RAJESH JHA

Education and Training

LEAD21- Leadership for the 21st century (Class 22)
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Animal Nutrition), University of Alberta, Canada (2009-2012)
PhD (Animal Science, Nutrition), University of Saskatchewan, Canada (2010)
MSc (Animal Science & Aquaculture), Wageningen University, the Netherlands (2006)
Diploma (Food and Nutrition Program Planning and Management), University of the Philippines, Los Baños (2003)
BVSc & AH (Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry), Tribhuvan University, Nepal (1996)

Professional Position

Department Chair (2025 to date): Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Hawaii State 4-H Program Coordinator (interim) (2026 to date): CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Fulbright U.S. Scholar (2022-2023): Served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Applied Sciences, Bingen, Germany
Graduate Chair of Animal Sciences (2016 to 2025): HNFAS, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Professor of Animal Nutrition (2021 to date): Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS), CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition (2017 to 2021): HNFAS, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Assistant Professor of Animal Nutrition (2012 to 2017): HNFAS, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Visiting Professor (January 2026 to date): North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
Visiting Professor (June to December 2022): University of Applied Sciences, Bingen, Germany
Visiting Professor (May to August 2019): Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Visiting Professor (2016 to 2019): Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
Visiting Professor (2014 to date): Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
Graduate Faculty (Concurrent Position, 2013 to date): Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering Program, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Graduate Faculty (Concurrent Position, 2012 to date): Nutritional Sciences Program, HNFAS, CTAHR, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA
Research Associate (2009 to 2012): Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Canada
Graduate Teaching Assistant (2007 to 2009): Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Graduate Research Assistant (2006 to 2009): Prairie Swine Centre, Canada
Visiting Graduate Student Researcher (2006 to 2006): Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand
Graduate Student Researcher (2004 to 2006): Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Livestock Expert (Concurrent position, 2001 to 2003): WIN project / Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nepal
Livestock Development Officer (1997 to 2004): Department of Livestock Services, Government of Nepal
Technical Officer (1997 to 1997): Pakhribas Agriculture Centre, Nepal
Assistant Researcher (1992 to 1993): Directorate of Research, IAAS Rampur, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Fellowships, Awards, and Honors

2025 Excellent Paper Award of the Journal Animal Science and Biotechnology [JASB, 2024, 15:8]
World's Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher in the cross-field in 2023 (Source: Clarivate/ Web of Science)
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2022-2023): Fellowship to serve as a Visiting Professor in Germany
2022 Best Paper Award of the Journal Animal Science and Biotechnology [JASB, 2021, 12:98]
2022 Best Paper Award of the Journal Animals [Animals, 2020, 10(10):1863]
2019 Best Paper Award and Featured as "Top 10 Papers in 10 Years" of the Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology [JASB, 2019, 10:2]
Visiting Professor Fellowship (May to Aug 2019), Kyoto University, Japan
Dean's Award for Excellence in Research 2019, CTAHR, UH Manoa (nominee)
University of Hawaii Excellence in Teaching Award 2014-2015, 2018-2019 (nominee)
The President's Volunteer Service Award (2016 and 2018). The White House, Washington, D.C., USA
WPSA-USA Research Travel Award to attend the World Poultry Congress (Sept 5-9, 2016), Beijing, China
All-time most downloaded paper of the Journal- Animal Feed Science and Technology (AFST 2016, 212:18-26) for over five years
Research highlighted on the cover page of the "Journal of Animal Science" in March, 2015 (JAS 2015, 93:1039-1051)
Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists Postgraduate Scholarship (2009): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
J M Bell Postgraduate Scholarship (2009): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Parr Postgraduate Scholarship (2007): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Herb R. and Marian H. Clark Scholarship (2007): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
VWR International Scholarship (2007): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
University Graduate Scholarship (2007 to 2009): University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Graduate Research Assistantship (2006 to 2009): Prairie Swine Centre, Canada, for PhD study
Research and Travel Fellowship (2006): Riddet Institute, Massey University, New Zealand
DAAD Fellowship (2004 to 2006): Government of Germany for MSc study (Declined)
NUFFIC Fellowship (2004 to 2006): The Netherlands Government for MSc study
NUFFIC/FAO Joint Fellowship (2003): for Food and Nutrition Program Planning and Management Training at the University of Philippines, Los Baños
Research Fellowship (1995): The Mountain Institute, USA to conduct an epidemiological study of animal diseases in the Makalu-Barun Conservation Project area, Nepal
Merit Scholarship (1990 to 1996): Tribhuvan University, Nepal, for BVSc & AH study
Recipient of several awards in essay writing and debate competitions during school

Professional Affiliation

Poultry Science Association
World's Poultry Science Association, US Chapter
American Society of Animal Science
Japanese Society of Animal Science
Nepal Veterinary Association (Life member since 1997)
Nepal Veterinary Council (Registered Veterinarian)

Leadership Roles / Professional Services

Section Editor- Poultry Science (2019 to date)
Associate Editor- Animal Nutrition (2022 to date)
Editor- Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2021 to date)
Associate Editor- Poultry Science (2018-2019)
Associate Editor- Animal Science Journal (2018 to date)
Associate Editor- Frontiers in Veterinary Science- Animal Nutrition and Metabolism (2018 to date)
Ad-hoc peer-reviewer of scientific journals- Poultry Science, Journal of Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, Animal Feed Science and Technology, Canadian Journal of Animal Science, British Journal of Nutrition
Reviewer of grant proposals for several national and international organizations
External Evaluator of Faculty Tenure and Promotion applications from several universities
External Examiner of PhD Dissertations and MS Theses of students from several universities
Symposium Chair- Comparative Gut Physiology Symposium on "Parent-offspring integration: focus on gut health." ASAS-CSAS-SSASAS Annual Meeting & Trade Show (July 14-18, 2021), Louisville, KY
Chair- Comparative Gut Physiology Program Committee, ASAS 2021
Member- Comparative Gut Physiology Program Committee, ASAS 2020-2024
Session Chair of several national and international conferences
Expert Volunteer- Served as an Expert Volunteer in Myanmar (June 1-19, 2016) and Nepal (Dec 9-31, 2016 and Mar 15 - Apr 1, 2018) for the USAID / Farmers to Farmers program through Winrock International
Member- NE1442 / NE1942 / 2442- Poultry Production Systems and Well-being: Sustainability for Tomorrow (since 2017 to date)
Chair- NCC042- Committee on Swine Nutrition, USDA (2017)
Vice-Chair- NCC042- Committee on Swine Nutrition, USDA (2016)
Secretary- NCC042- Committee on Swine Nutrition, USDA (2015)
Member- NCC042- Committee on Swine Nutrition, USDA (2013-2014)
Member- Planning Committee, Annual NACTA (North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture) Conference (June 14-17, 2011), University of Alberta, Canada
Member (2007-2008): University Council, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Councillor (2007-2008): Graduate Students Association, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Chairman (2004-2005): International Student Panel, Wageningen University, the Netherlands
Coordinator (1995-1996): Forum for Technical Students, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Acting President (1994-1996): Free Students Union, IAAS Rampur, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Vice President (1992-1994): Free Students Union, IAAS Rampur, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Leadership Roles / Institutional Services

University level (UH Manoa)

Member (2023-2024, 2025-2026): Tenure and Promotion Committee, UH Manoa
Senator (2017-2019, 2019-2021): Manoa Faculty Senate, UH Manoa
Member (2017-2019, 2019-2021): Committee on Research, Manoa Faculty Senate, UH Manoa
Member (2017-2021): Manoa Graduate Council, UH Manoa
Member (2017-2019): Research Advisory Committee of Vice Chancellor for Research, UH Manoa

College level (CTAHR)

Hawaii State 4-H Program Coordinator (interim) (2026 to date): CTAHR
Chair (2015-2016): CTAHR Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Vice-Chair (2014-2015): CTAHR Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Member (2016): Search Committee for Interim Dean and Director of Research of CTAHR (Hire was made)
Member (2013-2014): Search Committee for Associate Dean and Associate Director of Research of CTAHR (Hire was made)
Member (2013-2014): CTAHR Faculty Senate Research Committee
Member (2013-2016): CTAHR Faculty Senate

Department level (HNFAS and FCS)

Department Chair: (2025 to date): Family and Consumer Sciences
Graduate Chair (2016 to 2025): Animal Sciences Program
Chair (2017-2020): Curriculum and Instruction Committee
Member (2018-2020, 2023-2025): Department Promotion Committee
Member (2024-2025): Search Committee for Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition (Hire was made)
Chair (2019-2020): Search committee for Assistant Aquaculture Specialist (Position frozen with the University administration’s order after the COVID-19 situation)
Member (2019): Search Committee for Assistant Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry (Hire was made)
Member (2016 to date): Curriculum and Instruction Committee
Member (2015-2016): Search Committee for Assistant Professor of Physiology (Hire was made)
Member (2012-2016): Research and Extension Committee
Mentor (2015 to 2025): Graduate Students Organization of HNFAS
Member (2013 to date): PhD Nutritional Sciences Program Committee