Contributed to an Ecological Stream Health Assessment project.
Tools and methods
The bars next to each skill indicate the level of proficiency
Hydrological & Hydraulic Modelling
- HEC-HMS
- HEC-RAS
- HEC-ResSim
- MIKE+ 2025
- SWAT
- SWAT-CUP
- Rainfall Runoff Inundation (RRI) Modelling
Land Use & Climate Change Modelling
- Dyna-CLUE Land-use Modeling
- Climate Change Modeling
Groundwater Modelling
- GMS-MODFLOW
- Visual MODFLOW
Water Quality Modelling
- Qual-2K
Programming Skills
- Python
- AI and Machine Learning
- Google Earth Engine
- R Studio
Spatial Analysis Tools
- QGIS (Quantum GIS)
- ArcGIS
- PyGIS
- Google Earth Engine
Water Accounting
- Hydrology
- Field Data Collection
- Data Management
- Benthic Sampling, Sorting & Identification
Environmental Monitoring
- Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV)
- OBS Sensors
- Auto Level
- Data Loggers & Other Equipment
- Water Quality Monitoring
Software
- Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect
- ODK Aggregate
- HOBOware
- Microsoft Office Suite
- LaTeX
Education and awards
Education
2024 – 2026
Master's Degree, Water Engineering and Management
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
GPA 3.87/4.00 · 75% AIT Scholarship + 25% GWSC Scholarship + 2 registration waivers
Thesis: Towards Future Flood Hazard Mapping under Climate and Land Use Change Using Integrated LSTM and HEC-RAS Modeling: Karnali River Basin, Nepal (advisor Prof. Dr. Sangam Shrestha, grade Excellent)
Recipient of the Chainarong Na Lamphun Prize and GWSC Scholar.
2017 – 2021
B.Sc. in Environmental Science
Khwopa College, Tribhuvan University
Thesis: Assessment of Water Quantity and Quality of Traditional Stone Spouts (Hitis) of Bhaktapur Municipality (advisor Meera Prajapati)
2015 – 2017
+2 Level, Science
Khwopa Higher Secondary School
2014 – 2015
School Leaving Certificate (SLC)
Khwopring English Academy (Secondary)
Awards
Chainarong Na Lamphun Prize
Awardee · Asian Institute of Technology · 2026
Global Water and Sanitation Center (GWSC) Scholarship
GWSC Scholar · Global Water and Sanitation Center · 2024
AGU Fall Meeting Travel Grant
Grantee · American Geophysical Union · 2021
MoChWo Scholarship
Scholar · Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences (KIAS) · October 2019
Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship
Scholarship Holder · Indian Embassy, Kathmandu · 2015
Languages
English, Nepali, Hindi, Newari
Open to Collaboration
I'm open to research collaborations, academic positions, and water sector opportunities — particularly around hydrological modelling, climate risk, and citizen science. Get in touch via email or LinkedIn.