Dr. Halimeh Hassanpour, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran, Iran
Dr. Halimeh Hassanpour is a distinguished plant physiologist and researcher at the Aerospace Research Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Iran. With a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Physiology from Kharazmi University (2012), she has emerged as a pioneer in the interdisciplinary field of plant space biology. Her research uniquely integrates plant physiology, biotechnology, and environmental stress responses, with a special focus on microgravity and spaceflight conditions. Dr. Hassanpour has led numerous industrial and academic projects involving medicinal plants, algae, and nanoparticles, producing over 40 peer-reviewed articles in SCI/Scopus-indexed journals. She is the author of a notable book on plant responses to gravity and has significantly contributed to space-oriented biological research in Iran. Her Google Scholar citation count exceeds 780, demonstrating the relevance and impact of her work globally. Dr. Hassanpour stands as a leader in advancing sustainable solutions for agriculture and pharmaceuticals in extreme environments.
Publication Profile:
Google Scholar
Orcid
Strength of the Awards:
-
Interdisciplinary Expertise: Dr. Hassanpour has successfully bridged plant physiology with space biology—an emerging and globally significant research domain.
-
High Impact Research: With 781 citations on Google Scholar and publications in SCI/Scopus-indexed journals, her research has gained wide academic recognition.
-
Innovative Focus Areas:
-
Stress physiology in medicinal plants
-
Plant responses to microgravity, magnetic fields, and nanoparticles
-
Secondary metabolite enhancement in in vitro and space-simulated environments
-
Applied Industrial Collaborations: She has led industry-driven projects with measurable outcomes, such as optimizing astaxanthin production from algae and Capsicum growth under controlled lighting.
-
Authorship of a Specialized Book: Her 2019 book on gravity and plant response mechanisms reflects a leadership role in space-biology research.
-
Prolific Output: Over 20 peer-reviewed publications, with strong citation counts (e.g., 80, 69, 63), and active contributions to journals like BMC Plant Biology, Scientific Reports, and Journal of Space Science and Technology.
Areas for Improvement:
-
Global Outreach: While her work is innovative, participation in international collaborations and space biology networks would enhance visibility.
-
Commercialization Strategy: More focus on translational research or tech transfer (e.g., patents, startup ventures) could extend the impact beyond academic circles.
-
Patent Portfolio: Although her work has application potential, published patents or filings would further validate industrial relevance.
Education:
Dr. Hassanpour earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Physiology from Kharazmi University of Iran in 2012. Her doctoral research focused on physiological and biochemical responses of medicinal plants to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and magnetic fields. Prior to her Ph.D., she obtained a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, with a focus on the mechanisms of plant stress adaptation. During her academic journey, she specialized in advanced plant tissue culture, molecular biology, enzymology, and stress physiology techniques. Her education provided the foundation for her pioneering work in plant space biology—especially how plants respond to microgravity, clinorotation, and magnetic stimuli. Her interdisciplinary academic background has uniquely positioned her to bridge the gap between plant sciences and aerospace research, making her an expert in developing stress-resilient plants for space and extreme Earth environments.
Experience:
Dr. Halimeh Hassanpour currently serves as a senior researcher and faculty member at the Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology in Iran. With over a decade of professional experience, she has worked extensively on national and industrial projects, particularly in plant tissue culture, algae biotechnology, and plant responses to environmental stressors. She collaborates with pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, including Karandishan Company and Rezvan Molay Garden Company, optimizing plant production under controlled and stress-simulated environments. Her expertise includes designing bioreactor systems, evaluating oxidative stress biomarkers, and studying gene expression under unique space-simulated conditions. She has also authored a scientific book and serves as a consultant on space biology for plant-based life support systems. Her multi-sectoral experience blends research excellence with real-world applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and space sciences, showcasing her as an influential contributor to both academia and industry.
Research Focus:
Dr. Hassanpour’s research lies at the intersection of plant space biology, stress physiology, and biotechnology. She investigates how medicinal and edible plants adapt to abiotic stress conditions such as low atmospheric pressure, magnetic fields, microgravity, and nanoparticles, mimicking space or harsh terrestrial environments. A key theme of her work involves optimizing plant and algae cultures for pharmaceutical compound production, like astaxanthin from Haematococcus algae or physalins from Physalis alkekengi. She employs tools such as in vitro tissue culture, clinorotation, spectroscopy, and gene expression analysis to study the modulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms, nitric oxide pathways, and DNA methylation under stress. Her findings contribute to the development of resilient plant systems for space missions, controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), and phytopharmaceutical applications. With broad applications in both the space and health industries, her research bridges fundamental biology with innovative technologies aimed at sustainability and health improvement.
Publications Top Notes:
-
🌶️ Red light induced seed germination and seedling growth in Capsicum frutescens – BMC Plant Biology, 2025
-
🧫 Effect of low atmospheric pressure on Dunaliella salina – Journal of Space Science and Technology, 2024
-
🍒 Optimized Physalis alkekengi callus culture for nitric oxide and antioxidants – Scientific Reports, 2024
-
🧪 ROS regulation in Dunaliella salina via fulvic acid – Journal of Applied Phycology, 2024
-
🧲 Cell suspension culture of Physalis under static magnetic field – Protoplasma, 2024
-
🌿 Hyoscyamus niger under clinorotation: alkaloids & gene expression – Protoplasma, 2024
-
🌊 SiO2 nanoparticles in Spirulina platensis: enzyme & metabolite response – Plant Process and Function, 2024
-
🚀 Simulated microgravity enhancing secondary metabolism in Physalis – Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2023
-
🧲 Overview of magnetic field effects on plant physiology – Iranian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2023
-
⚙️ Iron oxide nanoparticles and antioxidant response in Physalis – Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2023
Conclusion:
Dr. Halimeh Hassanpour is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Academic Researcher Award. Her original contributions in space plant biology, environmental stress physiology, and plant biotechnology have placed her among the leaders in a niche but rapidly growing field. With her continued output, interdisciplinary integration, and innovative research direction, she exemplifies the qualities of a world-class academic researcher deserving of recognition.