Sapana Thapa
CSIRO
South Guildford,WA
5
years of professional experience
Detail-oriented Agricultural Science graduate with a Master's in Agricultural Science and a Bachelor's in Agriculture. Experienced in agricultural extension, farmer training, and project coordination, with a strong background in crop and legume systems research. Co-author of published research in plant breeding and crop genetics. Actively seeking a role in research, agronomy, or agricultural extension.
Skills
Field research support
Agricultural extension training
Crop science expertise
Research data management
Digital tools: R
SPSS
Microsoft Excel/Office
KoboToolbox
Mwater and ArcGIS
Professional communication skills
Professional strengths: clear communication
coordination
attention to detail and working independently or in teams
Work History
Postgraduate Research Intern
2 Months- Supported legume research by weighing samples, measuring root and shoot lengths, processing samples, and managing weeding efforts.
- Conducted field visits to Avondale for data and sample collection; assisted with freeze-drying and sorting of lupin samples for analysis.
- Prepared and ground samples for near-infrared (NIR) analysis, following project procedures and maintaining sample organization.
- Collaborated with research team on practical laboratory and field tasks, contributing to project objectives.
- Explored benefits of multi-purpose legume crops in flexible farming systems.
- (internship completed)
Agriculture Officer / Program Officer
1 Year 6 Months- Facilitated annual work planning and delivered field-related agricultural training for farmers and cooperative members, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
- Synchronized logistics with Giz Nepal to organize climate smart agriculture training sessions for lead farmers.
- Led efforts as the focal person for the CASA project to enhance market access for small-scale producers in Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces (Swisscontact-funded).
- Coordinated agricultural and family-farming activities among project teams, cooperatives, and community stakeholders, fostering collaboration and engagement.
- Contributed to annual work planning and delivery of field-related agricultural training for farmers and cooperative members.
- Coordinated training sessions for cooperative members on best farming practices and resource management.
Family Farming Campaign Officer
2 Years 1 Month- Acted as a campaign focal person and coordinated family- and community-farming activities on behalf of the NACCFL national secretariat.
- Supported initiatives intended to strengthen sustainable family farming and community participation.
- Developed and implemented outreach strategies to enhance family farming initiatives.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align program objectives with local agricultural needs.
- Monitored project progress, ensuring compliance with UN guidelines and reporting requirements.
Roving Instructor – Community Agriculture Assistant
3 Months- Delivered theoretical and practical agriculture training in line with CTEVT training requirements.
- Prepared lesson plans, monitored trainee participation and reported training progress to NACCFL.
- Coordinated with program staff and communicated with trainees to support training delivery.
- (Fixed-term contract)
Education
Master of Agricultural Science - Genetics and Plant Breeding
Completed December 2025
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
- Graduated with Distinction
- Merit-based full scholarship
- GPA: 83.10%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Australian work rights: [insert current status]
- Transport: Own car; currently transitioning from an international driver’s licence to an Australian licence
- Relocation: Open to regional WA and interstate opportunities
- Availability: [insert]
- Referees: Available on request
ADDITIONAL TRAINING & TECHNICAL EXPOSURE
- Training of Trainers: Business Plan Preparation (NACCFL / Agriculture Sector Development Project, 2022).
- Training of Trainers: Integrated Pest Management (NACCFL / IIED, 2019).
- Population Genetics and Data Analysis in R workshop (Oregon State University / Tribhuvan University, 2019).
- GIS course, IAAS (2020); SPSS and Excel training (2019).
- Practical horticultural propagation exposure: grafting, cuttings, inarching and layering (IAAS Work Experience Program, 2016–2018).
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Lamichhane, S., Adhikari, N., K.C., V., & Thapa, S. (2021). Estimating variability, heritability and genetic advance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes in mid-hills of Nepal. Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Science, 22(2), 92–101. doi:10.21082/ijas.v22n2.2021.p92-101
- Lamichhane, S., & Thapa, S. (2022). Advances from conventional to modern plant breeding methodologies. Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, 10(1), 1–14. doi:10.9787/pbb.2022.10.1.1
Personal Information
- Title: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE | CROP RESEARCH | AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
- Driving License: currently transitioning from an international driver’s licence to an Australian licence
- full time working rights
Timeline
Postgraduate Research Intern
CSIRO
07.2025 - 09.2025Read More
Agriculture Officer / Program Officer
Nepal Agriculture Co-operative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL)
07.2022 - 01.2024Read More
Family Farming Campaign Officer
NACCFL - United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) Program
12.2021 - 01.2024Read More
Roving Instructor – Community Agriculture Assistant
NACCFL / Sustainable Rural Employment Project (SREP)
03.2021 - 06.2021Read More
Tribhuvan University – Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)
Bachelor of Science from Agriculture
Read More
The University of Western Australia (UWA)
Master of Agricultural Science from Genetics and Plant Breeding
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