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Dr.Merve Kaya

Dr.Merve Kaya

Expert in Agribusiness Strategy and Innovation

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Website
MunichGermany
Work Experience
  • Department: Life Science Engineering, Chair: Digital Agriculture. https://www.lse.ls.tum.de/dag/
  • Project Overview: The "Revolution of Food Production" project aims to enhance ''Vertical Farming'' systems to drastically increase crop yields and reduce resource use by re-engineering wheat for controlled environments. https://tinyurl.com/2pcsyrnx
  • Tasks: Assisted in grant proposal development. Facilitated collaboration among 27 Principal Investigators, Organized research events for 50 participants. Managed a research budget of €1M, Outsourced journalists, editors, translators for project communications.
  • Reporting: Director of HEF (Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher by Web of Science)
  • Skills: Grant Writing , Grant Coordination, Vertical Farming, SAP ERP
  • Company Overview: Agrochemical company based in Turkey, producing residue-free plant protection (fungicides and insecticides) and plant nutrition (microbials and biofertilizers). https://supersol.com.tr/
  • Tasks: Creating strategic business plans.
  • Achievement: Signed a distribution contract in Brazil (https://www.biotrop.com.br/), significantly expanding its market presence.
  • Reporting: CEO
  • Skills: Agrochemicals, International Business Development, Contract Negotiation
  • Company Overview: Dynamic manufacturing company based in Turkey & England for the production and sales of fertilizers https://ceon.com.tr/
  • Tasks: Led corporate media strategy, enhancing the company’s global image.
  • Reporting: CEO
  • Skills: Corporate Communications, Media Relations
  • Company Overview: Biotechnology-based Spanish company, specialized in the science of microalgae to develop and commercialize high quality biostimulants http://www.algaenergy.es
  • Tasks: Developing marketing materials, Leading product registrations, Prioritizing new product concepts, Engaging potential clients
  • Achievement: Led cross-functional teams through the Stage-Gate Process, achieving 5 successful product developments per market.
  • Reporting: President
  • Skills: Portfolio Management, Product Marketing, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Biostimulants, Field Trials
  • Company Overview: The largest fertilizer (AN, CAN, DAP and NPK) producer of Turkey https://www.toros.com.tr/
  • Tasks: Leading quality control processes (sieve analysis, viscosity, anti-caking tests, and micro/macro element assessments), Guiding 10 post-graduate researchers for product development.
  • Achievement: Oversaw the construction of a 500 m² R&D Greenhouse, boosting research capacity.
  • Reporting: Vice President of Research
  • Skills: Quality Assurance, Research and Development, Kaizen
  • Company Overview: French startup, innovating in sensors for soil management https://www.weenat.com/
  • Tasks: Building communication channels in Brazil.
  • Reporting: CEO
  • Skills: Precision Agriculture, Market Research
  • About INRA: Europe's top Agricultural Research Institute http://www.inra.fr/en/
  • Project Overview: WallTraC Project is well equipped to dissect plant cell wall & polymer structures and develop analytical procedures required for - and suited to - industrial exploitation.
  • Partners: INRA France, Copenhagen Uni and CP Kelco Denmark, Newcastle and Leeds Uni UK, Lisbon Uni Portugal, Potsdam Uni and Max Planck Inst. Germany, Bayer Belgium.
  • Tasks: Characterization of pectic samples for their composition and macromolecular properties.
  • Reporting: Deputy Manager
  • Skills: Statistical Data Analysis, IBM SPSS
  • Company Overview: Producer of pectin, gellan gum and many other nature-based ingredients https://www.cpkelco.com/
  • Tasks: Functional tests (gelling and stabilizing power) of extracted-pectin samples.
  • Reporting: Innovation Manager
  • Skills: Hydrocolloids
Education

Marie Curie PhD Fellowship

University of Nantes, France

February 2012 to February 2015
Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, Major: Biochemistry
Thesis: Structure and functionality of citrus pectin. Focused on the impact of extraction conditions, structural variations, and characterization of pectin building blocks.
Achievement: European PhD Certificate Evaluation: "très bon" (very good).

Innovator PostDoc Fellowship

EIT Food - European Institute of Innovation and Technology, Belgium

June 2020 to June 2021
Entrepreneurial Studies, Major: Agri-Food Research Based Entrepreneurship
Program Partners: Aarhus University, Denmark and Universita Degli Studi di Torino, Italy.

Content: Business modeling (Forward Fooding, England), New business financial models (Nagima Business Consulting, Italy), Network effects and platform economy (Azti, Spain), Emerging technologies (Deusto Business School, Spain), Leadership in the COVID era (Fair Saturday Foundation, Spain), Public engagement (Wageningen University, The Netherlands).

Food for Thought MBA Fellowship

Escola Superior De Propaganda E Marketing (ESPM), São Paulo, Brazil

September 2015 to September 2016
Food and Agribusiness Management (Dual Degree)
Thesis: Analyzing the digital agriculture market in Brazil through expert interviews.

Content: Agribusiness policy and strategies, Sustainability in agribusiness, Disruptive innovation, Poverty and hunger, Brazilian orange juice strategy, Vegetable distribution strategies, Supermarket traceability, Women in agribusiness marketing, Big corporations' positioning, Media in Brazil, Bioenergy and biofuels, Agribusiness marketing and sales, Leadership and management, Social media governance, Taxes in Brazilian agrisector, Meat supply chain and sustainability, Data analytics, Food marketing in Brazil.

Master of Science (MSc)

Audencia Business School, Nantes, France

September 2015 to September 2016
Food and Agribusiness Management (Dual Degree)
Thesis: French wine marketing in the USA: developing a distribution strategy.
Achievement: Agreen Startup Contest Candidate, French Chambres of Agriculture, La Roche-sur-Yon, France.

Content: Marketing and food business, Operations management, Financial management, Human resources, Corporate social responsibility, Agribusiness strategy, Analytical tools, Value chain, Design and innovation, B2B and B2C.

Visiting Researcher BMBF Grant

Osnabrück University of Applied Science, Germany

2010 to 2011
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Major: Plant Nutrition
Thesis: Iodine biofortification of vegetable crops: examining the impact of various iodine forms and concentrations on vegetable growth and iodine uptake.

Tasks: Crop sorting and evaluation, Drying and grinding plant materials, Greenhouse trials, Alkaline fusion preparation, Iodine concentration analysis.

Master of Science (MSc)

Leibniz University Hannover, Germany

September 2009 to September 2011
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Major: Plant Nutrition
Thesis: Cell wall changes in rice leaves post-Silicon amendment, focusing on suberization and lignification.

Content: Research theories and methods, Biostatistics, Molecular biology, Plant physiology, Genetics and breeding, Plant molecular and cell biology, Plant nutrition.

Erasmus-Exchange Scholarship

Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom

September 2006 to September 2007
School of Biological Sciences, Major: Biology
Achievement: Cambridge University Certificate in Work Experience (Organic Farming).

Content: Field ecology, Biological data analysis, Molecular genetics applications.

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Bursa Uludag University, Türkiye

September 2004 to September 2009
Agriculture Engineering, Major: Field Crops
Thesis: Current state of Biotechnology.

Content: Botany, Zoology, Technical drawing, Plant physiology, Microbiology, Food technology, Field crops, Farm machinery, Soil science, Agricultural insurance, Horticulture, Genetics, Agricultural economics, Landscape design, Farm management, Plant propagation, Cereals, Tissue culture, Industrial plants, Crop pests, Forage crops, Starch and sugar crops, Legumes, Irrigation and drainage, Meteorology.

Secondary & High School Diploma

Lüleburgaz Anatolian High School, Türkiye

September 1996 to September 2003
Major: Science & Mathematics
Core Educational Programs taught in English.
Achievement: Anatolian High Schools admit students based on high nationwide TEOG scores.
Awards, Skills and Trainings

Academic Distinctions

  • 2020, European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT-Food) "BEST Business Ideas" Award and Innovator Fellowship for innovative approaches in sustainable fish feed production.
  • 2018, Horizon 2020 (ERA-MIN) Grant, Principal Investigator for "Zeolite in Wastewater Management," in collaboration with Fraunhofer, CNRS-IS2M, and other leading institutions. Scientific Excellence Score: 12/15.
  • 2018, TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) 2244 Grant, as Principal Investigator for "Phosphogypsum Waste Management" (Ankara University, 2,290,656 TL).
  • 2018, TÜBİTAK 2244 Grant for "Slow Release Nano-Fertilizer Synthesis and Characterization" (Mersin University, 2,290,656 TL).
  • 2015, Food for Thought MBA (Dual Degree) Scholarship in France and Brazil, with an academic transcript score of 14/15.
  • 2012, Marie Curie PhD Scholarship in France, with the PhD thesis evaluated as "Very Good."
  • 2006, Socrates Erasmus Scholarship in England, and recipient of the British Council Exclusive Professional Training Prize.

Honours

  • 2024: Welsh Alumni Networking Reception Invitation at the British Embassy, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2024, Jury Member, The Women's Academy for Rural Innovation in Crotia, organised by European Leadership Academy (HUAWEI’s EU Office)
  • 2024: Invitation to the "Farewell to Summer Party" at the Rahmi Koç Museum in Istanbul, hosted by Rahmi Koç, Türkiye’s most prominent and influential businessman, and organized by the British Chambers of Commerce.
  • 2024: Reception Invitation from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper at the Executive Mansion, Raleigh, USA.
  • 2023: Reception Invitation by the Turkish Consulate of Munich, Süalp Erdoğan, for Turkey’s Republic Day at Nymphenburg Palace, Germany.
  • 2022, Jury Member, Plant-Based Food Production R&D Competition, organised by Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ)
  • 2022: Queen's Platinum Jubilee Party Invitation by British Consul General Kenan Poleo at the British Consulate General, Istanbul.
  • 2022: UK-Alumni Reception Invitation by British Council Country Director Gill Caldicott at the British Ambassador's Residence, Ankara.
  • 2019: Bosphorus Summit Invitation in Istanbul, attended by international dignitaries, including former Presidents and Prime Ministers.
  • 2019: Signing Ceremony of Projects Invitation by Turkey's Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank and TÜBİTAK President Hasan Mandal.
  • 2013: Reception Invitation by the Turkish Consulate of Nantes, France, Nedime Yalçın for National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.

Languages

  • Turkish: Native
    Expert
  • English: Fluent (IELTS Score: 7.0)
    Advanced
  • French: Intermediate (TCF Score: B2)
    Good
  • German: Intermediate (Goethe-Zertifikat Score: B2)
    Good

Technical Trainings

  • 2020: Algal Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioeconomy, Partners: University of Cambridge Algal Innovation Centre (UK), Fraunhofer (Germany), Matís (Iceland)
  • 2019: Understanding Soil Functions, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
  • 2019: Plant Stress Physiology, Sabancı University, Istanbul
  • 2016: Natural Algae-Based Solutions, Olmix, Brehan, France
  • 2016: Chocolate Production & Marketing, Cacau Show, Brazil
  • 2016: Food Sensorial Analysis, Nespresso Expertise Centre, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • 2016: International Logistics, Santos Harbor Local Frio, Santos, Brazil
  • 2014: Industrial Pectin Production & Regulatory Affairs, CP Kelco, Lille Skensved, Denmark
  • 2014: Mass Spectrometry & Quality Management, INRA, Nantes, France
  • 2013: Recombinant Protein Cloning and Characterization, University of Newcastle, UK
  • 2013: Systems Biology-Oriented Bioinformatics, University of Potsdam, Germany
  • 2013: Plant Cell Walls Molecular Probes & Ethics, University of Leeds, UK
  • 2013: Plant Cell Wall Architecture & Commercial Exploitation, Bayer Crop Sciences, Ghent, Belgium

Information Technology

  • Enterprise Management: SAP ERP, Lotus
  • Bioinformatics. SPSS, R
  • Graphic Design: Canva
  • Design: AutoCAD
  • Collaborative Whiteboard: Miro
  • Design Prototyping: Figma
  • Scientific Illustrations: Biorender
  • Content Management: WordPress
  • Typing Speed: 54 WPM
  • Operating Systems: Windows, Mac

Lab-related Skills

  • Microscopy
  • Chromatography (IC, GC, AEC, HPSEC, HPLC)
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Molecular Biology Methods (DNA & RNA isolation, PCR, IEF/ SDS Pages, Ligation, Transformation etc.)
  • Spectrometry (ICP-OES)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

  • Albastawisi E, Kaya M, Fırat Ş, Kotan R. The efficacy of Pantoea agglomerans Strain RK-84 to control fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora on pear orchards. Submitted 2024 Aug.
  • Kaya M, Sousa AG, Crépeau MJ, Sørensen SO, Ralet MC. Characterization of citrus pectin samples extracted under different conditions: influence of acid type and pH of extraction. Ann Bot. 2014 Oct;114(6):1319-26. (Cited by 240; Journal`s Impact IF: 5.04)

Oral Presentations

  • 2021: AGRX & Holden Research, Oxnard, California, USA (Microalgae)
  • 2016: European ICT Research & Innovation Proposers' Day, Bratislava, Slovakia (Digital Agriculture in Brazil)
  • 2014: International Conference on Polysaccharides-Glycoscience, Prague, Czech Republic (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2014: Hydrocolloids Conference, Taipei, Taiwan (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2014: WallTraC Symposium, INRA Paris, France (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2014: Young Researchers BIA, Chambre de l'Agriculture, Nantes, France (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2012: Scientific Days of VENAM Doctoral School, Nantes, France (Citrus Pectin)

Invited Speaker

  • 2024, GIFT 3. Food Innovation Summit, Bogazici University, Turkey
  • 2021, MÜSİAD Vizyoner Star Talks - Money Talks Session, Istanbul http://tinyurl.com/59mb42tu

Invited Lecturer

  • 2023, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey (Sustainable Agriculture Perspectives)
  • 2023, Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Turkey (Design Thinking)
  • 2021-22, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (Summer Course on Food Science)
  • 2021, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey (Food Engineering Club TechTalks)

Poster Presentations

  • 2024: BioAgTech World Congress, Raleigh, North Carolina (BioControl)
  • 2023: World Biostimulants Congress, Milan, Italy (Microbial Fertilizers)
  • 2021: World Biostimulants Congress, Miami, USA (Microalgae-based Fertilizers)
  • 2013: Plants and People Conference, Potsdam, Germany (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2013: Gums & Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference, Wrexham, Wales (Citrus Pectin)
  • 2013: Cell Wall Meeting, Nantes, France (Citrus Pectin)

Agro-Media

Non-Scientific Trainings

  • 2021: Oral Communication Workshop, Naós Communication, Paris, France
  • 2019: Horizon2020 Project Writing Training, Tech Startup School, Ankara, Turkey
  • 2018: Kaizen Lean Manufacturing Training, Toros Agri, Turkey
  • 2018: Strategic Planning via Hoshin Kanri Training, Toros Agri, Turkey
  • 2013: Grant Proposal Writing Training, University of Newcastle, England
  • 2013: EU Project Management Training, University of Potsdam, Germany
  • 2009: Science, Leadership, and Responsibility Course, University of Hannover, Germany

Consulting

Editoral Experience

Interests

Startup Mentorships

Agro-Blogs (>10K Post Impressions)

Certificates

Social Responsibility

  • 2023, Agnes-Mackensen-Program Mentor, Technical University of Munich, Germany
    -Empowering women without academic backgrounds to become future leaders, scientists, and startup founders.
  • 2018, Child & Family Development Committee Director, Fenerbahçe Sports Club, Turkey.
    -'Books for Kids' Project promoted children's literacy through book donations.
  • 2017, Philanthropic Writer, Women’ s Shelter Foundation, Turkey.
    -My book ''Absolute Happiness'' (http://tinyurl.com/33djbnkw) has been sold in ten countries, and the income from its sales has been donated.
    -Achievement:: Certificate of Appreciation from Women’s Shelter Foundation.

Interviews

Business Events

  • 2024, The World Food Forum, FAO HQ, Rome
  • 2024, Sponsor, NewAG World Biostimulants Congress, Miami, USA
    2023, Sponsor, NewAG World Biostimulants Congress, Milan, Italy
    2023, Sponsor, New Ag International, Barcelona, Spain
    2021, Sponsor, NewAG World Biostimulants Congress, Miami, USA
  • 2024, Sponsor, BioAg World Congress, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
    2023, Sponsor, BioAg World Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 2023-24, Host, Weihenstephan Forum on the Future of Agricultural Policy, Technical University of Munich, Germany
    2023, Host, The World Needs New Proteins AgriScience Symposium, Technical University of Munich, Germany
  • 2021, Sponsor, Fruit Attraction Madrid, Spain
  • 2021-24, Sponsor, GrowTech Fair Antalya
    2019, Sponsor, National Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Conference, Antalya
    2018, Food and Agriculture Summit, Bloomberg TV, Istanbul
    2018, Medical and Aromatic Plant Workshop, Silivri, Turkey
  • 2022-23, Brand Week Istanbul
    2022, Türkiye Innovation Week Istanbul
    2022, The Management and Leadership Summit, University of Bogazici, Istanbul
    2019-20, Business Strategy Summit, Bogazici University, Istanbul
    2019, Leadership Summit, İstanbul University
  • 2021-24, Sabancı University Istanbul International Centre For Energy and Climate (IICEC) Conference
    2021, The FCEM (Women Global Business Leaders) World Congress, Istanbul
  • 2016, Agrishow Fair, Brazil
    2016, The Rungis International Market, Paris
    2011, Agritechnica Fair Hannover, Germany

Emotional Quotient (EQ)

  • Red Bull Wingfinder Profile:Focused on innovation, adaptability, and discipline, with strengths in confidence and achievement.
  • ENFJ (Protagonist) – excels in leadership and mentorship roles, fostering team growth and collaboration.
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