Mohammad Reza Shams Ardekani, born in 1960, is a prominent figure in the field of pharmacognosy. He obtained his Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy from the University of Bradford, UK, in 1996.

Currently serving as a Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shams Ardekani holds key academic positions. He is the Secretary and Associate Fellow at the Academy of Sciences of IR Iran and serves as the Secretary for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine at the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences of IR Iran.

Throughout his career, Shams Ardekani has undertaken various administrative roles, including President of the Society of Experts of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacognosy in Iran, President of the School of Persian Medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Chairman of the Committee of Herbal Medicines and Complementary Medicine at the Vice Presidency of Food and Drug - Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

His advisory roles encompass advising the Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, heading the Center for Culture, Etiquette, and Medical Heritage, serving as Deputy Head of the Chair of Theorizing Culture and Civilization of Islam and Iran, acting as Senior Advisor to the President of the Academy of Sciences of IR Iran, and directing the International Relations Development Center at Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences. Shams Ardekani has also held the position of Director General of the Iranian Medicine Office.