Bhuwan Singh Bist

About Me

I am a PhD student in Dr. Tereza Jezkova's lab at Miami University. My research focuses on conservation genomics, phylogenomics, and molecular evolution, utilizing bioinformatics and genomic tools to explore evolutionary processes. I am passionate about studying local adaptation, species delimitation, population genomics, and range expansion, with an emphasis on understanding the mechanisms driving biological diversity.

Education

• Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (2022 - 2027)
  Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
• M.Sc. in Wildlife Management and Biodiversity Conservation (2019 - 2022)
  School of Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
• B.Sc. in Forestry (2015 - 2019)
  Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Nepal

Research

My goal is to understand how various interacting factors influence and drive genomic and ecological variation in organisms. To investigate these topics, I employ a range of bioinformatics techniques, including next-generation sequencing methods such as Sanger sequencing, ddRAD sequencing, and whole genome sequencing. Additionally, I utilize diverse statistical analyses, encompassing Bayesian methods, Frequentist approaches, and machine learning. By integrating these methods, I aim to develop effective measures for mammalian conservation.

Research Interests

• Artificial Intelligence in Genomics
• Local Adaptation
• Hybridization
• Bioinformatics
• Population Genomics
• Species Delimitation
• Range Expansion
• Comparative Genomics
• Ecological Niche Modelling

Current Projects

• Local adaptation in invasive nine-banded armadillo in eastern United States.
• Phylogenomics of Asian tree squirrel complex in SouthEast Asia.

Collaboration

Open to Collaboration

I am open to collaborating on any genomic projects prioritizing mammals followed by birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Collaborative Projects

Species delimitation of the armadillo in Ecuador, South America.

Outreach

I am a passionate conservationist advocating for wildlife through scientific articles as well as through newspaper articles:

1. Attention Required: Rusty Spotted Cat
2. Climate Change Impact on Nepal Wildlife
3. Changing Climate in Hindu Kush Himalayas

I campaign for game-based conservation approaches among school children and have promoted community-based conservation in western Nepal. I have trained over 500 students from forestry background as well as environmental science from Tribhuvan University and Far-Western University in biodiversity conservation and ecological monitoring techniques. I also keep on spreading fair and equitable use of science among university undergrads and grads.

Books

Publications

• 2021: Bist, B.S., Ghimire, P., Poudyal, L.P., Pokharel, C.P., Sharma, P., Pathak, K. (2021). From extinction to recovery: the case of blackbuck Antilope cervicapra from Nepal. Mammal Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-021-00576-5
• 2021: Bist, B.S, Ghimire, P., K.C., N., Poudel, B.S., Pokheral, C.P., Poudyal, L.P., Wright, W., Basnet, A., Pradhan, A., Shah, K.B. 2021. Patterns and trends in two decades of research on Nepal's mammalian fauna (2000-2019): Examining the Past for Future Implications. Biodiversity and Conservation. 30, 3763–3790 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02289-2
• 2021: Baral, B, Bhusal, A, Pradhan, A, Poudel, S, Chhetri, S, Pangeni, M, & Bist, B.S. (2022). New Locality record of Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva Hodgson, 1836) from Parbat district of Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Zoology, 6(1), 48-52.
• 2021: Bist, B.S, P. Ghimire, B. Sharma, C. Khanal & A. Subedi (2021). Latrine site and its use pattern by Large Indian Civet Viverra zibetha Linnaeus, 1758: record from camera trap. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(14): 20284–20287.
• 2020: Basnet, A, Ghimire, P, Timilsina, Y.P, Bist, B.S. (2020). Otter research in Asia: Trends biases and future directions, Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume 24 2020, E01391, ISSN 2351-9894, HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.1016/J.GECCO.2020.E01391.
• 2020: Parajuli, A, Gautam, A.P, Sharma, S.P, Bhujel, K.B, Sharma, G, Thapa, P.B, Bist, B.S, Poudel, S. (2020). Forest Fire Risk Mapping Using GIS and Remote Sensing in two major landscapes of Nepal, Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 11:1, 2569-2586
• 2020: Bist, B.S, Basnet, A, Ghimire, P, Baral, M, Neupane, A, Pokheral C.P.(2020). Locality records of Crab-eating Mongoose from Nepal. Mammal Tales #21, In: Zoo's Print 35(10):15-18.

Conferences & Workshop

American Society of Mammalogists 103rd Annual Meeting

Bhuwan presented a poster on the "Evolutionary History of an Asian Tree Squirrel Species Complex" at the American Society of Mammalogists 103rd Annual Meeting held in Boulder, Colorado, from June 7 to June 12, 2024.

Upcoming Presentation at Miami University

Bhuwan will be giving an oral presentation titled "Genome-wide variation and signals of selection highlight the range expansion of the invasive nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the Eastern United States" on November 1, 2024, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Photography

I am a naturalist who enjoys capturing images of wildlife, forests, mountains, and rivers during my research expeditions, hikes, or travel.

Contact

Email: bhuwansinghbist38@gmail.com

GitHub: github.com/Genomics-Bhuwan

If you are interested in talking about wildlife ecology, biogeography, or sports or any fun stuffs out of academia, I am open to it.