Lok Pokhrel, PhD

Associate Professor of Toxicology
Program Director: Public Health Foundations and Practice Certificate
Laboratory Director: Nanotechnology and Health Lab (NHL)

Office: Brody 7W-37
Phone: 252-744-3775
Email: pokhrell18@ecu.edu

Dr. Lok Pokhrel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health at Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University (ECU). Prior to joining ECU, Dr. Pokhrel served as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Environmental Health at Temple University, Philadelphia. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Zoology from Tribhuvan University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Biological Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health (2013), with a concentration in nanotoxicology and risk assessment, from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Pokhrel completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), in Corvallis, Oregon.

Dr. Pokhrel is an internationally recognized expert in nanotoxicology, chemical risk assessment, and environmental health and safety (EHS). His professional experience spans over 30 years of teaching (kindergarten through graduate levels), and 22 years of research and service. He has received several awards, has served as judge in local and national conferences, and serves as expert reviewer and academic editor for several international journals in the field.

Leveraging his broad skill set, Dr. Pokhrel conducts basic and translational research at the interface of environmental and occupational health, human toxicology and chemical risk assessment, sustainable agrifood production and pollinator health, antimicrobial resistance (AR/MDR), analytical and environmental chemistry, sustainable nano-based product development, water quality, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), and environmental law and policy.

Dr. Pokhrel directs Nano-Technology and Health Lab (NHL). At NHL, current research focuses on developing patentable novel technologies for: (1) Varroa mite and pathogen control in honeybee colonies; (2) mosquito vector control; (3) treatment against recurrent/chronic bacterial infection in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD); and (4) agrifood production and food safety. His research has led into multiple patent applications. He routinely mentors doctoral, master’s and undergraduate/honors students in lab and field work.

Education

  • PhD (2013), Environmental Health, East Tennessee State University
  • MS (2009), Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University
  • MSc (2001), Zoology, Postgraduate Campus, Tribhuvan University
  • BSc (1999), Zoology, Mechi Multiple College, Tribhuvan University

Areas of Interest

  • Nanotoxicology (Human Toxicology and Ecotoxicology)
  • Sustainable Nano-Technology Development
  • Pollinators Health and Pest-Pathogen Control
  • Nano-Bio Interactions and Surface Chemistry
  • Antibiotic Resistance (AR)/ Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR)
  • Sustainable AgriFood Production and Food Security
  • Risk Assessment of Legacy and Emerging Contaminants
  • Water Quality Assessment
  • Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (EOHS)

Representative Publications (of 56 total)

  1. Bista S, Syangtan G, Darlami K, Chand AK, Bista S, Siddiqui MA, Pokhrel LR, Dawadi P, Joshi DR. Robotic versus manual disinfection of global priority pathogens at the COVID-19 dedicated hospitals. American Journal of Infection Control 2025, 55(5), 588-595. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2025.01.013
  2. Pokhrel LR, Knowles CA, Alula PT. Food safety promotion via nanotechnology: An argumentative review on nano-sanitizers. Applied Nano 2025, 6(4), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6040021
  3. Warner S, Pokhrel LR, Akula SM, Ubah CS, Richards SL, Jensen H, Kearney GD. A scoping review on the effects of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) on global honey bee decline. Science of the Total Environment 2024, 906:167492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167492
  4. Bauer AN, Williams F, Pokhrel LR, Garcia S, Eells J, Cook PP, Akula SM. Evaluating molecular mechanism of viral inhibition of aerosolized Smart Nano-enabled Antiviral Therapeutic (SNAT) on SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters. Toxics 2024, 12(7), 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12070495
  5. Ubah CS, Pokhrel LR, Williams JE*, Akula SM, Richards SL, Kearney GD, Williams A. Antibacterial efficacy, mode of action, and safety of a novel nano-antibiotic against antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli strains. Science of the Total Environment 2024, 925, 171675. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171675
  6. Shirvani-Naghani S, Fallah S, Pokhrel LR, Rostamnejadi A. Drought stress mitigation and improved yield in Glycine max through foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Scientific Reports 2024, 14, 27898. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78504-1
  7. Pokhrel LR, Williams F, Cook PP, O’Rourke D, Murray G, Akula SM. Preclinical safety and efficacy of novel SNAT against SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model. Drug Delivery and Translational Research December 12:3007-3016, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-022-01166-x. (Best Paper, 2022)
  8. Pokhrel LR, Jacobs Z, Dikin D, Akula SM. Five nanometer size highly positive silver nanoparticles are bactericidal targeting cell wall and adherent fimbriae expression. Scientific Reports 12, 6729, 2022 (Nature). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10778-9
  9. White AV, Wambui DW, Pokhrel LR. Risk assessment of inhaled diacetyl from electronic cigarette use among teens and adults. Science of the Total Environment, 2021, 772:145486. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145486
Full list of publications available at ResearchGate

Patents Filed

  1. Pokhrel LR, Jacobs KM (ECU). “Touch-Responsive Targeted Miticides Delivery System, Methods and Composition for Treating Varroa Mites, Other Pests and Pathogenic Microbes in Honeybee Hives.” International Patent Application No.: PCT/US25/41305 (ECU Ref: TT2501; SL Ref: 190412-00036WO); Filed August 8, 2025. [Claiming Priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/682,443 (ECU Ref: TT2501; SL Ref: 190412-00036PR); Filed August 13, 2024].
  2. Pokhrel LR (ECU). “Nanotechnology-based Pesticides and Intermediates, Compositions and Treatments Using the Same.” US Patent Application No. 17/759,260; Filed July 21, 2022 [Claiming Priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/964,368; Filed January 22, 2020].
Dr. Lok Pokhrel Curriculum Vitae (PDF)