SDSU Nepal Lab

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Genetics

SNP 213, Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory

Oglala Lakota College students Candy DuBray, left, and Charles Bush prepare to do DNA extractions in Associate Professor Madhav Nepal’s lab through the Future Agriculture and Science Taskforce Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates fellowship program.
Oglala Lakota College students Candy DuBray, left, and Charles Bush prepare to do DNA extractions in professor Madhav Nepal’s lab through the Future Agriculture and Science Taskforce Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates fellowship program.

Researchers in Nepal Lab are interested in understanding plant evolution using approaches in molecular phylogenetics, comparative genomics and ecological genetics. The main research goal is to provide interested students/researchers with cutting-edge research experiences that they can apply to their daily life and future career.

Faculty and Graduate Researchers

  • Madhav P. Nepal, Ph.D.
  • Bibek Adhikari (Ph.D. student)
  • Sanam Parajuli (Ph.D. student)

Recent Lab Alumni

  • Dillon Nelson (2020-2023)
  • Jordan Purintun (2019-2020)
  • Bijaya Pradhan (2019-2021)
  • Surendra Neupane (Ph.D. 2015-2019), currently postdoctoral scholar, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida
  • Ethan Andersen, (Ph.D. 2015-2019), currently assistant professor of biology, Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina
  • Sarbottam Piya, Ph.D., (M.S. 2011-2013), currently postdoctoral scholar at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Achal Neupane (M.S. 2011-2013), currently Ph.D. student at SDSU
  • Ben Benson (M.S. 2012-2015), currently research associate at Sanford Health Research, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • Sajag Adhikari, Ph.D., (lab assistant, 2011), currently postdoctoral scholar, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Jyotshna Paudel (graduate administrative assistant, fall 2016), currently at the McComish Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at SDSU
Publications
Publications
  1. Parajuli S., Adhikari B. and *Nepal, M.P. 2025. Insights into genetics of floral development in Amborella trichopoda Baill Through Genomewide Survey and Expression Analysis of MADS-Box Transcription Factors. Scientific Reports 15, 5297 (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-88880-x).
  2. Adhikari B., Parajuli S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2025. Chloroplast Genome Sequences for Endangered Morus rubra: Chloroplast Phylogenomics supports Morus Monophyly. Scientific Reports.
  3. Vestal, S.S., Burke, R.S., Browning, L.M., Hasselquist, L., Hales, P.D., Miller, M.L., *Nepal, M.P. and White, P.T. 2025. Building Resilience in Rural STEM Teachers through a Noyce Professional Learning Community. Education Science 15(1), 85 (DOI: 10.3390/educsci15010085).
  4. Adhikari, B., Pradhan, B., Parajuli, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2024. Genomewide Identification of WRKY Transcription Factors in Amborella Trichopoda, the Basal Flowering Plant Species. Monocytomics, 2890.
  5. Stagner K., Weber, A., Nepal, H.P. and *Nepal, M.P. 2024. Prescription Adherence Rates across Medication Categories. Life Science Reports 1(1):1-24 (DOI: 10.62812/FRUE4067).
  6. Johnson, R.M. Nepal, H.P. and *Nepal, M.P. 2024. Mutations and Antibiotic Resistance in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Life Science Reports. 1(1): 25-35 (DOI: 10.62812/MGJP4087).
  7. Andersen, E.J., Ali, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2021. Necrotrophic Fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Triggers Expression of Multiple Resistance Components in Resistant and Susceptible Wheat Cultivars. Journal of Plant Pathology 37(2):99-114 (DOI: 10.5423/PPJ.OA.06.2020.0109).
  8. *Nepal, M.P. and Purintun, J.M. 2021. Systematics of the Genus Morus L. (Moraceae): Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Potential Responses to Climate Change. In Genetic Improvement of Mulberry in Content of Climate Change (M. K. Razdan and T. Dennis Thomas, Eds.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL., USA.
  9. *Xue, J., Takken, F.L.W., Nepal, M.P., Maekawa, T. and Z. Shao. 2020. Editorial: Evolution and Functional Mechanisms of Plant Disease Resistance. Frontiers in Genetics. 1 1:593240. (DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.593240).
  10. Andersen, E.J, Nelson, D. Mermigka, G., Purintun, J.P., Sarris, P.F. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Wheat Disease Resistance Genes and their Diversification through Integrated Domain Fusions. Frontiers in Genetics 11: 898. (DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00898).
  11. White, P.T., Browning, L.M., Miller, M.L., Vestal, S.S., Lemke, M. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Perceptions and Usages of Online Teaching Resources by South Dakota Science and Agriculture Teachers. SDAOS. 99: 117-133.
  12. Neupane, S., Mathew, F.M., Varenhorst A.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Transcriptome Profiling of Interaction Effects of Soybean Cyst Nematodes and Soybean Aphids on Soybean. Scientific Data 6:133 (DOI: 10.1038/s41597-019-0140-4).
  13. Neupane, S.; Purintun, J.; Mathew, F.M.; Varenhorst, A.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Molecular Basis of Soybean Resistance to Soybean Aphid and Soybean Cyst Nematode. Plants. 8 (10): 374; DOI: 10.3390/plants8100374.
  14. Andersen, E.J., Ali, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Transcriptomic Changes in Wheat During Tan Spot (Pyrenophora Tritici-repentis) Disease. BMC Research Notes 12:471 (DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4517-4).
  15. Neupane, S., Varenhorst, A.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Transcriptome Profiling of Induced Susceptibility Effects on Soybean/Soybean Aphid Interaction. BMC Research Notes. 12:325 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4372-3.
  16. Neupane, S., +S.E. Schweitzer, A. Neupane, E.J. Andersen, A. Fennell, R. Zhou, *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Identification and Characterization of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Genes in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Plants. 8(2), 28; DOI: 10.3390/plants8020028.
  17. Neupane, S., E.J. Andersen, A. Neupane and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Genomewide Identification of NBS-encoding Genes of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Genes. 9:384, DOI: 10.3390/genes9080384.
  18. Andersen, E.J., E. Byamukama, S. Ali, Y. Yen and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Disease Resistance Mechanisms in Plants. Genes. 9(7): 339; DOI: 10.3390/genes9070339.
  19. Neupane, S., E.J. Andersen, Q. Ma, F. Mathew, A. Varenhorst and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Evolutionary Divergence of TNL Disease Resistance Proteins in Soybean and Common Bean. Biochemical Genetics. 56 (4):397-422.
  20. *Nepal, M.P., E.J. Andersen, S. Neupane and B.V. Benson. 2017. Comparative Genomics of non-TNL Disease Resistance Genes from Six Plant Species. Genes. 8(10): 249; DOI: 10.3390/genes8100249.
  21. Andersen, E.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2017. Genetic Diversity of Disease Resistance Genes in Foxtail millet (Setaria italica[L.] P. Beauv.) 10: 8–16.
  22. Nanda-Kafle, G., T. Seale, T. Flint, Nepal, M.P. S.N. Venter and V. S. Brözel. 2017. Distribution of Diverse Escherichia coli between Cattle and Pasture. Microbes and Environments, 32(3): 226-233.
  23. Andersen E.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2017. Data on Genomewide Identification of CNL R-genes in Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv. Data in Brief. 13: 259-273.
  24. Andersen, E.J., S. Ali, R.N. Reese, Y. Yen, S. Neupane and *Nepal, M.P. 2016. Diversity and Evolution of Disease Resistance Genes in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Evolutionary Bioinformatics. 12:99-108.
  25. *Nepal, M.P. and B.V. Benson. 2015. Soybean Disease Resistance Genes and Their Evolutionary Divergence. Evolutionary Bioinformatics. 11: 49-63.
  26. +Andersen, E.J., +S.R. Shaw and *Nepal, M.P. 2015. Genomewide Identification of Disease Resistance Genes in Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae). Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. 94:281-295.
  27. *Nepal, M.P., M.H. Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2015. Breeding System and Sex Ratio Variation in Mulberries. Journal of Botanical Institute of Texas. 9(2):383-395.
  28. Benson, B.V., *Nepal, M.P., +L.G. Davison, +P. B. Duwadi and B.G. Moore. 2014. In Silico Analysis of Cis-Regulatory Elements of Disease Resistance Genes across Six Plant Species. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. 93: 133-144.
  29. Piya, S., *Nepal, M.P., J.L. Butler, G.E. Larson and A. Neupane. 2014. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris; Apiaceae) in the Upper Midwest USA. Biological Invasions 16(10): 2115-2125.
  30. Neupane A., *Nepal, M.P., B.V. Benson, +K.J. MacArthur and S. Piya. 2013. Evolutionary History of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Genes in Lotus, Medicago and Phaseolus. Plant Signaling and Behavior 8 (11): e27189.
  31. Piya, S., and *Nepal, M.P.. 2013. Characterization of Nuclear and Chloroplast Microsatellite Markers for Falcaria Vulgaris (Apiaceae). American Journal of Plant Science. 4: 590-595.
  32. *Nepal, M.P. and +D.J. Wichern. 2013. Taxonomic Status of Red Mulberry (Morus rubra, Moraceae) at Its Northwestern Boundary. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. 92: 19-29.
  33. Neupane, A., *Nepal, M.P., S. Piya, S. Subramanian, J.S. Rohila, R.N. Reese and B.V. Benson. 2013. Identification, Nomenclature and Evolutionary Relationships of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Genes in Soybean. Evolutionary Bioinformatics. 9: 363-386 (IF = 1.5).
  34. *Nepal, M.P. and C.J. Ferguson. 2012. Phylogenetics of Morus (Moraceae) Inferred from ITS and trnL-trnF Sequence Data. Systematic Botany. 37(2): 442-450.
  35. Piya, S., *Nepal, M.P., A. Neupane, G.E. Larson and J.L. Butler. 2012. Introduction History and Spread of Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (Apiaceae) in the United States Based on Herbarium Records. Proceedings of South Dakota Academy of Science. 91:113-129.
  36. *Nepal, M.P., M.H. Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2012. Identification of Eastern North American Morus (Moraceae):Taxonomic Status of M. murrayana. Phytoneuron 26:1-6.
  37. Woods, T.M., S.C. Strakosh, Nepal, M.P., S. Chakrabarti, N.B. Simpson, M.H. Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2005. Introduced Species in Kansas: Floristic Changes and Patterns of Collection Based on an Historical Herbarium. SIDA Contributions to Botany 21: 1695-1725.
  38. *Nepal, M.P., V.N.P. Gupta, O.R. Vetaas and R.P. Chaudhary. 1999. Utilization of Plant Resources of Makalu-Barun Buffer zone, Eastern Nepal by the Rais and the Sherpa Communities. Proceedings of Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, pp. 1359-1370.

  39. Chaudhary, R.P., Nepal, M.P., V.N.P. Gupta and O.R. Vetaas. 2002. Traditional Use of Plants by the Indigenous Peoples of Makalu-Barun Buffer Zone, Eastern Nepal. In: Chaudhary, R.P., B.P Subedi, O.R. Vetaas and T.H. Aase (eds). Vegetation and Society: Their Interaction in the Himalayas. Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Bergen University, Norway. pp. 83-97.

    Teaching Modules >12,000 downloads since 2018, from more than 900 institutions in 137 countries

  40. Chang, J., Ritter, B., Feller, D. and Nepal, M.P. 2024. Soil Health Class-2: Soil pH. ILEARN Teaching Resources. Volume 6 (1): 156-165 (DOI: 10.62812/FQNL2254).
  41. Chang, J., Ritter, B., Feller, D. and Nepal, M.P. 2024. Introduction to Soil Health for High School Students. ILEARN Teaching Resources. Volume 6 (1): 146-155 (DOI: 10.62812/LONN8629).
  42. Little Eagle, M., Janis, M. and Nepal, M.P. 2023. Lakota Ethnobotany for the First Graders. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 5(1): 136-145 9 (DOI: 10.62812/AUHQ9154).
  43. Janis, M., Little Eagle, M. and Nepal, M.P. 2023. Lakota Ethnobotany for South Dakota Middle School Students. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 5(1): 126-135 (DOI: 10.62812/AUHQ9154).
  44. Roy, S., Abrahamson, M., Nepal, M.P. and Butzin, N.C. 2022. Exploring Bacterial Diversity through Hand-printing and Bacterial Art. ILEARN Teaching Resources 4(2):95-105 (DOI: 10.62812/CNZE8705).
  45. Nelson, L.S., Roy, S., Bohnet, B.J., Chase, T., LaBelle, B., Nepal, M.P. and Butzin, N.C. 2022. Teaching Central Dogma of Biology Using Cell Free Environment. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 4 (1):81-94 (DOI: 10.62812/JQXC9436).
  46. Kovash, I., Hossain, T., Mitchell, M., Roy, S., Nepal, M.P. and Butzin, N.C. 2022. Toward Genetic Engineering: Teaching Transformation Using the pGLO Plasmid in High School ClassroomsILEARN Teaching Resources. 4 (2): 106-125 (DOI: 10.62812/YAWI7062).
  47. Pourier, A., Pomarleau, W., Nelson, D., Cutler, K. and Nepal, M.P. 2022. Teaching Medicinal Plants Used by Native Americans.ILEARN Teaching Resources. 4 (1):69-80 (DOI:10.62812/DRXM4549).
  48. Pourier, A., Pomarleau, W., Nelson, D., Cutler, K. and Nepal, M.P. 2022. Teaching DNA Extractions from Fruits (Strawberry, Banana, Kiwi and Watermelon). ILEARN Teaching Resources. 4 (1):61-68 (DOI: 10.62812/LLZJ8456).
  49. Scott, C.W. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Teaching Natural and Artificial Selection in Production Agriculture. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 3 (1):49-60 (DOI: 10.62812/YNIH9807).
  50. Burwitz, S, Roe, K.M. and *Nepal, M.P., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L. and White, P.T. 2019. Recycling Aluminum. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2(3):43-48 (DOI: 10.62812/VYZX7433).
  51. Chang, J. and Nepal, M.P. 2019. Using Drones for Precision Agriculture. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2 (2):38-42 (DOI: 10.62812/KMPN5367).
  52. Colombe, S., McLaughlin, J., Nepal, M.P., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L. and White, P.T. 2019. Sustainable Agriculture Lesson for Middle School Classrooms. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2:34-37 (DOI: 10.62812/QPEI8943).
  53. *Nepal, M.P. and E.J. Andersen. 2019. Using Publicly Available GenBank Data to Teach Plant Phylogeny in High School Classrooms. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2:23-33 (DOI: 10.62812/LYVA3709).
  54. Mueller, J. M., Edwards, L., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., White, P.T. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Understanding Greenhouse Gases. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2:18-22 (DOI: 10.62812/VPML1616).
  55. Hoover, A., Blaha, B., Englin, J., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., White, P.T. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Using a Case Study Approach to Teach Invasive Species and Climate Change. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 2:10-17 (DOI: 10.62812/ETGU8239).
  56. Kruse, T., Forcier, L., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., White, P.T. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Climate Change within a Biome. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 1:5-9 (DOI: 10.62812/VDQW3503).
  57. Colombe, S., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., White, P.T. and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Three Sister Crops: Understanding American Indian Agricultural Practices of Corn, Beans and Squash. ILEARN Teaching Resources. 1:1-4 (DOI: 10.62812/BTCH7525).

  58. Carter, A., White, P.T., Hasselquist, L., *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Parliamentary Procedure Interactive Notebook. Curriculum Resources (more than 2,900 downloads since 2018).

    Extension Articles

  59. Mathew, F., Okello, P., Kleinjan, J., Osborne, S., *Nepal, M.P., Varenhorst, A. and Byamukama, E. 2017. Understanding the Relationship Between Soybean Cyst Nematode and Fusarium on Soybean. South Dakota Soybean Leader, May-June 2019.
  60. *Nepal, M.P. and Benson, B.V. 2014. Understanding Plant's Disease Surveillance. Growing South Dakota iGrow (formerly), South Dakota Extension Magazine.

  61. *Nepal, M.P. 2006. Is White Mulberry a Threat to Red Mulberry on Konza? Tallgrass Gazette, spring 2006: 1-2.

    Book Chapter/Lab Manuals

  62. *Nepal, M.P. and Purintun, J. 2021. Systematics of the Genus Morus L. (Moraceae): Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Potential Responses to Climate Variability. In Genetic Improvement of Mulberry in Context of Climate Change (M.K. Razdan and T. Dennis Thomas, Eds.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
  63. Chaudhary, R.P., Nepal, M.P., Gupta, V.N.P. and Vetaas, O.R. 2002. Traditional Use of Plants by the Indigenous Peoples of Makalu-Barun Buffer Zone, Eastern Nepal. In: Chaudhary, R.P., B.P Subedi, O.R. Vetaas and T.H. Aase (eds). Vegetation and Society: Their Interaction in the Himalayas. Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Bergen University, Norway. pp. 83-97.
  64. *Nepal, M.P. 2021. General Botany Laboratory Manual, Pandemic Edition. South Dakota State University. 75 p.
  65. *Nepal, M.P. and Wake, C.M. 2017. General Botany Laboratory Manual, 3rd Ed. South Dakota State University. 112 p.
Preprints
  1. White, P.T., Browning, L.M., Miller, M.L., Vestal, S.S., Lemke, M. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Perceptions and Usages of Online Teaching Resources by South Dakota Science and Agriculture Teachers; EdArXiv DOI: 10.35542/osf.io/wy9dj.
  2. Neupane, S., A. Varenhorst and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Characterization of Induced Susceptibility Effects of Soybean Aphid on Soybean. BioRxiv DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.25.221275.
  3. Andersen, E.J, Lindsey L.E and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Genomewide Identification of Disease Resistance Genes (R Genes) in Wheat. BioRxiv DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.18.210286.
  4. *Nepal, M.P. and V.S. Berg. 2019. Ecophysiology of Potentilla gracilis Douglas ex Hook (Rosaceae): Effects of Night Temperature and Water Stress on Photosynthetic Gas Exchange. bioRxiv685727; DOI: 10.1101/685727.
  5. Andersen, E.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Diversification of Disease Resistance Receptors by Integrated Domain Fusions in Wheat and its Progenitors. bioRxiv 695148; DOI: 10.1101/695148.
  6. Neupane, S., Purintun, J., Mathew, F. M., Varenhorst, A. J. and Nepal, M.P. 2019. Resistance Components and Interactions of Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Heterodera glycines (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) in Soybean. Preprints 201906.0282. DOI: 10.20944/preprints201906.0282.v1.
Conference Presentations

(Regional/national only) teaching related

Teaching Related
  1. Vestal, S., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., Nepal, M.P., White, P.T. and A. Jensen. Video: Rural Enhancement of Mathematics And Science Teachers (REMAST). 2020 Noyce Summit. Washington, D.C.
  2. *Nepal, M.P., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L. and P.T. White, 2020. Teaching Modules for 7-12 Science Educators. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Virtual.
  3. *Nepal, M.P., Bott-Knutson, R.C., Mathew, F., Janaswamy, S. and P.T. White. 2020. Enhancing College Experience of Native American Students. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Virtual.
  4. *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Integrating Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in Introductory Biology Course for Honors. Paper presented at Upper Midwest Honors Conference, April 4-6, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA.
  5. *Nepal, M.P., Bott-Knutson, R., Mathew, F., Janaswamy, R. and P.T. white. 2019. Mentoring Native American Students for Future Science and Agriculture Workforce through FAST-REEU. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  6. *Nepal, M.P., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., White, P.T. and J.M. Purintun. 2019. Secondary Agriscience Teaching Modules Developed through iLEARN Workshop. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  7. White, P.T., A. Carter, L. Hasselquist and Nepal, M.P. 2019. Application of Cognitive Load Theory to Interactive Notebook Design. Poster presented at the National Conference of American Association for Agricultural Education National Conference. May 21-24, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
  8. White, P.T., M. Lemke and Nepal, M.P. 2018. Analysis of Online Educational Resource Preferences of State Agricultural and Science Educators. Paper presented at the North Central Region Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education. Oct. 4-5, Fargo, North Dakota, USA.
  9. *Nepal, M.P., L.B. Browning, L. Edwards, M.L. Miller and P.T. White. 2018. Immersive Learning Experiences And Rural Networking at South Dakota State University (iLEARN@SDSTATE): A Professional Development Program for Science/Agriculture Teachers. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  10. *Nepal, M.P. 2018. What is Working and What isn't While Teaching High Enrollment Botany Course to American Students. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  11. *Nepal, M.P. and D. York. 2018. Medicinal Plants for College Freshmen’s Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  12. Vestal, S., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., Nepal, M.P., White, P.T. and A. Jensen. Presentation. Using a Professional Learning Community to Retain STEM Teachers. 2017 Noyce Summit. Washington, D.C., USA.
  13. *Nepal, M.P.,M. Orth and D. York. 2017. Honors in Herbarium: Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences for Freshman Biology Students. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2017, June 24-28. Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
  14. Vestal, S., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., Nepal, M.P., White, P.T. and A. Jensen. Paper Presentation: Using a Professional Learning Community to Retain STEM Teachers. 2017 Midwest Noyce conference. St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
  15. *Nepal, M.P., M. Miller and L.B. Browning. 2016. Integrative Lesson Plans Centered on Vertical Hydroponic System: Immersive Professional Development Workshops for Science Teachers in a Rural Setting. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2016, July 30–Aug. 3. Savannah, Georgia, USA.
  16. Vestal, S., Browning, L.B., Miller, M.L., Nepal, M.P., White, P.T., Morton, I. and B. Burke. Poster: Recruitment and Retention of Rural STEM teachers. 2016 Noyce Summit (National Science Foundation). Washington, D.C., USA.
  17. Nepal, M.P. 2016. Scopes and Challenges of Incorporating Active Learning in a Large Section Introductory Botany Course. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2016, July 30-Aug. 3. Savannah, Georgia, USA.
  18. Vestal S., L.B. Browning, M. Miller, Nepal, M.P. and P. White. Factors that Influence Recruitment and Retention of STEM Teachers in Rural Areas. Poster presented at the 2016 Noyce Summit (National Science Foundation). July 20-22, 2016. Washington D.C., USA.
  19. *Nepal, M.P., R. Turner and P.A. Shea. 2015. Helping Transfer Students: Drafting Passport Learning Outcomes and Proficiency Criteria for Natural Science General Education Courses. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2015, July 25 -29. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  20. *Nepal, M.P., M. Miller and L.B. Browning. 2015. From Plant Press to Bioinformatics: Professional Development Workshops for Science Teachers in a Rural Setting. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2015, July 25-29. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  21. Browning, L.B., M. Miller, Nepal, M.P. and *S. Vestal. 2015. REMAST Phase II: Studying Our Phase I Project. Paper presented at the Midwest Regional Noyce Conference. Oct. 29-30, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
  22. *Nepal, M.P. 2014. Collaborative Reading, Writing and Sharing When Combined with Project-Based Learning and Write Like a Scientist Assignments Improved Student Learning Experience in Evolution Course. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2014, July 27-30. Boise, Idaho, USA.
  23. *Nepal, M.P. 2014. Traditional Notetaking Integrated with Instructional Technology Enhanced Student Learning in a Large Section Botany Course. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2014, July 27-30. Boise, Idaho, USA.
  24. Vestal S., L.B. Browning, M. Miller, Nepal, M.P. and P. White. Poster: REMAST Phase 1: Building a Community. 2014 Midwest Noyce Conference. Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
  25. *Nepal, M.P. 2013. Effectiveness of Multiple Instructional Delivery Methods in a Large-Section Botany Course. 2013. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2013, July 27-31. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  26. *Nepal, M. P. and C. Wake.2012. Student Engagement and Assessment Tools for Large-Section Botany Course. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2012, July 7-11, 2012. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
  27. *Nepal, M.P. and L. Browning. 2014. Quadrat to Query Plants and Prairies. Paper presented at the 22nd annual Joint Conference of South Dakota Science Teachers Association/Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Feb. 2-8, 2014. Huron, South Dakota.
  28. *Nepal, M.P. and L. Browning. 2014. Plant Press Make and Take. Paper presented at the 22nd annual Joint Conference of South Dakota Science Teachers Association/Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Feb. 2-8, 2014. Huron, South Dakota.
  29. *Nepal, M.P. and L. Browning. 2014. Bioinformatics in South Dakota High School Classrooms. Paper presented at the 22nd annual Joint Conference of South Dakota Science Teachers Association/Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Feb. 2-8, 2014. Huron, South Dakota.
  30. *Nepal, M. P., +R. Stecher and +A. Perry. Pre-and-Post-Chapter Tests as an Instructional Assessment Tool for Teachers. Poster presented at the American Society of Plant Biologists Midwestern Section Meeting 2012, March 24-25. Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. (Also presented at the Faculty Showcase, Faculty Excellence Day).
Research Related
  1. *Nepal, M.P., Adhikari, B. and S. Parajuli. 2023. Genetic Resources for Endangered Red Mulberry (Morus rubra, Moraceae). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Ecological Society of America . August 6-11, Portland, Oregon, USA.
  2. Adhikari, B., Parajuli, S. and Nepal, M.P. 2023. Chloroplast Phylogenomics of the Genus Morus (Moraceae). Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 22-26, Boise, Idaho, USA.
  3. Perkins, L., Boe, A., Latvis, M., Ehlert, K., Leffler, A. J., May, C., Nepal, M.P. and L. Xu. 2022. The Native Plant Initiative at South Dakota State University. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 24-27, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
  4. Neupane, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2021. Characterization of GmWRKYs involved in a Three-Way Interaction of Soybean, Soybean-Aphid and Soybean-Cyst-Nematode. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 18-23, virtual.
  5. Pradhan, B., Hunter, C. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Genome-wide Identification of WRKY Genes in Amborella trichopoda Bail. (Amborellaceae). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, virtual.
  6. Nelson, D. and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Developing Genetic Resources for Lakota Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Lightning talk presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, virtual.
  7. Pradhan, B., and *Nepal, M.P. 2020. Evolutionary Trends of WRKY Transcription Factors in Higher Plants. Lightning talk presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, virtual.
  8. +Bush,C., Nepal, M.P. and *F.M. Mathew. 2019. Use of drones to identify resistance to stem canker in soybean (Glycine max) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Lightning talk presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  9. +DuBray, C. , +Bush, C, Purintun, J.M. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Undergraduates Botanizing on the Prairie Coteau of the Northern Great Plains. Lightning talk presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  10. Neupane, S., +Schweitzer, S., +Kaluwahandi, S., +Bush, C., +DuBray, C. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Characterization of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Kinase (MKKK) Genes in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  11. Purintun, J.M., Andersen, E., Neupane, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Evolution of Resistance Genes in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its Relatives. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. July 27-31, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
  12. +Schweitzer, S and *Nepal, M.P. 2019. Identification and Characterization of MAP Kinase Genes in Sunflower. Poster presented at Upper Midwest Honors Conference, April 4-6, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wisconsin, USA.
  13. Andersen, E., S. Ali, E. Byamukama, Y. Yen, S. Neupane, *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Evolutionary Conservation of PBS1 Homologs in Family Poaceae. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  14. Neupane, S. and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Genome-wide Identification of Disease Resistance Genes in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  15. +Schweitzer, S., S. Neupane, E.J. Andersen, R. Zhou, A. Fennell and *Nepal, M.P. 2018. Genome-wide Identification of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAP Kinase) Cascade Genes in Sunflower. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2018, June 21-25. Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
  16. Andersen, E. J. and Nepal, M.P. 2017. Diversification and Maintenance of Disease Resistant Genes in The Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Genome. Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science (vol. 96, p. 197).
  17. +Lindsey, L. E., Andersen, E. J. and Nepal, M.P. 2017. Do Native Plants Deploy More Rapidly Evolving Genes Than Their Cultivated Relatives Do? Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science (vol. 96, p. 198).
  18. Andersen, E.J. and *Nepal, M.P. 2017. Evolution of the NB-ARC protein domain as a major signaling component of plant defense response. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2017, June 24-28. Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
  19. Andersen, E.J., *Nepal, M.P., S. Ali, Y. Yen and S. Neupane. 2017. Genome-wide identification of disease resistant genes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; Poaceae). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2017, June 24-28. Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
  20. Neupane, S., *Nepal, M.P., Q. Ma, F. Mathew and A. Varenhorst. 2017. Quantifying induced susceptibility effects in soybean-aphid interaction. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2017, June 24-28. Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
  21. Andersen, E.J., *Nepal, M.P., S. Ali, Y. Yen, R.N. Reese, S. Neupane. 2016. Genome-wide identification of the CNL Disease Resistance enes in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and Their Evolutionary Divergence. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2016, July 30-Aug. 3. Savannah, Georgia, USA.
  22. Andersen, E., *Nepal, M.P., R. N. Reese, S. Ali, S. Neupane. 2016. Evolutionary divergence of disease resistance genes in six monocot species. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2016, July 30-Aug. 3. Savannah, Georgia, USA.
  23. *Nepal, M.P., S. Neupane, F. Mathew, Q. Ma, A. Varenhorst, E.J Andersen, R.N. Reese. 2016. Comparative Genomics of Disease Resistance Genes in Soybean (Glycine max) and Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2016, July 30-August 3. Savannah, Georgia, USA.
  24. Hummel, M.J. and *Nepal, M.P.. 2016. Assessing Phylogenetic Relationships among Anseriformes Based on Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Sequences. Paper presented at the 101st annual Meeting of South Dakota Academy of Sciences. April 8-9, University of Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA.
  25. *Nepal, M.P., +S.R. Shaw, E.J. Andersen. 2015. Tracking Disease Resistance in Wheat through Identification of R-gene Orthologs in Aegilops tauschii Coss. (Poaceae). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2015, July 25-29. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  26. *Nepal, M.P., E.J. Andersen, +S.R. Shaw, J.L. Gonzalez, Y. Yen and R.N. Reese. 2015. Comparative Genomics of CNL Disease Resistance Genes in Six Grass Species. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2015, July 25-29. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  27. Andersen, E.J.., +S.R. Shaw and *Nepal, M.P. 2015. Genome-wide Identification of Disease Resistance Genes in Aegilops tauschii. Poster presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of South Dakota Academy of Sciences. April 10-11, Cedar Shore, South Dakota, USA.
  28. Adhikari S., K. Acharya, R. Chowdhary, A. Charif, E. Byamukama, X. Gu, W. Li, J.S. Rohila, Nepal, M.P. and S. Subramanian. 2015. Efficient and economical molecular diagnostic tools for soybean stresses. Poster presented at the 11th annual AgOutlook Conference and Tradeshow. Dec. 10; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. (Second-place prize winner poster.)
  29. Benson, B.V., *Nepal, M.P., S. Subramanian and S. Ali. 2014. Soybean Disease Resistance Genes and Their Evolutionary Divergence. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2014, 27-30 July 2014. Boise, Idaho, USA.
  30. Andersen, E.J, *Nepal, M.P., B.V. Benson and E.A Opitz. 2014. Undergraduate Research Project on Genome-wide Identification of Disease Resistance Genes in Cultivated Barley (Hordeum vulgare, Poaceae). Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. Botany 2014, 27-30 July 2014. Boise, Idaho, USA.
  31. +Opitz, E.A, *Nepal, M.P., B.V. Benson and E. J. Andersen. 2014. Undergraduate Research Project on Identification of Disease Resistance Genes in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica, Poaceae. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America. Botany 2014, 27-30 July 2014. Boise, Idaho, USA.
  32. Benson, B.V. and *Nepal, M.P. 2013. Diversity and Evolutionary Divergence of Resistant Genes (R Genes) in Legumes. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2013, July 27-31. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  33. *Nepal, M.P. 2013. Effectiveness of Multiple Instructional Delivery Methods in a Large-Section Botany Course. 2013. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2013, July 27-31. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  34. +MacArthur, K.J., +K. Murray, A. Neupane, B.V. Benson, S. Piya and *Nepal, M.P. 2013. Evolution of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Gene Family in Plants. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2013, July 27-31. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  35. +Schreier, S., S. Piya and *Nepal, M.P. 2013. Postglacial Founder Effect Detected in Endangered Populations of Native Red Mulberry at its Northwestern Boundary. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2013, July 27-31. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
  36. Piya S., *Nepal, M.P., J.L. Butler and GE. Larson. 2013. Exploring genetic basis of Sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris) invasion in the United States. Poster presented at the 98th annual meeting of Ecological Society of America. August 4-9, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
  37. *Nepal, M.P. and C. Wake. 2012. Student Engagement and Assessment Tools for Large-Section Botany Course. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America- Botany 2012, July 7-11, 2012. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
  38. Neupane, A., S. Piya, N. Reese, J. Rohila, S. Subramanian and *Nepal, M.P. 2012. Identification of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Family Members in Soybean. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2012, July 7-11, 2012. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
  39. Piya, Sarbottam, G.E Larson, J.L. Butler, A. Neupane and *Nepal, M.P. 2012. Population Genetics of Falcaria vulgaris (Sickleweed) in North America. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2012, July 7-11, 2012. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
  40. Piya, Sarbottam, G.E. Larson, J.L. Butler, A. Neupane and *Nepal, M.P. 2012. Introduction history and spread of Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. (Apiaceae) in the United States based on herbarium records. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of South Dakota Academy of Science. April 13-14, 2012. Vermillion, South Dakota, USA.
  41. Neupane, A., S. Piya, N. Reese, J. Rohila,S. Subramanian and *Nepal, M.P. 2012. Identification of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Family Members in Soybean. Botany 2012, July 7-11, 2012. Columbus, Ohio, USA.
  42. *Nepal, M.P., L. Browning, K. Emo, M. Miller and K. Russow and S.Vestal. 2011. Summary of Rural Enhancement of Math And Science Teachers Summer Conference 2011 at South Dakota State University. NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Conference. July 6-8, 2011. Washington, D.C., USA.
  43. Emo K., L. Browning, M. Miller, Nepal, M.P., K. Russow and S. Vestal. 2011. K-12 Connections: Creating a Community of STEM Educators. The 20th annual SDSTA/SDCTM Joint Conference. Feb. 2-4, 2011. Huron, South Dakota, USA.
  44. *Nepal, M.P. and G.E. Larson. 2010. Natural hybridization in Morus: Is an exotic mulberry threatening the native one? Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2010, July 31-August 4, 2010. Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
  45. Korman, B. L., G.E. Larson, J.L. Butler and Nepal, M.P.. 2010. Sickleweed, an Emerging Problem in the Northern Mixed Grass Prairie. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2010, July 31–August 4. Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
  46. *Nepal, M.P., S.D. Fehlberg and C.J. Ferguson. 2009. Developing and applying low-copy nuclear regions for phylogenetic study in the genus Phlox (Polemoniaceae). Paper presented at Botany and Mycology Joint Congress 2009, July 25-29. Snowbird, Utah, USA.
  47. Fehlberg, S.D., Nepal, M.P. and C.J. Ferguson. The importance of genetic and cytotype variation in conservation: an example from Phlox (Polemoniaceae). Paper presented at Botany and Mycology Joint Congress 2009, July 25-29. Snowbird, Utah, USA.
  48. Fehlberg, S.D., Nepal, M.P., M.C. Ty and C.J. Ferguson. 2008. Evolutionary history and ecological significance of polyploidy in the Phlox woodhousei complex in the arid southwest. Nov. 14-16, 2008. Paper presented at Ecological Genomics: sixth annual symposium. Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
  49. *Nepal, M.P., C.J. Ferguson and M.H. Mayfield. 2007. Exploring A.S. Hitchcock's herbarium: historical botanical findings from computerization of the Kansas State University Herbarium. Paper presented at Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress 2007, July 7-11. Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  50. *Nepal, M.P., M.H. Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2007. Phylogenetic relationships of Morus L. (Moraceae) inferred from nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. Paper presented at Botany and Plant Biology Joint Congress 2007, July 7-11. Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  51. Nepal, M.P., M.H Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2006. Systematics and reproductive biology of the genus Morus (Moraceae). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2006, July 28-August 2. California State University, Chico, California, USA.
  52. Woods, T.M., S.C. Strakosh, Nepal, M.P., S. Chakrabarti, N.B. Simpson, M.H. Mayfield and C.J. Ferguson. 2004. Floristic changes documented by historical herbarium specimens: plant species introduced to Kansas. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of Botanical Society of America – Botany 2004, July 31-August 5, Snowbird, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Media Highlights
Research

Researchers in Nepal's lab are interested in understanding plant evolution using approaches in bioinformatics, molecular phylogenetics, comparative genomics and ecological genetics. The main research goal is to provide the interested students/researchers with the cutting-edge research experience that they can apply to their future career.

Identification and Characterization of Stress Responsive Genes in Crops
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase families in legumes and other crop species.
  • Disease/Pest resistance Genes (R-genes) in legumes and other crop species.
Ecological Genetics of Both Native and Invasive Plant Species
Molecular Biology student in Dr. Nepal's Lab
  • Molecular systematics (e.g. taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus Morus).
  • Community phylogenetics and population genetics of native plants.
  • Introduction history and genetics of invasive species (e.g. sickleweed).