Jeeban Panthi| Teaching Assistant Professor
Ph.D. - University of Rhode Island
Geosciences
M.S. - Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Environmental Science
Contact information
2129 Fiedler Hall
jeebanp@k-state.edu
Professional experience
Jeeban Panthi received both his B.S. and M.S. in environmental science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where his early career was embedded in mountain climate and hydrology research. Before embarking on his doctoral studies, Panthi was actively involved with a research organization in Nepal, leading some high-altitude projects that reached up to 5,200 meters and managing research projects funded by USAID and other regional entities. He coordinated research projects not only for Nepal but also across South Asia. In 2017, Panthi moved to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in geosciences (hydrogeology) at the University of Rhode Island, where he collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Rhode Island State Geological Survey on coastal groundwater research projects. Following his doctorate, he served as a postdoctoral fellow in Kansas State University's biological and agricultural engineering department. During this time, he worked on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-funded project in collaboration with the University of Missouri, focusing on advanced water quality modeling. Panthi is serving as an associate editor for the Groundwater Journal.
Research
Panthi’s research interest is in understanding the complex interactions between groundwater and surface water, particularly focusing on how these dynamics are influenced by climate change and land-use modifications. His work aims to address critical questions in hydrology, enhancing our knowledge of water availability and quality, which is essential for the sustainable management of water resources. He employs a diverse array of technical methods, including numerical modeling, geophysical techniques, as well as satellite remote sensing and data-driven approaches. This integrated methodology provides insight into hydrological processes across various environments at a range of temporal and spatial scales from upstream sources to coastal areas.
Academic highlights
In 2024, Panthi and his team won first place in the Kansas Water Institute’s CoSearch competition. He has secured research funding, including a USGS 104(b) program grant to study reservoir water quality in Kansas using satellite remote sensing. As of 2024, Panthi has authored more than 26 peer-reviewed journal articles and more than 20 conference papers addressing key challenges in hydrology and water resources. He received the Best Presentation Award at the International Graduate Student Conference at the University of Rhode Island in 2023. His early career accomplishments include fellowships such as the United Nations Environment Programme’s PROVIA Young Scientist Fellowship and the Collaborative Research for Young Scientist Grant from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research. He has also received multiple research and travel grants from organizations including the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America and the Nathional Science Foundation.