At just 25, multidisciplinary scientist Lakhnarayan ‘Ryan’ Bhagarathi has amassed over 35 publications spanning mangrove ecology, marine science, pollinator interactions, lichenology and microbial studies.
These publications, he says, are designed to protect Guyana’s biodiversity and enhance coastal resilience in the face of climate change.
Multidisciplinary scientist Lakhnarayan ‘Ryan’ Bhagarathi
His growing body of research, anchored in the country’s unique coastal and marine systems, is helping to connect academic discovery with policy, livelihoods, and long-term environmental management.
“I grew up surrounded by rich, understudied ecosystems, from mangroves and marine habitats to insect communities,” Bhagarathi, who is well-known as ‘Ryan’, said.
“That curiosity evolved into a drive to create solutions to ecological and societal challenges, not just to make discoveries.”
CURIOSITY TO IMPACT: A RESEARCH ARC GROUNDED IN GUYANA
Bhagarathi’s earliest interests were shaped by Guyana’s living laboratories, mangrove forests, estuaries, reefs and rainforests, where he saw firsthand how ecological processes underpin daily life.
He frames his career as a deliberate journey from questions to impact.
From an early stage, I wanted to understand how species interact with their environments and how that knowledge could guide conservation and sustainable development.
That vision translates into a portfolio focused on coastal and marine ecology, with attention to species interactions, including insect pollinators in mangrove systems, ecosystem services, and microbial processes that sustain nutrient cycles.
These microbial functions underpin biodiversity and human livelihoods, especially in vulnerable Caribbean and South American regions.
From hating books to a Master, Ryan Bhagarathi rose from adversity to academic excellence
PRODUCTIVITY WITH PURPOSE: HOW OVER 35 PAPERS CAME TOGETHER BY 25
Asked how he reached over 35 publications so early, Bhagarathi credits discipline, structure and collaboration.
Discipline and consistency have been key. I set clear objectives, manage time rigorously, and collaborate locally and internationally to maximise productivity without compromising quality.
Crucially, he views each paper as a stepping stone:
Every publication is part of a larger continuum of knowledge-building […] a foundation for the next.
Lakhnarayan ‘Ryan’ Bhagarathi
His research spans marine sciences, coastal ecology, climate change, mangrove ecology, pollinator interactions and lichen diversity, adding practical value for fisheries, shoreline protection and natural resource management.
The through-line is clear: build evidence that helps Guyana strike a balance between growth and ecological sustainability.
WHY MANGROVES AND MICROBES ARE STRATEGIC FOR RESILIENCE
Much of Bhagarathi’s work highlights mangroves as natural infrastructure that buffers coasts from storm surges, reduces erosion, stores blue carbon, and supports fisheries.
In parallel, his interest in microbial ecology focuses on nutrient transformations and ecosystem stability following disturbances such as salinity spikes, flooding, or warming. Together, these strands support integrated coastal management: a priority for a low-lying nation like Guyana.
By studying the mechanisms, from pollination dynamics to microbial nutrient cycling, we can design evidence-based interventions that protect communities and biodiversity.
A GROWING RESEARCH CULTURE IS STILL IN TRANSITION
Bhagarathi describes Guyana’s research culture as expanding but transitional. He noted that there is an increasing recognition of the role of science in addressing biodiversity, environmental management, agriculture, health, and sustainable development, but limitations remain.
Young researchers face funding constraints, infrastructure gaps and limited access to advanced tools and journals.
Access to global databases, specialised equipment and expansive mentorship can be sporadic, and interdisciplinary collaboration, while improving, still needs scale.
Even so, he sees momentum: the University of Guyana’s collaborations, regional networks, and international partnerships are opening doors.
Collaboration is critical in smaller countries, pooling resources and expertise expands what’s possible and raises global visibility of local science.
MAKING COLLABORATION SYSTEMATIC: A BLUEPRINT
This PhD student advocates for a structured model linking universities, government and the private sector:
- Joint research grants that are aligned with national priorities.
- Innovation hubs to pilot field-ready solutions for fisheries, agriculture and coastal protection.
- Industry–academia advisory boards to keep research demand-driven.
- Clear IP frameworks and transparent funding to attract investment and ensure fairness.
- Capacity-building for students and early-career scientists, including field schools and lab upskilling.
He adds that international partnerships are essential:
“They unlock technology, datasets and best practices that elevate quality and impact,” from improved statistical methods to open-science workflows and ethical research standards.
POLICY RELEVANCE: FROM DATA TO DECISIONS
For policymakers, Bhagarathi’s appeal is direct: sustained investment in labs, fieldwork and training.
Local data must directly inform national development and conservation strategies.
Evidence-driven planning, he argues, can help prioritise restoration sites, optimise coastal defences, guide fisheries management, and monitor climate risks across the coastline, rivers and mangrove belts.
When research feeds into zoning, permitting and infrastructure, the result is resilience and cost-effective adaptation, he noted.
ADVICE FOR EMERGING RESEARCHERS: PUBLISH WITH INTEGRITY
Be optimistic, push ahead, and get your work published in reputable journals. Publishing feeds the scientific world the fuel it needs to grow.
He urges young scientists to master methods, ask locally relevant questions, and collaborate widely.
Be open-minded, embrace critique, and maintain integrity and rigour as credibility is the cornerstone.
Persistence matters, he added, because peer review requires resilience and iterative improvement.
STRATEGIC RESEARCH GAPS: WHAT GUYANA NEEDS NOW
According to Bhagarathi, the most urgent needs are biodiversity policy, conservation science and ecosystem management in marine and forested environments. Key priorities include:
- Baseline biodiversity mapping to track change and guide protection.
- Long-term monitoring of mangroves, coral and seagrass for early warning signals.
- Nature-based solutions (mangrove restoration, living shorelines) for coastal defence.
- Fisheries assessments linking habitat health to yields and livelihoods.
- Microbial indicators of water quality and ecosystem recovery.
- Climate adaptation strategies for coastal communities, integrating traditional knowledge with science.
Such studies, he says, safeguard livelihoods, support food security, and help Guyana meet international biodiversity and climate commitments.
FROM CLASSROOM TO COASTLINE: INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
To shift perceptions that research is “boring” or “too academic,” Bhagarathi champions hands-on science.
Make it tangible and interactive, fieldwork, real-world problem-solving, and projects that show measurable impact.
At 24, Ryan Bhagarathi is a multidisciplinary scientist pursuing a PhD
Mentorship and visible role models matter: celebrating young scientists’ achievements helps students see themselves in research careers.
MILESTONES AHEAD: 100 PAPERS
Bhagarathi’s personal goal is unapologetically ambitious:
I’m pushing to have 100 or more publications by age 30.
He envisions a national research ecosystem with modern laboratories, robust data systems, and policy pipelines that turn findings into action.
Over the next decade, he hopes Guyana will be recognised as a regional leader in tropical and coastal ecosystem research, underpinned by international partnerships and homegrown expertise.
