Dr. Ram Hari Dahal joined the Microbiota Therapeutics Program in May 2025, bringing
a strong background in microbiology and gut microbiome research. He earned his PhD
in Microbiology from Kyonggi University, South Korea, where he specialized in
bacterial isolation, identification, and the functional characterization of environmental
and gut-associated microbes.
Following his PhD, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Kyungpook National
University, South Korea, where he investigated gut microbial dysbiosis and its role
in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His postdoctoral research deepened his
understanding of host–microbiome interactions and the microbial mechanisms
underlying intestinal inflammation.
Before joining the program, he worked as a Research Microbiologist at the USDA
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Ames, Iowa, where he focused on the
development of microbial consortia for antimicrobial intervention in poultry.
At the Microbiota Therapeutics Program, he contributes to IND-enabling studies and
R&D initiatives focused on developing microbiota-based therapeutics, particularly
through intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT). In addition, he mentors graduate
students in the laboratory.
Outside of the laboratory, Ram enjoys spending time with his children, playing outdoors,
and going hiking.
Publications
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_7XdQf4AAAAJ&hl=en