Dr. Shrestha’s research centers on microbial electrochemistry, CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) modeling, and stormwater management, through which she develops sustainable data-driven strategies to enhance urban water infrastructure and improve water quality. She is also deeply committed to teaching and is enthusiastic about integrating innovative pedagogical practices such as active learning, collaborative problem-solving, and real-world application activities into her courses. Dr. Shrestha is a registered professional engineer.
Academic Degrees
- PhD, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Environmental Engineering, 2018
- MS, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Environmental Engineering, 2017
- MSc, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering Pulchowk Campus, Nepal, Sustainable water sanitation health and development, 2012
- BS, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Nepal, Civil Engineering, 2010
Teaching Interests
- Environmental Engineering
- Groundwater
- Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Geographic Information System
Research Interests
- Combined sewer overflow modelling
- Stormwater quality monitoring and management
Publications & Presentations
- Shrestha, N., Payne, M. M, Chow, T., Daniel, M., (2025, June). Active learning in introductory environmental engineering course. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Mueller, J., Payne, M. M, Payne, Shrestha, N. (2025, June). Re-envisioning the Curricular Pathway in Environmental Engineering. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Mueller, J., Payne, M. M, Shrestha, N. (2025, June). Incorporating the Envision Rating System as a Teaching Tool for Sustainability in Civil Engineering Infrastructure. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Hanson, H.J., Sutterer, G. K., Aidoo, J., Collins, R. K., Kershaw, K., Lovell, D. M., Mueller, J., Payne, M. M, Payne, M. M, Shrestha, N. (2025, June). Lessons Learned: Adoption of ASCE BOK3 Student Outcomes Consistent with ABET 1-7. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.
- Shrestha, N., Payne, M. M, Chow, T., Daniel, M., (2025, April). Work in Progress: International Capstone Design: Insights from Students, Faculty, and Clients. 2025 IL-IN Section Conference.
- Mueller, J., Payne, M. M, Shrestha, N., Hanson, H.J., Aidoo, J., (2025, April). Teaching Effective Teaming in Senior Capstone Design. 2025 IL-IN Section Conference.
- Shrestha, N., & Chow, T., & (2024). A Flipped Classroom Setting Trial in GIS Course. In 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://peer.asee.org/46440
- Sapkota, S., Hummel, M., Zahan, M., Karanam, S.P., Bathi, J., Shrestha, N., Gu, Z. and Gadhamshetty, V., (2024). Graphene-Infused Hybrid Biobattery–Supercapacitor Powered by Wastewater for Sustainable Energy Innovation. Inorganics, 12(3), p.84. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12030084
- Payne, M. M., & Shrestha, N. (2022). Training for Life: Reimagining a Codes and Regulations Course. In 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. https://strategy.asee.org/41862
- Thompson, A., Miller, K., Robinson, M., Biske, M., Brady, P., Aidoo, J., Ohene Annor, F., Sipes, S., Boampong, K., and Shrestha, N., (2022), Our First Collaboration with an International Consulting Firm on Capstone Design Project. Capstone Design Conference 2022.
- Dhungana, P., Varapragasam, S.J., Vemuri, B., Baride, A., Shrestha, N., Balasingam, M., Gadhamshetty, V., Koppang, M.D. and Hoefelmeyer, J.D. (2021). A pH‐Universal Hollow‐Mn3O4/MWCNT/Nafion™ Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction. ChemElectroChem, 8(10), pp.1775-1783. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202100168
- Islam, J., Shrestha, N., Bathi, JR., & Gadhamshetty, V. (2020). Surface Modification Approaches for Methane Oxidation in Bioelectrochemical Systems. Vol. 2 Current and Emerging Applications 2 (2020): 343. (bookchapter) doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6868-8_16
- Chilkoor, G., Shrestha, N., Kutana, A., Tripathi, M., Robles Hernández, F.C., Yakobson, B.I., Meyyappan, M., Dalton, A.B., Ajayan, P.M., Rahman, M.M. and Gadhamshetty, V. (2020). Atomic Layers of Graphene for Microbial Corrosion Prevention. ACS nano, 15(1), pp.447-454. doi: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c03987
- Jawaharraj, K., Shrestha, N., Chilkoor, G., Dhiman, S.S., Islam, J. and Gadhamshetty, V. (2020). Valorization of methane from environmental engineering applications: A critical review. Water Research, p.116400. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116400
- Shrestha, N., Tripathi, A.K., Govil, T., Sani, R.K., Urgun-Demirtas, M., Kasthuri, V. and Gadhamshetty, V. (2020). Electricity from lignocellulosic substrates by thermophilic
Geobacillus species. Scientific reports, 10(1), pp.1-9. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72866-y - Jawaharraj, K., Shrestha, N., Chilkoor, G., Vemuri, B., & Gadhamshetty, V. (2020). Electricity from methanol using indigenous microorganisms from hydraulic fracturing flowback water. Bioelectrochemistry, 107549.doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107549
Awards & Honors
- Outstanding Academic Advisor for First Year Students, 2025
- ASEE CE Division Emerging Leader Fellow, 2025
- Engineering Unleashed Fellow for 2022
- Indiana Academy of Science – Senior research grant 2021
- 3rd Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) Women in Science Award 2019 (WiSA2019) professional category, August 2019, Nepal.
- ASCE ExCEEd Teaching workshop Fellowship, 2019