A Love of Beauty Inspires Sajan K C’s Study

By Todd Fuqua

Sajan K C (attending) finds great beauty in insects.

He is often seen with a camera, taking detailed photos of his subjects. Whether it’s in his native Nepal; Portales, New Mexico; or the Panamanian jungle, he is never short of subjects to study.

“I began my entomology career during my undergraduate program in Nepal,” the master’s student said. “I studied the diversity of insects around my college there and did an undergraduate thesis on it. I was more inclined toward butterflies due to their diversity and beauty.”

“There are millions of species of insects, so I knew I had to choose a certain group and become an expert on it. I raised caterpillars and released them as adults in Nepal while studying their life cycles,” he said. “The vast diversity of butterflies attracted me. Since their population is declining worldwide, I am dedicated to their preservation.”

Butterflies were not his first interest when he came to Eastern.

“I was perhaps more interested in beetles – I still am,” Sajan said. “So, currently, I am working on an obscure group of beetles called Hemipeplinae as my thesis.”

But make no mistake; butterflies are still his passion.

“I plan to join a Ph.D. program after graduation to do my dissertation on butterflies of tropical regions,” Sajan said. “I want to become a Lepidopterist.”