Arash Sotoodeh, PhD
Botanist & Researcher in Integrative Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Plant Ecology
About Me
I am a plant systematist and ecologist with over 15 years of research experience in biodiversity and evolution, with a strong focus on the flora of Iran and the Mediterranean region. My academic journey spans fieldwork, herbarium studies, and molecular systematics. I am passionate about understanding plant diversity and evolution and contributing to its conservation through both research and teaching.
Brief CV:
RESEARCH
My research focuses on plant systematics, evolutionary history, biogeography and ecology, especially of the diverse flora in Iran and the Mediterranean — regions known for their biodiversity and unique ecological dynamics.
Using advanced molecular techniques in biosystematic and phylogenetic studies, I explore evolutionary relationships among angiosperms. While my doctoral research was centered on the genus Verbascum, I have since expanded my work to include other taxa such as Onosma, Cousinia, Prunus, and Teucrium, contributing to a broader understanding of plant diversification and taxonomy in biodiversity hotspots.
I am also deeply interested in how plants interact with their environment — including relationships with pollinators, soil, climate, and neighboring species. Although I have not yet formally conducted research in this area, I aim to develop future studies that explore these interactions, particularly in the context of ecosystem resilience, phenotypic plasticity, and biodiversity conservation.
Keywords: Integrative Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Systematics, Biogeography, Evolutionary Biology, Biodiversity Conservation; Angiosperms, Verbascum, Onosma, Cousinia, Prunus; Iran, Mediterranean Region.
EDUCATION
2015 PhD in Functional Ecology (Écologie fonctionnelle),
Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
Thesis : Biogeography and evolutionary history of the genera Verbascum and Artemisia in Iran using molecular phylogeny
2011 Master II of Science in Microbiologie-Agrobiosciences,
Institut national polytechnique (INP) de Toulouse, France
2000 Master’s Degree (MSc) in Plant Breeding,
Azad University, Iran
1994 Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy and Plant Breeding,
Azad University of Karaj, Iran
WORK EXPERIENCES
2020–2025 Lecturer & Researcher (ATER) in Ecology and Plant biology, Université de Bourgogne.
* Teaching and supervising in ecology and plant biology
* Research in systematics, biogeography, and ecology
2015–2020 Chercheur associé, Université Paul Sabatier , Toulouse III, France
* Engaged in research on the flora of Iran and the Mediterranean region.
2015–Present Chercheur associé, Central herbarium of Tehran University (TUH).
2011–2025 – Work on botanical collections (Herbaria)
(University of Tehran, Conservatoire de Genève, Kew Gardens, NHM London, University of Montpellier)
* Conducted in-depth taxonomic studies on the genera Verbascum, Onosma, and Centaurea (morphological and molecular analyses)
* Regular work with herbarium specimens, including morphometry, sorting, photography, metadata management, and research use/valorization
* Collaborated with major museums and institutions for consultation and study of collections
* Co-supervised students on projects related to taxonomy and the valorization of naturalist collections
2011–2015 PhD Researcher – Laboratory of Molecular Biology, EcoLab; Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, France
*Conducted molecular research for biosystematic and phylogenetic studies.
2000–2010 Administrator and IT manager, in different public & private organizations, Iran.
1999–2000 Master’s Internship, Cytogenetic Lab. Institute of Biophysics & Biochemistry, University of Tehran.
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
2020-2025 Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
* Providing practical and supervised work in ecology and plant biology, covering plant diversity, laboratory and field techniques, and statistical analysis of biological and geological data.
2013–2015 Part-time Lecturer, UPS FSI Biology & Geoscience Department, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
*Taught floristic and plant systematics courses.
2005–2010 English Language Instructor (part-time), various institutions, Tehran, Iran
* Taught General and Scientific English, TOEFL preparation, and ICDL courses in several educational settings:
– Isiran Institute
– Foreign Language Teaching Center, University of Tehran
– Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Tehran (Scientific English for pharmacy and traditional medicine students)
– Farhikhtegan Danesh Institute
.ADVISOR or co-supervisor (ENCADREMENT)
2023-Present advisor of PhD. student: Ghamari, F., Species delimitation in Haplotricha group of genus Onosma in Iran using morphological and molecular characters. University of Tehran.
2020-Present advisor of PhD. student: Advai, M., Species delimitation in Asterotricha and Heterotricha groups of genus Onosma in Iran using morphological characters, nrDNA (ITS), and cpDNA (trnH-psbA) sequences. University of Tehran.
2022-2025 co-supervisor of PhD. student: Bayat. N., Investigating the species complex in shrub-thorn almonds (Prunus L. subg. Amygdalus sect. Amygdalus (Rosaceae)). University of Tehran.
2024 Stage L2 MOLINA S., Analyse morphométrique des graines de plantes : Étude comparative des formes et tailles. Université de Bourgogne.
2022-2024 Master student: Fouladi P., Micromorphological study of pollen grains, leaf epidermis and indumentum on the selected species of the genus Verbascum L. in Iran. University of Tehran
2021–2023 Master student: Ghamari F. Taxonomical studies on the Podonosma orientalis (L.) Feinbrun (Boraginaceae) species complex in Iran. University of Tehran
2022 (Juin-Juillet) Stage L3, DEHAYE O., Germination et levée de deux espèces de Delphinium. Université de Bourgogne.
2022 (Juin-Juillet) Stage L3, GOVIN M., Diversité morphologique des graines de deux espèces de Delphinium. Université de Bourgogne.
2021 (Mars-Avril) Stage L1, Goret-Iihashi K., Suivi phénologique de 41 individus de pruniers et de cerisiers du Verger de sauvegarde du campus Montmuzard de l’université de Bourgogne.
2019-2022 Master student: Ramezani A. Taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships in complex Onosma bulbotricha (Boraginaceae) with emphasis on morphological and molecular evidences. University of Tehran
2016-2020 PhD. student: Hadidchi A. Systematic studies on the genus Delphinium L. sensu lato) (Ranunculaceae) in Iran. University of Tehran.
PUBLICATIONS
Attar F., Mirtadzadini M., , Binzet R. & Sotoodeh A. (2025). New taxa of Onosma L. (Boraginaceae, Lithospermeae) from Iran. Adansonia 47: 299-310. doi.org/10.5252/adansonia2025v47a16
Bayat N., Attar F., and A. Sotoodeh (2024). Pollen and Leaf Micromorphological Characteristics of Spiny Almonds (Prunus subgenus Amygdalus) in Iran. Microscopy Research and Technique. doi.org/10.1002/jemt.24717
Advay M., Attar F., Hama S., Ahmad A. and A. Sotoodeh (2024). Onosma safaie-fari (Boraginaceae), a new species from western Iran. Iranian Journal of Botany 30 (1): 12-27. doi.org/10.22092/ijb.2024.364151.1438
Attar F., Mirtadzadini M. & Sotoodeh A.* (2023). Onosma deltiphylla and O. humilis (Boraginaceae), two new species from Iran. Ann. Bot. Fennici 60: 161–166. doi.org/10.5735/085.060.0125
Attar F.*, Sotoodeh A.*, Mirtadzadini M., Daemi M., Civeyrel L. (2023). New findings in Onosma section Protonosma (Boraginaceae) using morphological and molecular evidence. Botany letters 170: 285–302. (*equal contribution). doi.org/10.1080/23818107.2023.2166581
Sotoodeh A., Attar F., Laitung B., Civeyrel L. (2022). Verbascum birjandense and V. urumiense (Scrophulariaceae), two new endemic species for Flora of Iran. Phytotaxa, 538: 035–044. doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.538.1.3
Attar, F., Maroofi, H., Mirtadzadini,M. & Sotoodeh, A. (2022). Two new species of genus Cousinia (Asteraceae, Cardueae) from W and NE Iran. Nova Biologica Reperta 9(2): 144-152. 10.29252/nbr.9.2.144
Attar F., Sotoodeh A., Sheidai M., Esfandni-Bozchloyi S., & M. Mirtadzadini (2021) Taxonomic Importance Of Nutlets And Flowers In Tribe Cynoglosseae (Boraginaceae). Iranian Journal of Botany 27 (2): 146-163 10.22092/ijb.2021.355061.1330
Attar F.*, Sotoodeh A.*, Mirtadzadini M. (2020) Four new species in subsection Asterotricha for the genus Onosma L. (Boraginaceae) from flora of Iran. Feddes Repert, 131: 146-158. doi.org/10.1002/fedr.202000005 (*equal contribution)
Rakizadeh, S., Attar, F. and Sotoodeh, A. (2019). Taxonomic significance of achene morphology on the Centaurea L. (Asteraceae). Nova Biol. Reperta 6: 352-366.
Attar, F., Sotoodeh, A., & Mirtadzadini, M. (2019). ’Teucrium elymaiticum’ (Lamiaceae): a new species for Flora of Iran. Mediterranean Botany, 40: 203-207. doi.org/10.5209/mbot.62020
Sotoodeh A., Attar F., Andalo C., Mirtajaldini M. And L. Civeyrel. (2018). Focusing on three Verbascum L. taxa (Scrophulariaceae) of the Flora of Iran. Adansonia, 40:171-181. doi.org/10.5252/adansonia2018v40a13
Sotoodeh A., F. Attar and L. Civeyrel (2017). Verbascum songaricum subsp. Subdecurrens: a New Record; Typification and True Identity of V. aspinum as a New Synonym of V. stachydiforme in the Flora of Iran. Kew Bulletin, 72: 24. doi.org/10.1007/s12225-017-9696-3
Maassoumi A. A., Sh. Kazempour Osaloo, A. Sotoodeh (2016). A new infrageneric grouping of Astragalus (Fabaceae). The Iranian Journal of Botany, 22: 88-100.
Sotoodeh A., L. Civeyrel, F. Attar (2016). A new species of Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) from the Gilan province (Iran), based on morphological and molecular evidences. Adansonia 38: 127-132. doi.org/10.5252/a2016n1a9
Sotoodeh A., L. Civeyrel, F. Attar (2015). Verbascum shahsavarensis (Scrophulariaceae), a new species for Flora of Iran. Phytotaxa, 203: 76-80. doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.203.1.8
Sotoodeh A., Civeyrel L., Zamani A., Attar F. (2014). Verbascum oreophilum var. oreophilum and Verbascum cheiranthifolium var. asperulum (Scrophulariaceae) Two new records for the flora of Iran. Phytotaxa 173: 205-210. doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.178.3.6
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Nature Photography: I document the beauty and diversity of plants during botanical fieldwork, garden visits, and herbarium research.
Feel free to explore my photo galleries:
botanical trips | botanical gardens | herbaria
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