Doctoral Student Parikrama Sapkota Earns Prestigious Ecology Award

Posted by on May 12, 2026

by the University of Texas at El Paso
May 6, 2026

UTEP doctoral student Parikrama Sapkota is the 2026 recipient of the E. Lucy Braun Award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of ecology.

Sapkota is a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology at UTEP who studies the complex relationship between native Chihuahuan Desert plants and soil microbial communities.

“I feel honored to receive this nationally prestigious award, which reflects years of dedicated research,” Sapkota said. “The Ecological Society of America has been an invaluable scientific community for me, offering a space to share ideas, learn from leading ecologists, and grow as a researcher. I also want to thank my advisor, Dr. Kelly S. Ramirez, for her mentorship and guidance throughout this journey.”

Keep reading: https://www.utep.edu/newsfeed/2026/may/doctoral-student-parikrama-sapkota-earns-prestigious-ecology-award.html

Read the ESA announcement: https://vzbmt5sl65q.c.updraftclone.com/blog/2026/05/06/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2026-award-recipients/

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