Iranian Scientist Honored with Bionorica Phytoneering Award for Groundbreaking Contributions

Iranian Scientist Honored with Bionorica Phytoneering Award for Groundbreaking Contributions

In a remarkable achievement for traditional medicine, Roja Rahimi, a distinguished professor of Traditional Pharmacy at the School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, has been honored with the Bionorica Phytoneering Award 2025. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional research in the development and application of phytopharmaceutical products, underscoring the importance of herbal medicine in contemporary healthcare.

The Bionorica Phytoneering Award is bestowed by the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA) and aims to inspire scientists to engage in innovative research across several vital areas, including:

  • Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of herbal medicinal products and their active components.
  • Clinical research targeting respiratory tract infections, inflammation, women’s health, and metabolic syndrome.
  • Safety and pharmacovigilance studies to ensure the safe use of herbal medicines.

Roja Rahimi’s academic journey began with her graduation from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, where she earned a Pharm.D. degree. She continued her studies at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completing her Ph.D. in traditional pharmacy. Additionally, she holds a Postdoctoral degree in Pharmacology of Medicinal Plants Used in Gastrointestinal Disorders in Persian Medicine.

Her contributions to the field of traditional medicine are substantial; she has authored over 200 articles and has served as an editor and author for various book chapters published internationally. Rahimi’s expertise primarily revolves around evaluating the safety and efficacy of Traditional Persian Medicine formulations in both pre-clinical and clinical settings.

Medicinal plants and natural products present unique opportunities in healthcare and drug development. The Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research is dedicated to promoting a healthier life for both humans and animals by advancing evidence-based practices in the use of medicinal natural products. The Society also facilitates knowledge exchange through:

  • Annual conferences
  • E-symposia
  • Workshops
  • Podcasts

In the past Iranian calendar year (March 2023 – March 2024), women made up 12.75 percent of the most-cited researchers in the country. Notably, the Ministry of Health accounted for 29.57 percent of the most-cited female researchers, highlighting the significant contributions of women in the scientific community.

According to a recent report from the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC), a total of 177 Iranian female researchers have been acknowledged across a variety of fields, including:

  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Neuroscience and Psychology
  • Engineering
  • Material Science
  • Psychiatry/Psychology
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Social Sciences
  • Immunology

Additionally, 375 female Iranian researchers are ranked among the top two percent globally in various disciplines such as Clinical Medicine, Biomedicine, Chemistry, and Engineering, showcasing their exceptional performance and contributions to science.

In Iran, women contribute to over 24 percent of the country’s inventions, surpassing the global average of 17 percent. This statistic reflects the rapid advancements women are making in high-tech product manufacturing and the knowledge-based economy. Iranian women are proving their capabilities across various sectors, including technology, which is traditionally male-dominated.

The presence of women in leadership roles has also seen notable growth. The percentage of female CEOs and chairpersons of knowledge-based companies has significantly increased over the past three years, with the number of female managers almost doubling from 1,092 in the Iranian calendar year 1400 (2021-2022) to 2,250 by the end of the first nine months of the current Iranian year starting March 20, 2024.

Despite these advances, only 12 percent of entrepreneurship and start-ups are founded by women. Among the board of directors of knowledge-based companies, only 5,154 out of 27,237 members are women, making up 19 percent of the total.

Recently, four Iranian women made history by winning the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2024, a significant event organized by the BRICS Entrepreneurs Forum. The international panel of judges evaluated more than 1,000 applications from 30 countries, emphasizing the global recognition of Iranian women’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

With continued support and recognition, the impact of women in science, technology, and entrepreneurship in Iran is poised to grow, inspiring future generations to explore and excel in these fields.

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