Jackrabbit in the spotlight  / Leaving home to find a future

Leaving home to study internationally comes with challenges, but for South Dakota State University senior Bhupendra Sen Thakuri, it also opened doors to opportunity.  

Originally from Nepal, Thakuri’s path to undergraduate research has been driven by a life-long curiosity about the natural world and a willingness to follow opportunities wherever they may lead.   

Thakuri has loved science and math since middle school. Growing up, he constantly asked questions about how the world works. With his teachers encouraging his curiosity, his interest in nature eventually led him toward a career in environmental and water-related engineering.  

“I was always curious about how things work and why things are the way they are,” said Thakuri.  

Thakuri chose to study internationally to gain global exposure and to earn a degree that would be recognized around the world. After receiving acceptance letters from universities, he decided to take the leap and study in the U.S., a hub of research and innovation.  

Thakuri began his undergraduate studies in 2023 at the University of Arizona. At the same time, he completed an associate of science degree at Pima Community College. After two academic years, he transferred to SDSU in fall 2025. 

SDSU was the right fit for Thakuri because of its excellent reputation for research opportunities. Gaining hands-on research experience during his undergraduate studies was a priority for him. SDSU offered him the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while learning from renowned faculty.   

Stepping into the lab  

In early 2026, when Bhupendra approached assistant professor and SDSU Extension water resource engineer specialist Sushant Mehan about joining his lab, the request was immediately striking. Mehan said few undergraduate students actively seek opportunities in water research, making Thakuri’s enthusiasm stand out. Upon reaching out, the two met the very next day.  

“He’s a go-getter,” Mehan said. “He sees an opportunity and feels like it will do something good for his career, and he goes after it.”   

Thakuri’s research uses satellite images from NASA to get a bigger picture of overall water conditions, instead of relying on water samples collected from a few spots in a lake. Traditionally, researchers have traveled by boat and collected samples from specific locations; however, this process only provides information from a limited area. Thakuri’s research combines those physical samples with satellite imagery to estimate how much algae are in the water, how clear the water is and the overall health of the lake.   

“You can’t be everywhere on the lake at the same time, but satellites can help us see the bigger picture,” said Thakuri.  

The largest impact of this research is identifying certain harmful algae blooms that are dangerous to people, pets and wildlife. By using satellite imagery, researchers may eventually be able to identify high-risk areas more quickly and across larger sections of a lake.   

Overcoming hurdles  

While Thakuri’s ambition has opened doors to research grants from the Fishback Honors College and College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, internships and leadership roles, there have been many challenges he has had to overcome. Operating various equipment and being precise with testing has put his patience to the test. He also noted that balancing research along with coursework, extracurriculars and internships comes with many difficulties.   

According to Mehan, Thakuri’s eagerness to pursue opportunities is one of his greatest strengths, though balancing all his commitments has required continual growth.   

“I am happy he has been able to learn things,” said Mehan. “I’m very hopeful he’ll be able to use these skills somewhere if he goes into the natural resources discipline.”  

For Thakuri, the most challenging part of being an international student is being away from his family and friends in Nepal. However, even though he is missed, his family is extremely proud and happy he is pursuing his education and creating the future he has always wanted.  

Community and connection  

Outside of his coursework and research, Thakuri has made a point to stay involved on campus. He serves as the secretary of Lohr College of Engineering’s Joint Engineering Council and is a member of the South Dakota Student Water and Wastewater Association.

He is also active in the Nepalese Student Association, an organization he feels helps him feel connected to home and provides him with a strong community. Away from academics, he enjoys reading, running and spending time in nature.   

What lies ahead  

Looking forward to the future, Thakuri is interested both in gaining industry experience and research opportunities. Upon graduation in May, he plans to work in the natural resource field and eventually attend graduate school.  

For Bhupendra Sen Thakuri, the willingness to ask questions, embrace challenges and pursue new opportunities has shaped every step of his journey. From Nepal to SDSU’s research labs, that same curiosity continues to guide where he hopes to go next.