Akbar Karami | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Akbar Karami | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Excellence in Research Award

Shiraz university | Iran

Dr. Akbar Karami is a dedicated molecular biologist specializing in the study of medicinal and aromatic plants, with a strong research focus on secondary metabolite pathways and their underlying molecular mechanisms. His work explores how plants synthesize valuable bioactive compounds, emphasizing the identification and isolation of genes encoding key enzymes involved in complex biosynthetic routes. He has conducted extensive research on the phytochemical and genetic diversity of medicinal plants, aiming to understand natural variations in metabolite profiles and genetic structures that contribute to the therapeutic potential of plant species. Dr. Karami actively investigates the cytotoxic properties of plant-derived natural compounds, assessing their effects on various human cancer cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes through collaborative research efforts. His scientific interests also extend to advanced analytical and genomic methodologies, particularly the use of MS-based metabolomics and next-generation sequencing technologies to unravel natural product biosynthesis with deeper precision. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, he integrates molecular biology, phytochemistry, and genomics to discover novel plant compounds, decode metabolic pathways, and support the development of plant-based therapeutic applications. His work contributes to a broader understanding of how medicinal plants can be leveraged for drug discovery, biotechnology innovation, and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Dr. Karami’s research continues to push the boundaries of plant molecular science, providing insight into metabolic engineering opportunities and the potential enhancement of bioactive metabolite production.

Featured Publications

Esmaeili, H., Karami, A., & Maggi, F. (2018). Essential oil composition, total phenolic and flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activity of Oliveria decumbens Vent. (Apiaceae) at different phenological stages. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198, 91–95.

Manouchehri, R., Saharkhiz, M. J., Karami, A., & Niakousari, M. (2018). Extraction of essential oils from damask rose using green and conventional techniques: Microwave and ohmic assisted hydrodistillation versus hydrodistillation. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 8, 76–81.

Esmaeili, H., Karami, A., Hadian, J., Saharkhiz, M. J., & Ebrahimi, S. N. (2019). Variation in the phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra populations collected in Iran. Industrial Crops and Products, 137, 248–259.

Mahdavikia, F., Saharkhiz, M. J., & Karami, A. (2017). Defensive response of radish seedlings to the oxidative stress arising from phenolic compounds in the extract of peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.). Scientia Horticulturae, 214, 133–140.

Mousavi, S. S., Karami, A., Haghighi, T. M., Tumilaar, S. G., Fatimawali, Idroes, R., … (2021). In silico evaluation of Iranian medicinal plant phytoconstituents as inhibitors against main protease and the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. Molecules, 26(18), 5724.

Chamani Reza | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Chamani Reza | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Birjand | Iran

Dr. Reza Chamani is a postdoctoral researcher in Watershed Management Sciences and Engineering at Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran, where he contributes to advancing sustainable watershed health and land degradation neutrality approaches. He earned his Ph.D. in Watershed Management from TMU with a dissertation focusing on the effects of hydrologic service changes resulting from watershed management measures on watershed health, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mehdi Vafakhah and Prof. Dr. Sayed Hamidreza Sadeghi. His postdoctoral research further expands this expertise by developing a watershed health-based action plan for Iran’s second-order priority watersheds, applying innovative frameworks aligned with global sustainability goals. Dr. Chamani also holds a Master’s degree in Watershed Management from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, where he studied land use management adaptation to climate change in collaboration with the University of Jena, Germany, and a Bachelor’s degree in Pasture and Watershed Management from Zabol University, where he evaluated the effects of watershed structures on water resources. Professionally, he has served as a watershed expert with the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management in Birjand and South Khorasan Province, where he contributed to the design, planning, and implementation of watershed projects, including dam site studies and structural evaluations. As a member of the Iran Watershed Association and the World Association for Soil and Water Conservation (WASWC), he actively engages with the global scientific community. His academic and professional career reflects a strong commitment to integrating research, policy, and practical management strategies for sustainable natural resource use.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Chamani, R., Vafakhah, M., & Sadeghi, S. H. (2023). Changes in reliability–resilience–vulnerability-based watershed health under climate change scenarios in the Efin Watershed, Iran. Natural Hazards, 116(2), 2457–2476.

  • Chamani, R., Vafakhah, M., Tavosi, M., & Zare, S. (2022). Assessment of the effect of climate change on the health status of Atrak watershed in Northeastern of Iran. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 15(24), 1745.

  • Chamani, R., Sadeghi, S. H., Zare, S., Shekohideh, H., Mumzaei, A., Amini, H., … & Zarei, R. (2023). Flood‐oriented watershed health and ecological security conceptual modeling using PSR approach for the Sharghonj Watershed, South Khorasan Province, Iran. Natural Resource Modeling, 36(3), e12385.

  • Sadeghi, S. H. R., Chamani, R., … & Moosavi, V. (2023). Watershed health and ecological security zoning throughout Iran. Science of the Total Environment, 899, 165790.

  • Sadeghi, S. H., Chamani, R., Kalehhouei, M., & Haji, K. (2024). Health variability based on SPI and estimating median and mean health indices in watersheds and townships of Kermanshah Province, Iran. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1–21.