About Prof. Dr. Reza Omidbaigi

Reza Omidbaigi was born on 12 October 1956 in Tehran, Iran in a religious family. He obtained his B.Sc. from Tehran University in Plant Sciences in 1985, M.Sc. from Faculty of Horticultural Sciences in Medicinal Plant Production in 1990 under supervision of Dr. Hornok, and Ph.D. in Medicinal Plant Production in 1993 from Hungarian Academy of Sciences under supervision of Prof. Dr. Bernath.

After postdoctoral training at University of Bari in Italy, where he learnt the crop and production of medicinal plant, he came back to Iran and joined the college of Agriculture at Tarbiat Modares University, Iran. He was to remain here the rest of his life, in spite of tempting offers to move elsewhere. He rapidly climbed the academic ladder to become full professor in 2002. He was head of Department of Horticultural Sciences of Tarbiat Modares University right up to his death and established here a high reputation for excellence in teaching and research, which is being carried on by his many students and colleagues.

Also, he was the member of editorial board of some scientific journals (Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants (JEOBP), Modares Agricultural Sciences Journal (MASJ), Iranian Journal of Horticultural Sciences and Technology (IJHST), Iranian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (IJAS), and Agricultural Sciences and Technology Journal (ASTJ)). He was associated with Iranian Science, Research and Technology Ministry, Iranian Academy of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran University and Iranian Academy of Sciences, too. In a highly successful research career, Reza Omidbaigi published more than 140 papers and wrote 21 books.
Reza Omidbaigi received many marks of honors. Some of them are: Distinguished Research Award in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the most outstanding scientific paper in the 20th International Conference on Essential oil Plants and Extracts, 5-7 Sep. Digne, France, 2001, Certificate and Medal from F.A.O in recognition of his outstanding services to agriculture sector, 3 Feb. 2009 and Laureate research and development of 22nd Khwarizmi International Award, 3 Feb. Tehran, 2009.

He was a man of great personal integrity who had a profound influence on the development of medicinal plants cultivation in Iran. A friendly, humble and deeply scientific face, welcoming all colleagues and students, is what has been remained from him in all minds and hearts. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

May God bless him with all his favors…Amen!