Toledo, Ohio
Ishan Manandhar has been honored with the inaugural Tower of Excellence Award 2025 by the University of Toledo. It is one of the university's most prestigious honors bestowed upon graduating students and Ishan was the solo recipient from the College of Medicine. The prestigious award recognizes students who exemplify the University of Toledo's core values through exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service to the community.
When Ishan first arrived in the United States from Nepal in 2015, he was just 22, carrying a backpack and a head full of dreams. He didn't have a clear plan, just a desire to learn, grow, and see what was possible. A decade later, that journey led to one of the proudest moments of his life.
Today, he is a fourth-year PhD researcher in Biomedical Sciences, working under the guidance of internationally renowned hypertension scientist Dr. Bina Joe. "It is a privilege to work with Dr. Joe," said Ishan. "She is an exceptional scientist and a global leader in high blood pressure research."
Ishan's research focuses on hypertension, the leading risk factor for heart disease, which remain the number one cause of death worldwide. His work looks at how gut microbiota, the tiny organisms that live in our intestines can influence our blood pressure.
His groundbreaking research earned him a predoctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association, which supported two years of his doctoral studies. He has published 13 peer-reviewed scientific articles in respected international journals and has received multiple travel and abstract-based awards from major scientific conferences, including those hosted by the American Physiological Society and the American Heart Association Council on Hypertension.
Ishan was also named Outstanding Graduate Student by the University of Toledo's Graduate Council.
Dr. Bina Joe, his mentor and Chair of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, said, "I rank Ishan among the top 1% of all graduate students I've worked with in more than two decades of my tenure at the University of Toledo."
In 2024, Ishan was invited to attend the Toledo Heart Ball, one of the city's major philanthropic events organized by the American Heart Association. There, in the presence of the University President, health professionals, donors, and community leaders, Ishan was recognized as the "Discovery Arm" of research, highlighting his contribution to cardiovascular science.
Beyond his work in the lab, Ishan is a passionate science communicator. He has written two public articles in Toledo's local newspaper, The Blade, to help non-scientists understand the impact of biomedical research. "Science is best when shared with the public," he says.
He is also a strong advocate for funding science. Recently, Ishan traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the American Physiological Society's Advocacy Day, where he met with U.S. congressional offices, including those of Congressman Joe Wilson, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and Senators Tim Scott and Bernie Moreno, to speak about the importance of biomedical research. This is a treasured memory of Ishan experiencing advocacy and interacting in person with the nation's leaders.
Looking back, Ishan says his journey began without a clear plan. "I came to the United States clueless, uncertain, but full of dreams," he says. "What kept me going was the courage to keep dreaming, no matter how distant or impossible they seemed. And I still dream every single day."
He adds, "You don't have to come from a big city, have a perfect plan, or be born into opportunity. What you need is discipline, courage, and supportive mentors."
Ishan is expected to graduate in Summer 2025 with a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, specializing in Molecular Medicine. His long-term goal is to become a leader in biomedical research and to contribute to scientific discoveries that improve human health.
For young Nepalis dreaming big, Ishan's story shows what's possible when ambition meets hard work and a heart that never stops hoping. Beyond his academic and research achievements, his journey teaches us something very simple but powerful: we don't have to have everything figured out to succeed. What really matters is having the courage to keep going, even when things feel uncertain or overwhelming. His story reminds us that hard work, patience, and leaning on people who believe in us can make all the difference. For anyone chasing a dream, whether it's science or something else, Ishan shows that it's okay to start small and learn as we go. By sharing what he's learned and speaking up for others, he reminds us that success feels even better when it helps lift those around us.
