HKH WOMEN ON ICE

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Aishwarya Sanas

I am a PhD candidate in the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies at Shiv Nadar University, in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. My research on the international politics of the cryosphere drives my desire for a firsthand experience in glacial environments and to engage in sharing knowledge with experts in glaciology. ​

I am committed to advancing the wellbeing of mountain ecosystems and their communities, contributing to knowledge that benefits the South Asian region.​

This expedition will connect me with a network of inspiring women from the region. I am thrilled to be a part of the inaugural cohort of HKH Women on Ice.

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Silian Pan

I am a PhD candidate in Geoscience at Leibniz Universität, Hannover, Germany, specialising in permafrost microbiology in the Arctic region. I’m absolutely thrilled to participate in the HKH Women on Ice expedition. It will be my first experience of seeing the glaciers and permafrost of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region up close. Additionally, I’m passionate about encouraging more women to enter cryosphere science, a field where there is limited female representation.​

Together we can break this glass (or ice) ceiling! I’m excited to gain hands-on experience, meet an amazing group of women scientists, and share this journey.

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Mamata Aryal

I am an environmental scientist in water-related research, including freshwater ecosystems, water quality, biomonitoring, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene). Currently, I work as a full-time consultant at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Nepal, contributing to research on irrigation systems and WASH vulnerabilities, while also supporting programme management. Additionally, I teach undergraduates of Environmental Science as a part-time lecturer at Amrit Science Campus affiliated to Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.​

I am thrilled to be a part of the HKH Women on Ice expedition and look forward to collaborating with women from diverse countries and disciplines.

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Pema Eden

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Climate Science at the College of Natural Resources (CNR), through the Cryo-SPIRIT project, a collaboration with the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL. I am currently mapping the mountain permafrost in Bhutan. Through this work, I hope to contribute valuable insights that support the protection of vulnerable mountain ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. I am excited to join the HKH Women on Ice expedition and to get to know my fellow participants.​

I am looking forward to learning from and collaborating with experts in this field.

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Farhana Altaf

I recently completed my MPhil degree in Geography, specialising in Glaciology, from the Department of Geography, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. My research focuses on the intricate interplay between climate change and the cryosphere, with particular emphasis on the dynamic behaviour of glaciers in the Hindu Kush Mountain region of Pakistan. Mountains have always been a profound source of inspiration for me.​

I am thrilled to participate in the HKH Women on Ice expedition, as it provides a unique opportunity for hands-on experience in glaciology and learning from field experts. This experience excites me not only for the practical knowledge it offers but also for the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and young scientists who share a common passion for mountain environments and cryosphere science.

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Yinglan Jia

I’m a PhD student at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, in Gansu, north-central China. I am thrilled to be a part of the Women on Ice expedition, which I believe will inspire greater courage and confidence as I pursue my passion for scientific research.​

Additionally, this experience offers a valuable platform to connect and learn from other accomplished women in the field.

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Tuba Farooq

I’ve recently completed my MPhil degree in Environmental Science from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, north-eastern Pakistan, where I focused on hazard assessment of glacial lakes and the role of climate change in it. Through my studies, I’ve come to appreciate how nature works to protect our planet and how the human actions are threatening the balance. This has driven my passion for finding solutions to help safeguard both the environment and humanity. The HKH Women on Ice expedition is an exciting opportunity for me to expand both theoretical and practical knowledge in cryosphere science.​

I’m honoured that I’ll have the opportunity to work with passionate women from different cultural backgrounds across the region while also learning from field experts.

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Jeena Rai

I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Climate Studies at the College of Natural Resources in Punakha, western Bhutan. I am passionate about hiking, and I enjoy painting natural landscapes, which allows me to express my deep appreciation for the beauty of the environment.​

I strive to contribute to environmental protection by combining my academic pursuits with my personal interests.

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Deepti Sonawane

I have completed my master’s degree in Environmental Science with a specialisation in Natural Resource Management from Doon University in Dehradun, northern India. I am keen to participate in the HKH Women on Ice expedition. This opportunity excites me as it offers hands-on experience in glaciology and the chance to learn from field experts.​

I look forward to connecting and collaborating with a diverse group of researchers, which I believe will enrich my understanding and passion for mountain environments and glaciology.

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Yurika Sherpa

I work as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) and am now a proud team member of the HKH Women on Ice expedition. I hold an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from NAMI College, affiliated with the University of Northampton. I am passionate about bridging scientific research with real-world action, particularly in the field of climate resilience. ​

The HKH Women on Ice expedition to me is an opportunity to engage directly with the stunning yet fragile landscapes of the Himalayas, which form the focus of my daily studies. This journey is a unique chance to amplify women’s voices in climate action, and I am honoured to be part of this mission alongside a group of inspiring women from the region. Together, we are driving change and paving the way towards a sustainable future in the face of our region’s pressing environmental challenges.

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Miriam Jackson

I am pleased to support the first batch of HKH Women on Ice to Pongkar Glacier. I am a glaciologist and climate scientist with wide experience from HighMountain Asia, the Arctic and the Antarctic. I have recently moved back to Europe and hold two portfolios, as Eurasia and Nordic Director at the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) and as research scientist at Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), a Norwegian government agency. Before this, I was with ICIMOD, where I was leading the cryosphere initiative, and worked closely with partners in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan.

I will be joining the expedition to Pongkar Glacier, and I am excited to learn and share knowledge and skills, and emphasise why it is important that more girls take up career in cryosphere research and fieldwork.

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Iram Bano

I am delighted that HKH Women on Ice has become a reality, and I recollect with fond memory the conversation we have had around starting this in the HKH region.

As a lone female glaciologist from my region, Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, I understand how important it is to have more women in this field. I hope that more girls will hear about this opportunity and that it will inspire them to seek careers in glaciology and other natural sciences.

As an external expert supporting the HKH Women on Ice, I am excited and eager to assist participants whenever needed.

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Dorothea Stumm

I am excited that the HKH started its own Women on Ice programme and I am happy to contribute to it as an external expert.

Currently, I work as a geothermal specialist in the Department for Environment of the Canton Thurgau, eastern Switzerland, in the water quality and usage section. I lived in Kathmandu, Nepal from 2011 to 2019, where I worked for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) as a glaciologist on the Cryosphere Monitoring Project, and the Permafrost Project. In 2019, I was involved as an instructor in the pilot project ‘Woman on Ice’ of the Swiss branch of Inspiring Girls Expeditions. Previously, I worked as a glaciologist and in jobs related to Geographic Information System (GIS) in research institutes, for the government and in the private sector.

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Sonam Lhamo

I work as a Principal Hydro/met Officer for the Cryosphere Services Division at the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan.

My responsibilities focus on cryosphere studies, including glacier monitoring and climate data analysis, to support sustainable water resource management and enhance Bhutan’s climate resilience strategies.

I am thrilled to be supporting the HKH Women on Ice programme as an external expert and wish all the participants a fruitful and memorable learning expedition.

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Luckme Tamang

I am a passionate mountaineer and trekking guide with years of experience, climbing some of the world’s most challenging peaks. One of my proudest achievements is successfully summiting the Mount Everest on May 19, 2018. I’ve also climbed other iconic peaks in Nepal, including Ama Dablam, Island Peak, Lobuche Peak, Cholatse, and Mera Peak.

As a certified Aspirant Guide (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA/UIAGM), 2023/24), I have completed extensive training in mountaineering, rescue, and wilderness medicine. Since 2019, I’ve been working as a trekking and climbing guide at Elite Exped, an organisation that delivers guiding experiences on the world’s highest mountains.

I am excited to join the HKH Women on Ice expedition to Pongkar Glacier as one of the trekking guides. This will be the first time where I am travelling with a group of researchers, and I hope to learn more about climate change from the science perspective.

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Soni Gurung

I graduated from TMSS Medical College and Rafatullah Community Hospital, Bangladesh, in 2019, and completed my internship there in 2021. I worked in Grande International Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal for two years. Currently, I am working in Karuna Hospital, Kathmandu. . I am a registered doctor in the General Medical Council, UK.

I am joining the HKH Women on Ice expedition as a medical expert, and I look forward to learning about the field that is completely different from my profession.

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Purnima Shrestha

I was born and raised in Gorkha, central Nepal, home to Mount Manaslu, and I am proud to be one of Nepal’s leading female climbers. My mountaineering journey began with Mount Manaslu – the eighth-highest mountain in the world. I am honoured to be the first and only woman in history to have climbed Mount Everest three times in a single climbing season. Additionally, I am one of the first Nepali women to have scaled Annapurna I (8,091 m) and Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m).
Beyond mountaineering, I work as a photojournalist, with my photographs published in The New York Times and various national media outlets in Nepal.

My journey to the ice will be different this time; I am joining the HKH Women on Ice expedition as the official photographer. This is exciting and I am looking forward to documenting this all-women science expedition.