Biography

Dr. Hooman Salari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Production and Genetics. After obtaining his high school diploma in Experimental Sciences with a GPA of 19 in Kermanshah and achieving a national rank of 485 in the Iranian University Entrance Exam, he chose to pursue his undergraduate studies in Agricultural Engineering (Agronomy and Plant Breeding) at Shiraz University, driven by his interest in plants. Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree (1989), he earned his M.Sc. in Agriculture (Plant Breeding – Biotechnology) from the University of Tehran, under the supervision of Professor Siroos Abdmishani, Professor Mohammadreza Bi-Hamta, and Professor Bahman Yazdi Samadi (1995).

After successfully passing the national overseas scholarship examination, Dr. Salari undertook his Ph.D. studies in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology at the Australian National University in Canberra, under the supervision of Professor Graham Farquhar and Dr. Josette Masle (2008). He subsequently completed a research program at the Australian National University under the supervision of Professor Marilyn Ball (2009) while simultaneously collaborating with Professor Philip Larkin at CSIRO. Dr. Salari has been a faculty member at Razi University since 2009.

Dr. Salari’s main research interests included the study of parasitic plants, particularly broomrape, and their effects on crop plants. At present, Dr. Salari and his research team have employed a range of approaches—including biological control methods, genetic engineering, and various aspects of biotechnology—to investigate the feasibility of controlling broomrape in tomato. Another ongoing research project of his team focused on different species of Papaver and their role in the production of narcotic pharmaceuticals, with an emphasis on genetic engineering approaches. Previously, he and his collaborators investigated plant responses to abiotic stresses, with particular attention to the engineering of metabolic pathways, especially osmolytes, in Arabidopsis. He also examined the potential for expanding saffron cultivation in the Kermanshah region. Dr. Salari has served as a member of the editorial boards of several national and international journals and has been an active member of scientific associations.

In addition to his teaching and research activities, Dr. Salari has held several administrative and executive positions, including two terms as Director of Research Affairs, Director of the Office of Scientific and International Cooperation, member and secretary of the University Executive Board, and Director of the President’s Office at Razi University. He was honored to have been elected by his colleagues for four terms to the Board of Directors of the Faculty Members’ Professional Association of the University. He served as Vice President for two terms and as President for two terms. Another of his executive responsibilities included establishing the Kermanshah Provincial Forensic Medical Genetics Laboratory and serving as its Technical Director from 2013 to 2019.