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Dr.Merve Kaya

Dr.Merve Kaya

Future-Driven Food & AgriTech Transformation

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85354 MunichGermany
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).

PostDoc, Agri-Food Entrepreneurship (Innovator Fellowship)

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.

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.

Coursework: Marketing & Food Business, Operations & Financial Management, HR Management, Value Chain & Innovation, B2B & B2C Strategies.

Visiting Researcher, Plant Nutrition (BMBF Grant)

Osnabrück University of Applied Science, Germany

2010 to 2011
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.

Coursework: Research Theories & Methods, Biostatistics & Molecular Biology, Plant Physiology & Genetics, Plant Molecular & Cell Biology.

Visiting Student, Biology (Erasmus-Exchange Scholarship)

Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom

September 2006 to September 2007
• Achievement: Earned the Cambridge University Certificate in Work Experience (Organic Farming).

Coursework: Field Ecology, Biological Data Analysis, Molecular Genetics Applications.

BSc in Agriculture Engineering

Bursa Uludag University, Turkey

September 2004 to September 2009
Coursework: Botany & Plant Physiology, Soil Science & Irrigation, Genetics & Plant Propagation, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Tissue Culture & Biotechnology.

College in Science & Mathematics

Lüleburgaz Anatolian High School, Turkey

September 1996 to September 2003
•Achievement: Gained admission to Anatolian High School based on high performance in the nationwide TEOG entrance exam.
Work Experience
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 addressing global food security.
  • 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: Invited to Science Day at the Turkish Embassy in Berlin for contributions as a scientist in Germany.
  • 2024: Attended Welsh Alumni Networking at the British Embassy, Berlin, for international collaboration contributions.
  • 2024: Invited by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to the Executive Mansion for leadership in global agribusiness.
  • 2023-24: Invited to the 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: Attended Queen's Platinum Jubilee Party at the British Consulate, Istanbul, for contributions as a UK-Alumni.
  • 2022: Invited to UK-Alumni Reception at the British Ambassador's Residence, Ankara.
  • 2022: Invited to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Party at the British Consulate General, Istanbul, as a UK-Alumni.
  • 2019: Invited to the Signing Ceremony of Projects by Turkey’s Industry and Technology Minister and TÜBİTAK President for contributions to the 2244 Projects, advancing research and development in Turkey.
  • 2015: Invited to a reception by Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland in honor of Foreign Researchers.

Languages

  • Turkish: Native
    Expert
  • English: Fluent (IELTS 7.0, 2021)
    Advanced
  • German: Intermediate (Goethe Zertifikat B2, 2024)
    Good
  • French: Intermediate (TCF B2, 2017)
    Good

Lab-Related Skills

  • Chromatography: IC, GC, AEC, HPSEC, HPLC
  • Microscopy & Molecular Biology: DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, ligation, transformation
  • Spectrometry/Spectrophotometry: ICP-OES

IT Skills

  • Data Analysis & Statistics: SPSS, R
  • Project Management: SAP, Miro
  • Design & Visualization: AutoCAD, Canva, Biorender, Figma

Technical Trainings

  • 2020: Algal Biotechnology for Sustainable Bioeconomy – University of Cambridge Algal Innovation Centre (UK), Fraunhofer (Germany), Matís (Iceland)
  • 2019: Understanding Soil Functions – Wageningen University, The Netherlands
  • 2019: Plant Stress Physiology (Prof. İsmail Çakmak) – 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
  • 2013: Recombinant Protein Cloning and Characterization – University of Newcastle, UK
  • 2013: EU Project Management Training – University of Potsdam, Germany
  • 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

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. Journal of Plant Pathology. 2024.
  • 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; Journal Impact Factor: 5.04)

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: GIFT Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Policy Research Center – 3rd 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

Agro-Media

Consulting

Editoral Experience

  • 2021, Reviewer, Academy of International Business (AIB), USA
  • 2019, Reviewer, International Journal of Chemistry, Canada
Interests

Startup Mentorships

  • 2021, Global Startup Mentorship Program Member, Teknopark Istanbul
    http://tinyurl.com/3uan648c
  • 2022, Mentor, AKAGİM Women Entrepreneurship Center, Istanbul

Agro-Blogs (>10K Post Impressions)

Certificates

  • LınkedIn, Artificial Intelligence for Business Leaders
  • LınkedIn, Leading with a Digital Mindset in the Age of AI
  • LınkedIn, Using AI in Research Projects

Agribusiness 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
  • 2016, Agrishow Fair, Brazil
    2016, The Rungis International Market, Paris
    2011, Agritechnica Fair Hannover, Germany

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.
    -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.

Interviews

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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