Dr. Shiva Gautam is a remarkable figure who seamlessly bridges the disciplines of high-level biostatistics and medical research in the United States with a profound contribution to Nepali literature as a poet, short story writer, and essayist. Born and educated initially in Nepal, he has spent decades as a leading professor at some of America's most prestigious universities, concurrently serving as a powerful intellectual force and a dedicated philanthropist committed to the educational and medical advancement of his home country. His life is an embodiment of the global Nepali intellectual
🌟 Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings in Nepal
Shiva Gautam was born on Kartik 29, 2010 BS (c. November 15, 1953) in Sisneri, within Yampang, Bhojpur District, Nepal. His formative years began in the hills of Eastern Nepal before his academic journey led him through several critical institutions.
He began his primary education in Bhojpur before moving to the Terai, where he completed his S.L.C. (School Leaving Certificate) in Biratnagar. He then pursued higher education in India and Nepal:
I.Sc. (Intermediate of Science): Completed in Banaras (Varanasi), India.
B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science): Completed at Tri-Chandra College, Kathmandu.
M.Sc. (Master of Science): Completed at Tribhuvan University (TU), Kirtipur.
His early professional life in Nepal was marked by diverse and important roles, showcasing his early administrative and analytical skills.
🇺🇸 A Distinguished Academic Career in Biostatistics
Dr. Gautam’s pursuit of advanced scientific knowledge led him to the United States, where he secured his Ph.D. in Statistics from the University of Texas at Dallas.
His academic and research appointments in the U.S. include tenured and senior faculty positions at a constellation of eminent institutions:
Vanderbilt University: Associate Professor of Biostatistics and Biostatistician at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, serving for five years.
4 He was also the Director of the Biostatistics Program for the Digestive Disease Research Center.5 Harvard Medical School (HMS): Associate Professor of Medicine.
6 He served for thirteen years, notably as the Biostatistics Director of the Harvard-Thorndike General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) (a precursor to the Harvard CTSC) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a teaching hospital of HMS.7 He later served as an Associate Director of the pan-Harvard CTSC Biostatistics Program.8 University of Florida (UF Health - Jax): Professor of Biostatistics, where he was recruited in 2013 to help develop the new Department of Biostatistics.
9 Other Institutions: He has also held faculty positions at Oklahoma State University, University of North Carolina Health Sciences University, University of Vermont, and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.
Research Excellence and Scholarly Recognition
Dr. Gautam's research focus is highly specialized and impactful, centering on the rigorous application of statistical methods to complex biological and health data. His core research interests include:
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Disease Screening and Infectious Disease Surveillance
Image Processing and Spatio-Temporal Data Streams
Process Monitoring (Statistical Process Control)
Regression Modeling and Survival Analysis
His scholarly output is prodigious, encompassing over 180 research papers in highly respected, refereed journals, along with three methodological books.
Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA)
Elected Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Elected Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS)
He has also served on the editorial boards of major statistical journals, including the Journal of the American Statistical Association, Biometrics, and Technometrics, and as a reviewer for study sections of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
✍️ Contributions to Nepali Literature
Despite his demanding scientific career, Dr. Gautam has maintained an active and significant presence in the Nepali literary world, writing actively since the 1970s (2030s BS). Residing abroad, he has enriched Nepali literature with a unique blend of philosophical thought and poignant reflection, particularly in his poetry, short stories, and essays.
Published Literary Works:
Dr. Gautam’s published works span several decades and genres:
| Year (BS) | Year (AD) | Title | Genre | Notes |
| २०५६ | c. 1999 | सपनाका रङहरू (Sapanaaka Rangaharu) | Poetry Collection | "Colors of Dreams" |
| २०६० | c. 2003 | मुटुनेरीको सिस्नेरी (Mutuneri ko Sisneri) | Poetry Collection | "Sisneri in the Heart’s Core" (Sisneri being his birthplace) |
| २०७४ | c. 2017 | बाटो हेरिरहने बाटाहरू (Baato Herirahane Baataharu) | Poetry Collection | "The Roads That Keep Watching for the Road" |
| २०७४ | c. 2017 | झ्याम्ली बाखाको पाठो (Jhyamli Baakhaako Paatho) | Essay Collection | "The Kid of the Striped Goat" |
| २०७८ | c. 2021 | शीतांशु (Shitaanshu) | Poetry Collection | "Moonbeam/Cool Ray" |
Philosophical Writings
A distinct hallmark of his writing is his focus on philosophical and existential essays, which challenge conventional thought and draw from diverse intellectual traditions. Noteworthy philosophical essays include:
Is there Knowledge in Vedas?
A Few Fundamental Laws of Physics from the Gita
Atas-Utus and God
जीवनको अर्थ छ त? (Jeevan Ko Artha Chha Ta?) – "Is There Meaning to Life?"
🌍 Global Engagement and Philanthropic Work
Dr. Gautam’s commitment to Nepal extends far beyond literature. He has been a tireless advocate and contributor to the improvement of medical and educational standards in Nepal, often leveraging his vast network and experience in the U.S.
Promoting Medical Education
He played a key instrumental role in the early development of the Kathmandu University Medical School (KUMS) in Nepal.
Consulting on curriculum design and developing teaching materials.
Personally teaching biostatistics to medical students as a volunteer.
15 Coordinating the donation and shipping of essential equipment like microscopes, slides, and medical books from the U.S.
Arranging for renowned faculty from Vanderbilt and other U.S. institutions to visit Nepal and volunteer their teaching services.
16 Facilitating training opportunities for Nepali physicians in the U.S. (e.g., at Vanderbilt University).
17
He is also actively involved with organizations such as the America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF), where he has served in various leadership and coordination roles.
The Fulbright Scholar Award (2023-2024)
A capstone to his career of transatlantic engagement came with the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award for the 2023-2024 academic year.
📜 Legacy
Dr. Shiva Gautam is a genuine polymath—a rare individual whose professional success in a highly technical field like biostatistics has not dimmed his passion for the humanities. He represents the ideal of the scholar who uses scientific rigor to advance global health while simultaneously using literary and philosophical depth to enrich a national culture. His legacy is etched in both the countless scientific papers that bear his name and the thoughtful, philosophical verses and essays that contribute to the modern Nepali literary canon, all while actively building bridges between academic excellence in the West and development in Nepal.
मुटुनेरीको सिस्नेरी सिस्नेरी मेरी जननी, मेरो जन्मभूमि घाम कुल्कँदाखेरि घाम अस्ताउँदाखेरि म तिमीलाई सम्झन्छु उषा अनि गोधूलिलाई हेरी । कहिले हिलैहिलाको होली खेली कहिले धूलै लोमा धुलिई म तिम्रा पाखामा तिमी मेरा आँखामा हराइरहन्थ्यौं संसारलाई नै भुली, कोसँग जिस्किन्छन् तिम्रा ती करी ? कोसँग खेल्छन् अचेल तिम्रा खडेरी ? सिस्नेरी ! तिमी मेरी यशोदा थियौ म तिम्रो चकचके कृष्ण अटेरी । परदेश गएका छोराछोरीका पीरले आमाको छाती चर्किन्छ भन्छन्, बेलाबेला मेरा आँखाबाट बग्ने भेलले तिम्रो छातीमा पहिरो जान्छ कि जाँदैन ? बेलाबेला म त्यसै उदासिन्छु तिम्रा पाखालाई कुहिराले ढाक्छ कि ढाक्तैन ? सिस्नेरी ! तिमीले मलाई बिस्यों कि सम्झेकै छयौ, मैले तिमीलाई सम्झेजस्तै गरी । म जतिसुकै बूढो भए पनि सिस्नेरी ! मभित्र तिम्रो सम्झना सधैं तन्नेरी, तिमीसँगको दूरी जतिसुकै बढे पनि सिस्नेरी ! तिमी सधैं मेरो मुटुनेरी । |
हाँसो र रोदन सायद त्यस्तो केही छ रुनुमा जो छँदै छैन हाँस्नुमा, त्यसैले होला बेलाबेला हाँस्नभन्दा छन् रुन मन पराउँछ यो मन । गहको गहिराइमा जमेका आँसुका दहमा सायद त्यस्तो केही छ जसले सधैं राहत 'पुऱ्याउँछ आहत मनका ऐया र आहमा म रुन्छु र मेरो मन धुन्छु म रुन्छु र अर्को एउटा मन छुन्छु, हाँसो त खालि ओठबाट चिप्लेर जान्छ नपत्याए तिमी हाँसेर हेर म तिम्रो हाँसोलाई हाँसोमै उडाइदिन्छु । |
तिमीबिनाको जीवनएक दिन म त्यसै नाना थरीका कुरा सोचिरहेको थिएँ । आकाश-पातालका कुरा जीवनका उकाली ओरालीका कुरा फेद न टुप्पाका कुरा बाह-सत्ताइस कुरा । यो मनका उडान कहाँकहाँ पो पुगेनन् र मैले केके पो सोचिन र तर जति बल गरे पनि तिमीबिनाको जीवन कस्तो होला भनेर सोच्नै सकिनँ । |
बिहान प्रत्येक बिहान उपत्यकाले ओढिराखेको हुस्सुलाई अनि हिमाल छोपिराखेका बादललाई आफ्ना किरणहरूले बिस्तारै उचालेर सूर्य धरतीका अङ्गअङ्गलाई सुटुक्क म्वाइँ खान्छ, अचानक मैले यालबाट चिहाइराखेको देखेर सूर्य लाजले भुतुक्क हुँदै रातो अनुहार लाउँछ र, थाहा नपाएजसरी चुपचाप मध्याह्नतिर लाग्छ । |
यो एक्लोपनबाँचुन्जेलका आत्था र ऐयामा अनि जन्म र मृत्युशय्यामा म एक्लै छु म एक्लै थिएँ, र हुन्छु तर तिमी पनि त एक्लै छौ ऊ पनि एक्लै छ मेरो एक्लोपन तिम्रो भन्दा बेग्लै छैन हामी एक्लाएक्लै भए पनि हाम्रो एक्लोपन एक्लै छैन । |
नदीमाथिको पुलनदीमाथिको पुलले दुइटै किनारालाई अँगालो मारेको हुन्छ । नदीका दुई किनाराको भेट हुनै सक्तैन भन्छन्, एउटा पुल हालिदिए भैगयो नि । |
तिमीले जान्छु भनेपछितिमीले 'अब जान्छु' भनेपछि मैले पनि तिमीलाई रोकिनँ, तर यो नसम्झ त्यो सुनेर मेरो मनमा भुइँचालो जाँदै गएन । मैले 'नजाऊ' भनेको भए सायद तिमी अहिलेलाई अडिन्थ्यौ होला, तर फेरि केही समयपश्चात् पहिल्यै नगएकोमा पश्चात्ताप गर्दै 'अब त जान्छु है' भन्थ्यौ होला अनि फेरि मेरो मनमा अर्को भुइँचालो जान्थ्यो होला । मेरो मन कमजोर छ मेरो मन एकदमै कमजोर छ, बारम्बार जाने भुइँचालाहरू यसले धान्न सक्तैन, तिमीले जाने कुरा गरेपछि मैले पनि तिमीलाई रोकिनँ, तर यो नसम्झ तिम्रा कुराले मेरो मनमा भुइँचालो जाँदै गएन । |
सोचाइका पिंजराभित्रको कैदीमलाई कुनै चोट पर्दा मैले आँसु गहमै लुकाएँ भने आफ्ना पीरमा पनि आँखाबाट नीर ननिकाल्ने निठुरी भन्दै उल्टै मसँग निरास हुन्छौ । हेर त ! मैले आफ्ना पीडामा पनि तिम्रै खुसीको बिंडा उठाउनुपर्ने हुन्छ । पिंजरामा बन्द एउटा चरा जस्तै बिचरा म तिम्रा विचारका बारले निर्मित कारागारमा कैदी छु । तिम्रा सोचाइका तराजुमा मैले सधैं जोखिनुपर्ने हुन्छ, तिम्रै सोचाइका गन्दगी र गङ्गामा मैले बिटुलिने र चोखिनुपर्ने हुन्छ । तिमीले मलाई मुक्त गर्नैपर्छ तिम्रा कैदखानाबाट, आकाशका उचाइहरू आतुर छन् मेरा पखेटा उचाल्न । |
एकादेशमामहलहरूमा नयाँ मालिक बसेछन् सहरहरूमा नयाँ सालिक उठेछन्, पुरानो व्यवस्था गएर नयाँ व्यवस्था आएछ तर, धेरैको अवस्था उस्तै रहेछ धेरैको विवशता उस्तै रहेछ पहिले बेवास्ता गरिएकाहरूको अहिले पनि बेवास्तै भएछ । |
नेपाल बोकेरै म जहाँ जान्छु नेपाल बोकेरै जान्छु, म जता हिँड्छु हिमाल उचालेरै हिँड्छु । अरनिकोले बिर्सेनन् नेपाल न बिर्सिन् भृकुटीले, भेष बेग्लै होला परिवेश बेग्लै होला तर कसरी बिर्सेलान् नेपाल मेरो छातीभित्रका ढुकढुकीले । दुस्मनको पनि मन जित्ने पराईले पनि मन पराइदिने म त नेपालको सन्तति, नेपालको कीर्ति फैलाई हिँड्ने म त एउटा चक्रवर्ती, म जहाँ टेक्छु त्यो नेपाल बन्छ, म जुन हिउँचुली हेर्छु त्यो हिमाल हुन्छ । म परदेशमा भए पनि मेरो देश पर छैन, म जहाँ जान्छु नेपाल बोकेरै जान्छु । |
अनिदो रात मनमा केही कुरा खड्कियो निकास नपाएर त्यो त्यहीं अड्कियो, आँखामा नीद आएन त्यो रात म मात्र हैन रात पनि रातभरि निदाएन । सगरमा ताराले बत्ती बालेर रातलाई सुत्न दिएनन्, सागरमा छालले उछारपछार गरेर रातलाई सुत्न दिएनन्, जङ्गलमा सल्ला, बेंसीमा खोला सुसाइरहे, हल्लाखल्ला गरिरहे । कतै कीरा कराएर कतै कुकुर कराएर कतै धनचोरहरूले कतै मनचोरहरूले पापी अनि आततायीहरूले रातलाई बिथोलिरहे, सताइरहे। 'सधैं जस्तै आज पनि तिम्रा आँखामा सुत्न देऊ' भनी रातले हात जोडी अनुरोध गरिरह्यो तर मेरा आँखाले रातभरि नै विरोध गरिरहे । उज्यालो भएपछि 'घामले आँखा खायो' भन्दै सुत्नलाई कुनै आँखा पाइन्छ कि भन्दै रात सुटुक्क पृथ्वीको पल्लोपट्टि गयो । |
सत्य : एउटा चिन्तनजोगीले भने- "मान्छेले सत्य खोज्नुपर्छ सत्य नै मोक्षको मार्ग हो ।" म त्यस बेला केटाकेटी नै थिएँ र, सोच्न थालें- सत्य जाँतामा पिँधेर, वा ढिकीमा कुटेर खाने कुनै अन्न पो हो कि, वा गोठमा दाम्लाले बाँधेर घाँसपात र खोले खुवाएर दूध दुहिने गाईभैंसी जस्तै कुनै जनावर पो हो कि अथवा सत्य भनेको अजर, अमर पार्ने कतै कुनै अजम्मरी बुटी पो छ कि ? म अझै पनि यस्तै सोच्छु सत्यका बारेमा । जसलाई हामी असत्य ठान्छौं त्यही पो सत्य हो कि ? |
उज्यालोभित्रको अँध्यारोदिनको उज्यालोमा पनि अँध्यारो त्यतै कतै हुन्छ, गुफामा ओडारमा छायामा अँध्यारो गुडुल्किएर पर्खिरहन्छ कुन बेला उज्यालो लुलो होला भनेर गुफा, ओडार र छाया, तर उज्यालोमा मात्रै देखिन्छन्, मेरो मनभित्रका गुफाहरू पनि मेरो मनका उज्यालाले मात्र देख्छन् । |
शत्रुको खोजीमा मेरा बाजेले मैले सम्झने पहिलो विजयादशमीमा विजयी हुन् भनेर आशिष् दिएदेखि निरन्तर म एउटा शत्रुको खोजीमा छु जसमाथि विजय प्राप्त गर्न सकूँ । मेरो यो खोज निरन्तर जारी छ, मेरो यो खोज नै मेरो शत्रु भएको छ यसमाथि मैले विजय प्राप्त गर्न सकेको छैन । बाजे बाँचिरहनुभएको भए सोध्ने थिएँ होला किन त्यस्तो आशिष् दिएको भनेर । |