Famous Iranian Scientists

Omar Khayyam was a Persian polymath known for his significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and poetry. As a mathematician, he excelled in solving cubic equations and delved into understanding Euclid's parallel axiom. In astronomy, he accurately calculated the solar year and devised the Jalali calendar, which remains in use today. He also left a poetic legacy with his quatrains, known as rubāʿiyāt, which gained international recognition through Edward FitzGerald's translation. Khayyam's diverse expertise and intellectual pursuits have left a lasting impact across multiple disciplines.

Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, a Persian Muslim astronomer, made significant contributions to the field through his work "The Book of Fixed Stars," completed in 964. This comprehensive work included textual descriptions and illustrations, showcasing his expertise in the field. Al-Sufi's work on the ecliptic, as noted by Al-Biruni, was conducted in Shiraz, while he resided at the Buyid court in Isfahan. His professional life was marked by a deep understanding of astronomy and a dedication to advancing knowledge in the field.

Maryam Mirzakhani was an Iranian mathematician and professor at Stanford University known for her research in Teichmüller theory, hyperbolic geometry, ergodic theory, and symplectic geometry. In 2014, she made history by becoming the first woman and first Iranian to receive the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics. The award committee recognized her contributions to the dynamics and geometry of Riemann surfaces. Tragically, she passed away in 2017 at the age of 40 after battling breast cancer.

Mostafa Chamran Save'ei was a prominent Iranian physicist, politician, and military figure. He played a significant role in the post-revolutionary Iran as the first defense minister and a member of parliament. Chamran also served as the commander of paramilitary volunteers during the Iran–Iraq War, heading the "Irregular Warfare Headquarters." He made significant contributions to Iran's defense and military strategies, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty during the war. Chamran's legacy as a dedicated leader and fighter remains an important part of Iranian history.

Masoumeh Ebtekar is an Iranian reformist politician who has held various significant roles in the Iranian government. She served as the Vice President of Iran for Women and Family Affairs and previously headed the Department of Environment, being the first female member in the cabinet of Iran since 1979. She is also a full professor at Tarbiat Modares University. Ebtekar's professional journey includes being the spokeswoman of the students during the 1979 revolution, head of the Environment Protection Organization of Iran, and a city councilwoman of Tehran.

Al-Karaji was a prominent mathematician and engineer who thrived in Baghdad during the 10th century. He hailed from Karaj, a city close to Tehran. His professional life was marked by significant contributions to mathematics, particularly through his three principal surviving works: Al-Badi' fi'l-hisab (Wonderful on calculation), Al-Fakhri fi'l-jabr wa'l-muqabala (Glorious on algebra), and Al-Kafi fi'l-hisab (Sufficient on calculation). His expertise and innovation in the field of mathematics left a lasting impact on the scientific community of his time.

Abu al-Wafa Buzjani was a renowned Persian mathematician and astronomer based in Baghdad. He made significant contributions to spherical trigonometry, including introducing negative numbers in Islamic texts. He compiled tables of sines and tangents, and created the secant and cosecant functions. His work on the interrelations between trigonometric lines associated with an arc was highly influential. His Almagest was widely studied by Arabic astronomers posthumously, and he authored several other books that are now lost to history.

Abū Ḥanīfa Aḥmad ibn Dāwūd Dīnawarī was a prominent figure during the Islamic Golden Age, known for his vast expertise in various fields. He excelled as an astronomer, contributing valuable insights to the understanding of celestial bodies. As an agriculturist, he made significant advancements in farming practices. His botanical studies added to the knowledge of plant life. Additionally, he made important contributions as a metallurgist, geographer, mathematician, and historian, leaving a lasting legacy in the fields of science and scholarship.

Baha al-Din al-Amili was a prominent Levantine Arab Shia Islamic scholar, poet, philosopher, architect, mathematician, and astronomer who lived in Safavid Iran in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was known for his contributions to astronomy, being one of the first Islamic astronomers to propose the Earth's movement. He played a significant role in the Isfahan School of Islamic Philosophy and was a teacher of Mulla Sadra. Al-Amili authored numerous treatises in Arabic and Persian and is credited with architectural and engineering designs, possibly including landmarks in Isfahan.

Shahram Amiri was an Iranian nuclear scientist known for his work in particle physics at the Malek-Ashtar University of Technology in Tehran. He was involved in controversial circumstances surrounding his disappearance in 2009 while on a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. After reappearing in the US and claiming he had been kidnapped and tortured by Saudi and American forces, he later returned to Iran and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Despite conflicting reports about his activities, he was ultimately executed by the Iranian government in 2016.