GHI’s  staff is comprised of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds, including earthquake science, engineering, medicine, law, communications, finance and international development. 

Dr. Sweata Sijapati is an Environmental Engineer with a focus on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, addressing multiple hazards and the impacts of climate change. She coordinates our Nepal programs on multi-hazard risk reduction from hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and extreme weather events. These programs build capabilities in risk-sensitive development, risk mitigation, earthquake-resistant construction, school seismic safety, and disaster readiness of health facilities. Dr. Sijapati holds a Ph.D. degree in Disaster Mitigation and Management studies specializing in environment and climate change adaptation, as well as a Master of Engineering degree, from Ehime University, Japan. She holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Environmental Engineering from Kathmandu University, Nepal. She is a registered member of the Nepal Engineering Council.

A native of Nepal, she has deep knowledge of its social and environmental context. In the aftermath of the M7.8 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Dr. Sijapati contributed to post-earthquake reconstruction and recovery strategies that identified needs, gaps, vulnerabilities, and resources as well as an approach that incorporated technical advice and mitigation. She has also worked closely with government authorities, UN Humanitarian clusters, development partners, and actors in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery. Before joining GHI, she was associated with the Sajag-Nepal Project, an initiative of academics, government entities, and NGOs that aimed to advance ways to manage multi-hazards and systemic risks in Nepal at the National Society for Earthquake Technology- Nepal (NSET). Her other research and academic projects included meteorological models and atmospheric and urban climate studies.