Arash Sotoodeh, PhD
Botanist and Plant Systematist with Teaching Experience in Ecology, Botany and Agricultural Sciences
About Me
I am a botanist, plant systematist and ecologist with more than 15 years of experience in plant biodiversity, taxonomy, molecular phylogeny and ecology. My work focuses mainly on the flora of Iran, the Mediterranean region and Irano-Turanian plant diversity.
My academic background combines field botany, herbarium studies, morphological and micromorphological analyses, molecular systematics, biogeography and teaching. I am particularly interested in understanding plant diversity, species delimitation and evolutionary relationships, while also contributing to scientific education and student training.
Brief CV:
RESEARCH
My research focuses on plant systematics, integrative taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, biogeography, herbarium collections and plant biodiversity. A central part of my work has been devoted to the genus Verbascum L., but I have also contributed to studies on Onosma, Cousinia, Prunus, Centaurea, Teucrium, Astragalus and other angiosperm groups.
My approach combines classical botany and modern systematic methods, including field observations, herbarium studies, morphological comparison, micromorphology, molecular data and phylogenetic interpretation.
For more details, see the Research Projects page.
EDUCATION
2015 – PhD in Functional Ecology
Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse III, France
Thesis : Biogeography and evolutionary history of the genera Verbascum and Artemisia in Iran using molecular phylogeny
2011 – Master II in Microbiology and Agro-Biosciences
Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, France
2000 – Master’s Degree 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
Teaching areas: botany, plant biology, ecology, biodiversity, plant systematics, field botany, scientific methodology, data analysis and oral/scientific communication.
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
STUDENT SUPERVISION AND RESEARCH TRAINING
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 and botanical documentation are closely connected to my fieldwork, herbarium visits and interest in plant diversity.
photo galleries: botanical trips | botanical gardens | herbaria
Google Scholar | Scopus | ResearchGate | LinkedIn | X (Twitter) | Instagram