Tandukar received the 2025 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award in inclusive health. Her research integrates environmental microbiology and public health to strengthen infectious disease preparedness. Focusing on wastewater surveillance and pathogen detection, she tracks microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance using genomic tools. Her interdisciplinary work provides early warning of disease threats, informs policy and supports evidence-based strategies to improve water safety, public health infrastructure and global health security.

(Photo: OWSD)