about
At Kula Applied Research Institute, we are grounded by three interconnected principles: belonging, regeneration, and resilience. Through conscious design and multidisciplinary research, we seek to embody these principles as we become a support system for all those in service of Earth.
Kiran Topiwala
Executive Director
Kiran is an artist, a designer of regeneration, and a seeker of the right way to be humans together on Earth. He spends his time meditating, making breakfast tacos, and taking photos.
Rohit Topiwala
Director of Finance
Rohit fully believes that the simplest things in life, like food and sharing it with those he loves, truly matter. He joins us on a journey to build a legacy of harmony with nature for future generations.
Ranjit Nair, Ph.D.
Director of Development
Ranjit is a global business expert, advisor, speaker, and educator. He is here to make sure we will never walk alone on our mission to regenerate communities and landscapes.
our team
Lamia Anwar Shama
Head of Labs
Lamia Anwar is a tree hugger who also loves hugging humans (if you're on her good side, that is). Her focus is on improving livelihoods, income, and gender equality.
Christian Ramirez
Founder of Libertad Farms
Driftwood, Texas.
Annie Spade
Founder of OASIS at Big Country Ranches
Dripping Springs, Texas.
Josh Thiboddeux
Co-Founder of Nurture Nature
Austin, Texas.
Lisa Apfelberg
Coordinator at Agrihood Working Group
Austin, Texas.
Desmond Lowe
Founder of Fertile Foods
Driftwood, Texas.
Anna Castonguay
Founder of Awakening Lands
Anna is a collector and curator of stories that traverse the airwaves at the speed of an unladen swallow. As she weaves these stories of place, our forest of support grows.
Benji Ross
Founder of Awakening Lands
Benji is half monk in a cave and half party host in a forest. He is an incredible navigator of uncharted waters all while keeping one eye on the horizon of tomorrow, and the other on the land of today.
Amanda Ramirez
Founder of Libertad Farms
Driftwood, Texas.
Asma Alam
Coordinator of জল-মাটি-গল্প
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sania Iqbal
Coordinator of জল-মাটি-গল্প
Dhaka, Bangladesh.