Deepak Khatri

Research Associate (Agronomy)

Deepak currently serves as a Research Associate in the Agronomy Lab at Kentucky State University. He began his journey with the lab in Fall 2023 as a graduate student in the Master of Science in Environmental Studies program, from which he graduated with the Class of 2025. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Nepal. Before pursuing a master's program, he gained practical experience as an Agriculture Officer and completed an internship at an agricultural organization in Nepal. These experiences laid a strong foundation for his continued academic and research pursuits in agriculture. 

Research Interests: His research focuses primarily on agronomic management practices in field crops—specifically nutrient application, water use efficiency, plant spacing, and weed management. He is particularly passionate about identifying the optimum levels and timing of various agronomic treatments under different environmental conditions to maximize crop yields sustainably. In addition to field-based agronomy, he is also actively engaged in using drone-based aerial imagery to study the growth and developmental dynamics of crops, aiming to optimize treatment strategies through remote sensing technology. 

Inspiration: His inspiration to pursue agronomy stems from his deep-rooted family tradition of cereal crop farming in the Terai region of Nepal. Growing up, he observed his parents cultivating rice, wheat, and corn throughout the year. Witnessing their dedication and working alongside them ignited his lifelong passion for agriculture and his commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices.