Anisha Sapkota is earning her master’s degree in Biology at Eastern New Mexico University. Anisha is from Nepal and is studying to become a lepidopterist, a scientist who studies butterflies. "I absolutely love the floral diversity in Nepal… which inspired me to pursue a career in biology in the first place." Anisha is passionate about educating people about how important insects are for the environment. When Anisha graduates this fall, she plans on returning to Nepal to study and learn about insect diversity.

During her time at Eastern, Anisha has been awarded the ENMU graduate student award for $400 and the Entomological Society Award (ESA). She was also given a grant of $1,500. "I am going to look at the butterfly diversity of Eastern New Mexico… many areas remain highly unexplored for its butterfly diversity," she said. Anisha loves that she is able to pursue her interest in butterflies as a career. "Being a Greyhound has given me an opportunity to convert my passion into professionalism," she said. Anisha also enjoys studying biology because she is never bored, there is always something to learn. Dr. Cradock and Dr. Pollock have been a huge source of inspiration for Anisha. "They have both helped me a lot, intellectually and financially, with the research I am doing," she said.

Anisha aims to educate people about how important insects are to an ecosystem. Along with researching and studying butterflies, she also enjoys painting butterflies and writing. Anisha and her husband Sajan bonded over their shared love of butterflies while they were both attending Eastern. After graduation, Anisha plans on returning to Nepal to continue her research on butterfly diversity and help educate people about the importance of caring for insects.