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.

black nikon dslr camera on white printer paper
black nikon dslr camera on white printer paper
Christian Ramirez

Founder of Libertad Farms

Driftwood, Texas.

blue and white smoke illustration
blue and white smoke illustration
Annie Spade

Founder of OASIS at Big Country Ranches

Dripping Springs, Texas.

red rose with green leaves
red rose with green leaves
Josh Thiboddeux

Co-Founder of Nurture Nature

Austin, Texas.

man and woman standing in front of brown concrete building during daytime
man and woman standing in front of brown concrete building during daytime
Lisa Apfelberg

Coordinator at Agrihood Working Group

Austin, Texas.

Desmond Lowe

Founder of Fertile Foods

Driftwood, Texas.

woman in white and brown dress standing on green grass during night time
woman in white and brown dress standing on green grass during night time
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.

yellow sunflower field during daytime
yellow sunflower field during daytime
Amanda Ramirez

Founder of Libertad Farms

Driftwood, Texas.

woman in white and brown dress standing on green grass during night time
woman in white and brown dress standing on green grass during night time
Asma Alam

Coordinator of জল-মাটি-গল্প

Dhaka, Bangladesh.

water falls in the forest
water falls in the forest
Sania Iqbal

Coordinator of জল-মাটি-গল্প

Dhaka, Bangladesh.

our fellows