Navigating Barriers as a Young Researcher in Nepal
“As an early-career researcher from the Global South, securing research funding has been a significant challenge,” says Dr Sulochana Manandhar of OUCRU Nepal. “A limited scientific network and lack of mentorship made it harder to refine my ideas and design studies that could move from concept to reality.”
Trained in microbiology, Dr Manandhar’s early research centred on bacterial neonatal infections, including that of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) and associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While technically proficient, she struggled to translate her ideas into fundable, feasible research. “I often focused heavily on the scientific details, without fully understanding how to connect my work to broader health systems or real-world priorities,” she reflects.
That began to change in 2024, when Dr Manandhar joined the MORU–OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA), a transformative step that helped her move beyond the lab bench and into clinical research leadership. “MODRA introduced me to the logical framework tool for proposal writing,” Dr Manandhar explains. “It helped me define clear research outputs and outcomes, and to align my proposal with real-world needs and funder expectations.”
Through structured training and tailored mentorship, she developed a system-aware approach to research. “My mentors taught me how to think beyond the science. They gave me crucial insights into how funding bodies assess proposals, especially how they value real-world impact and social relevance alongside scientific findings.”
Leading Her First Hospital-Based Study
With support from MODRA’s seed award, Dr Manandhar is now leading her first clinical study, investigating the prevalence of GBS among pregnant women and newborns in Nepal. Although GBS is known to cause neonatal infections globally, it remains underreported in Nepal.
“Conducting a hospital-based study has been a steep learning curve,” she says. “From navigating ethics approval to coordinating with hospital staff and managing sample logistics, MODRA gave me the leadership and project management skills I needed.”
Her study is based at Siddhi Memorial Women and Children Hospital in Bhaktapur, Nepal, a site selected for its maternity services and positive research culture. “Collaborating with a hospital that values research made all the difference. They saw how the findings could inform their own clinical guidelines.”
Alongside her local research, Dr Manandhar also built new international collaborations. With support from her MODRA mentor, Dr Claire Chewapreecha of MORU, she initiated a partnership with the the JUNO Project at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Recognising the scientific value of her study, JUNO provided high-quality reagents essential for isolating GBS and supported whole-genome sequencing of the samples.
These data, not previously available in Nepal, will help researchers understand how local GBS strains relate to those circulating globally, which will inform the development of more effective vaccines.
From Pilot Data to Health System Impact
Dr Manandhar’s study is designed as a proof-of-concept, to generate the first set of local data that could shape maternal-neonatal health policy in Nepal.
“We’ve engaged the hospital leadership from the start,” she explains. “If our findings confirm that GBS is an under-diagnosed risk, it could support the case for routine antenatal screening, something already standard in many high-income countries.”
Looking ahead, she plans to scale the research to multiple hospitals across Nepal, and potentially other countries in the region. “There’s so much more to explore, host factors, pathogen genomic differences, host-pathogen interactions resulting into observed stark regional disparities. MODRA has laid the foundation for all of it.”
Now mentoring junior colleagues at OUCRU Nepal, Dr Manandhar encourages early-career researchers to invest in collaborative networks from the start. “Strong partnerships shape stronger science. They bring in fresh perspectives, sharpen ideas, and offer practical support you simply can’t get alone.”
Her advice to future applicants? “Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ project. Be open to growth and surround yourself with people who push your thinking. MODRA helped me shift from working in isolation to leading with clarity and purpose.”
About MODRA
The MORU–OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA) is a fully funded 18-month programme designed to empower early-career postdocs scientists in Asia with the skills, mentorship, and funding needed to become independent researchers.
Participants receive:
‣ Hands-on workshops on grant writing, budgeting, research design and project management.
‣ Ongoing mentorship from regional and global research leaders.
‣ Seed funding of up to $30,000 to launch preliminary research.
This programme is a joint initiative by the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) and the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), both leading centres in global health research. MODRA is funded by Wellcome Trust and affiliated with the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health at the University of Oxford, ensuring world-class standards in training and mentorship.
If you’re ready to step into leadership and drive meaningful impact in global health, apply today.
