Career Highlights: • Led a €100M grant application for the Werner Siemens Foundation's "Vertical Farming" project at the Technical University of Munich, overseeing a €1M research budget and coordinating efforts with 27 Principal Investigators (PIs). • Expanded market presence in Brazil by securing a distribution agreement with Biotrop, the country's largest distributor, for a Turkey-based ''Microbial Fertilizer'' company, resulting in double-digit revenue growth. • Managed portfolio and launched nearly 10 ''Microalgae-based Biostimulants'' across Europe, Asia, and America through the Stage-Gate process for leading Spanish biotechnology company AlgaEnergy. • Directed R&D for Turkey's largest fertilizer producer, Tekfen/TorosAgri, successfully securing over €1M in TÜBİTAK grants to advance "Phosphogypsum Waste Management" and "NanoFertilizer" initiatives.
Education
PhD in Biochemistry (Marie Curie Fellowship)
University of Nantes, Nantes, France
February 2012
to February 2015
Thesis: Structure of citrus pectin, focusing on how extraction conditions affect its structural variations and the characterization of its building blocks. • Achievement: European PhD Certificate Evaluation: "très bon" (very good).
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT-Food), Belgium
June 2020
to June 2021
Program Highlights: Business Modeling (Forward Fooding, England), New Business Financial Models (Nagima Business Consulting, Italy), Network Effects & 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).
MBA, Food & Agribusiness Management (Food for Thought Fellowship)
Escola Superior De Propaganda E Marketing (ESPM), São Paulo, Brazil
September 2015
to September 2016
Coursework: Bioenergy, Supermarket Traceability, Agri-Sector Taxation, Brazilian Orange Juice Strategy, Disruptive Innovation-Trends, Poverty & Hunger War, Meat Supply Chain & Sustainability of Animal Protein, Vegetables-Distribution Centers Strategies.
MSc, Food & Agribusiness Management (Dual Degree)
Audencia Business School, Nantes, France
September 2015
to September 2016
Thesis: French wine market research in the USA, focusing on market trends, consumer behavior, and logistics. • Achievement: Finalist in the Agreen Startup Contest, organized by the French Chambres of Agriculture.
Thesis: Iodine (I) biofortification of vegetables, examining the impact of iodine forms and concentrations on plant growth and nutrient uptake.
Responsibilities: Conducted evaluations of crop sorting, drying, and grinding of plant materials; led greenhouse trials to test the effects of iodine on plant growth; performed alkaline fusion preparation and iodine concentration analysis.
MSc in Plant Nutrition (DAAD Fellowship)
Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
September 2009
to September 2011
Thesis: Structural changes in rice leaves with Silicon (Si) amendment, focusing on suberization and lignification to enhance understanding of plant resilience and growth.
•Achievement: Gained admission to Anatolian High School based on high performance in the nationwide TEOG entrance exam.
Work Experience
Global Business Development Advisor
Supersol
Since April 2024
Consultant
Munich
Germany
Advised Supersol, a leading agrochemical firm, on international expansion strategies for its plant protection and nutrition products, including biofertilizers and microbials. https://supersol.com.tr/
Key Contributions: Successfully negotiated and secured a major distribution contract in Brazil, significantly enhancing the company's market presence in South America. (https://www.biotrop.com.br/)
Reporting to: CEO
Skills: Agrochemicals, International Business Development, Contract Negotiation
Science Manager (Werner Siemens Grant)
Technical University of Munich
January 2023
to April 2024
Full-time
Germany
Led the "Revolution of Food Production" project within the Chair of Digital Agriculture, focusing on transforming vertical farming systems to enhance wheat crop yields while minimizing resource use in controlled environments. https://tinyurl.com/2pcsyrnx
Key Contributions: • Coordinated grant proposal collaboration across 27 Principal Investigators. • Organized and executed research events for 50 participants. • Spearheaded grant proposal development and managed a €1M research budget. • Led external communications, outsourcing journalists, editors, and translators to ensure clear project messaging.
Reporting to: Director of HEF (Top 1% Highly Cited Researcher by Web of Science)
Skills: Grant Writing , Grant Coordination, Vertical Farming, SAP ERP
Corporate Spokesperson
CEON Global
January 2022
to December 2022
Consultant
Istanbul
Turkey
Led corporate communications for CEON Global, a multinational fertilizer manufacturing firm, positioning the company as a global leader in sustainable agriculture solutions. https://ceon.com.tr/
Key Contributions: Served as the primary spokesperson, engaging with international media outlets and industry conferences to promote the company’s innovative fertilizer products.
Reporting to: CEO
Skills: Corporate Communications, Media Relations
Global Business Development Manager & Portfolio Chair
AlgaEnergy
February 2020
to January 2022
Temporary Replacement
İstanbul & Eugene
United States - Oregon
Led global business development initiatives for AlgaEnergy, a biotechnology firm focused on microalgae-based biostimulants, ensuring market penetration and growth across key regions. http://www.algaenergy.es
Key Contributions: • Spearheaded the development and implementation of marketing materials. • Directed product registration processes for multiple markets. • Engaged with key stakeholders and potential clients to drive business growth. • Prioritized and launched 10 new product concepts through the Stage-Gate Process.
Reporting to: President
Skills: Portfolio Management, Product Marketing, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Biostimulants, Field Trials
Research & Development Chief (TUBITAK Grant)
Tekfen Holding, Toros Agri R&D Center
March 2018
to February 2020
Full-time
Mersin
Turkey
Led R&D efforts for Tekfen Holding, Turkey’s largest fertilizer producer, driving innovation in product development and quality assurance across AN, CAN, DAP, and NPK fertilizers. https://www.toros.com.tr/
Key Contributions: • Directed quality control processes, including sieve analysis, viscosity testing, anti-caking tests, and micro/macro element assessments. • Managed a team of 10 post-graduate researchers. • Spearheaded the construction of a 500 m² R&D Greenhouse, significantly increasing research capacity. • Quality Management training included Hoshin Kanri Strategic Planning and Kaizen Lean Manufacturing.
Reporting to: Vice President of Research
Skills: Quality Assurance, Research and Development, Kaizen
Global Market Research Leader (Food for Thought MBA Scholarship)
Weenat
March 2017
to March 2018
Cooperative Education Work
Nantes
France
Supported Weenat, a French startup specializing in precision agriculture through innovative soil management sensors, by driving marketing efforts in international markets, particularly Brazil. https://www.weenat.com/
Reporting to: CEO
Skills: Precision Agriculture, Market Research
Research Scientist (Marie Curie PhD Fellowship)
French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA)
December 2012
to December 2016
Full-time
Nantes
France
At INRA, Europe's top agricultural research institute, characterization of pectic samples were studied to understand their composition and macromolecular properties. http://www.inra.fr/en/
Key collaborating institutions: Newcastle University and the University of Leeds (UK), University of Lisbon (Portugal), University of Potsdam and Max Planck Institute (Germany) and Bayer (Belgium).
Reporting to: Deputy Manager
Skills: Polysaccharides, Statistical Data Analysis
Visiting Research Scientist
CP Kelco R&D Center
April 2012
to September 2012
Temporary Replacement
Copenhagen
Denmark
At CP Kelco, a leading producer of hydrocolloids, functional tests on pectin samples were cconducted to evaluate their gelling and stabilizing properties for commercial applications. https://www.cpkelco.com/
Reporting to: Innovation Manager
Skills: Hydrocolloids
Awards, Skills and Trainings
Academic Distinctions
2020: Awarded the "BEST Business Ideas" by EIT-Food for developing sustainable fish feed solutions.
2018: Secured the Horizon 2020 (ERA-MIN) Grant for the Zeolite in Wastewater Management project, achieving a Scientific Excellence Score of 12/15. Partners: Fraunhofer (Germany), CNRS-IS2M (France), CSIC-ITQ (Spain), DBI-GUT GmbH (Germany), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) etc.
2018: Received the TÜBİTAK 2244 Grant (2,290,656 TL) for the Phosphogypsum Waste Management project at Ankara University.
2018: Awarded another TÜBİTAK 2244 Grant (2,290,656 TL) for the Slow Release Nano-Fertilizer project at Mersin University.
2006-15: Awarded several prestigious fellowships, including Marie Curie, DAAD, Erasmus, Innovator, and Food for Thought etc.
Recognitions
2024: Participant nominated by a National Focal Point, COP29, Azerbaijan
2024: Invited to Welsh Alumni Networking at the British Embassy, Berlin.
2024: Invited by North Carolina US Governor Roy Cooper to the Executive Mansion.
2023 & 24: Invited to Republic Day Reception at Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, by the Turkish Consulate.
2022: Served as Jury Member for the Plant-Based Food R&D Competition at Middle East Technical University.
2022: Invited to Queen's Platinum Jubilee Party at the British Consulate, Istanbul.
2022 & 24: Invited to UK-Alumni Reception at the British Ambassador's Residence, Ankara.
2019: Invited to the Signing Ceremony of Projects by Turkey’s Industry and Technology Minister and TÜBİTAK President.
2014 & 15: Invited to a reception by Nantes, France Mayor Johanna Rolland in honor of Foreign Researchers.
Albastawisi EM, Kaya M, Fırat Ş, Kotan R. Efficacy of Pantoea agglomerans strain RK-84 in controlling fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora in pear orchards. J Plant Pathol 2024 Dec; https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-024-01809-7 (Impact Factor: 2.6)
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. Annals of Botany. 2014 Oct;114(6):1319-26. (Cited by 240; Impact Factor: 4.1)
Poster Presentations
2024: Kaya M... Kotan R. BioAgTech World Congress, Raleigh, North Carolina – The Efficacy of Pantoea agglomerans Strain RK-84 in Controlling Fire Blight Caused by Erwinia amylovora on Pear Orchards
2023: Kaya M... Bilgili U. World Biostimulants Congress, Milan, Italy – Enhancing Silage Corn (Zea mays L.) Yield with Microbial Biostimulants
2021: Kaya M... Öner N. World Biostimulants Congress, Miami, USA – Microalgae Increase Nutrient Uptake from the Soil
2013: Kaya M... Ralet MC. Plants and People Conference, Potsdam, Germany – Structure of Citrus Pectin
2013: Kaya M... Ralet MC. Gums & Stabilisers for the Food Industry Conference, Wrexham, Wales – Pectin Disassembly under Mild Acidic Conditions
Oral Presentations
2021: AGRX & Holden Research, Oxnard, California, USA – Microalgae based Biostimulants
2016: European ICT Research & Innovation Proposers' Day, Bratislava, Slovakia – Digital Agriculture in Brazil
2014: International Conference on Polysaccharides-Glycoscience, Prague, Czech Republic – Structure of Citrus Pectin
2014: Hydrocolloids Conference, Taipei, Taiwan – Structure of Citrus Pectin
2014: Young Researchers BIA, Chambre de l'Agriculture, Nantes, France – Structure of Citrus Pectin
Invited Speaker
2024: Panelist, EU Tech Chamber: Chemical & Pharmaceutical Council Webinar – Green Infrastructure Strategies to Future-Proof Chemical Facilities
2024: Panelist, GIFT Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Policy Research Center – 3rd Food Innovation Summit, Bogazici University, Turkey
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
2016, Agrishow Fair, Brazil 2016, The Rungis International Market, Paris 2011, Agritechnica Fair Hannover, Germany
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. -Authored "Absolute Happiness" (http://tinyurl.com/33djbnkw) sold in ten countries, with proceeds donated to the foundation. -Achievement: Received Certificate of Appreciation from the Women’s Shelter Foundation.
Red Bull Wingfinder: Highlights strengths in openness, innovation, adaptability, learning balance, discipline, confidence, and achievement.
Personality Type: ENFJ (Protagonist) – Skilled in leadership and team collaboration.
Predictor of Potential™ (POP7™): Strengths in sociability, systematic thinking, stress management, team leadership, collaboration, commitment, and training abilities.
Core Values: Primary: Innovation – Emphasizing wisdom in problem-solving. Secondary: Merchant – Focused on nurturing core values in self and others.