Dr. Zakir Ramazanov Tribute

In Loving Memory of Dr. Zakir Ramazanov – Respected Scientist, Advisor and Dear Friend

Dr. Zakir and Tzeira Sofer, founder of Pomega5

Tzeira Sofer (founder), Dr. Zakir and Bren Taylor

at the Expo East 2006 Trade Show

Working closely with founder Tzeira Sofer as she developed the line, Dr. Zakir Ramazonv, former president and owner of National Bioscience Corporation, was a strong advocate of the benefits of pomegranate seed oil and Omega 5, as well as a source of inspiration and a devoted guide to us here at Pomega.

World-renowned for his natural product research and development accomplishments, he worked on a variety of valuable projects during his lifetime, the most important being the introduction of Siberian Rhodiola Rosea to North America as a valuable and scientifically supported dietary supplement.

Other notable contributions include the application of innovative technology for the extraction of lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein from tomatoes and algae, and the extraction of health-promoting marine natural products. Dr. Ramazanov authored several popular books and over 140 scientific articles, and was the inventor of several science and technology patents.

Zakir Ramazanov: A Brief Biography

Dr. Ramazanov at work in the lab

Born in the former Soviet Union, Dr. Zakir Ramazanov graduated at the top of his class from Caucasian State University with a double major in biochemistry and plant physiology (1978). He first learned of Rhodiola Rosea from a fellow soldier while serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He had been very sick at the time and found that such botanicals helped cure his symptoms.

Upon his return to civilian life, Dr. Ramazanov served as Head Engineer at the Institute of Solar Energy of the Soviet Union, participating in the design and construction of solar batteries and bioreactors for the cultivation of dunaliella, chlorella, spirulina, and other algae. He became Senior Scientist and Chief of the Department of Biotechnology of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, and while developing new methods of cultivating algae for human consumption, served as Deputy Chairman of Biotechnological Programs for the Development of Aquatic Biotechnology for Medicine and Food in East European and Asian Countries.

Timeline of Accomplishments:

  • 1989: Left the Soviet Union to work with Professor Goran Samuelsson at the University of Umea, Sweden. Researched intracellular mechanisms of carbon dioxide assimilation by aquatic plants and biochemistry of cell adaptation to low and high carbon dioxide stress.
  • 1990: Became Research Professor of Plant Biochemistry at the Universidad de Cordoba, Spain. Performed groundbreaking research on pomegranate seed oil and began investigating its potential in cancer treatments.
  • 1991: Worked as a research fellow with Professor James Moroney at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Became Director of Science at the Institute of Technology and Marine Sciences in the Canary Islands, Spain.
  • 1992-1996: Developed eight plant-based dietary ingredients and authored two books. Pomegranate seed oil remained one of the key plant ingredients in his research.

He died suddenly on November 30, 2006, and is survived by his wife Svetlana, their son Arthur and their daughter Larissa.

To learn more about the life and work of Dr. Zakir, visit http://rhodiolarosea.org/bio.htm.