Tuğba Özdemir is a graduate student at the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences and the founder of Aryalis, an agricultural consulting company. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Genetic Engineering and later gained professional experience in the agricultural industry, including crop production management, seed production, integrated pest management, field trials, and international sales and marketing. In addition to running her own company, she currently works in international sales and marketing for an agricultural company, where she contributes to the promotion and commercialization of agricultural products in global markets.
Throughout her career, she has worked with diverse crop systems and contributed to field-based agricultural projects. Currently, her research focuses on onion breeding. She is preparing to defend her master’s thesis titled “Comparative Evaluation of Yield and Morphological Performance of Intermediate and Long-Day Onion (Allium cepa L.) Advanced Breeding Lines Under Different Ecological Conditions.”
Beyond her academic and professional work, Tuğba enjoys traveling, trekking, visiting different countries, and doing sports. She believes that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, eating well, and staying positive are important parts of both personal and professional success.
Özgür: What motivated you to pursue a master’s degree in plant breeding?
Tuğba: Like many people who choose this field, my interest in plants started when I was in high school. I was curious about what makes plants different from each other, even though they all carry genetic information through DNA. Later, I had the opportunity to study Agricultural Genetic Engineering at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, which was one of the well-established agricultural faculties in Türkiye.
During my undergraduate education, I became more interested in genetics, plant production, and breeding. Receiving institutional scholarship support also encouraged me to continue in this field and motivated me to take my academic path more seriously. Over time, this curiosity turned into a stronger professional interest, especially in plant breeding and crop improvement.
Özgür: What project are you currently working on?
Tuğba: Right now, I am involved in several different things at the same time. I am running my company, Aryalis, where we support farmers by informing them about agricultural opportunities, production strategies, and governmental support programs. At the same time, I am continuing my master’s thesis and contributing to international vegetable breeding programs by conducting field trials.
My current academic research focuses on onion breeding. I am evaluating yield and morphological performance of intermediate and long-day onion advanced breeding lines under different ecological conditions. This work allows me to combine field observations, plant breeding, and practical agricultural needs.
Özgür: How would you describe your life goal?
Tuğba: Honestly, I do not define my life around one big personal goal. I believe we are all part of a larger story, and instead of creating stress by constantly trying to reach certain targets, I try to focus on having a calm mindset, living a meaningful and happy life, and contributing to people around me.
For me, supporting local farmers, helping them access useful information, and making a positive contribution to agriculture are very important. At the same time, like everyone else, I also want to be successful in my career and continue improving myself.
Özgür: What does success mean to you?
Tuğba: It may sound a bit classic, but for me, success means knowing that I am doing my best for myself and for the people around me. I do not like to restrict myself to one single path or one single motto. I enjoy doing different things at the same time, such as pursuing my master’s degree, running my company, and working in the agricultural industry.
I think success is not only about titles or positions. It is also about staying motivated, being useful, keeping balance in life, and never stopping personal development. And of course, never skipping the gym!
Özgür: Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
Tuğba: I believe I can work well in both ways, so it is not easy for me to choose one over the other. It also depends on the people I am working with and the nature of the project.
In some situations, independent work helps me focus and take responsibility. In other cases, teamwork creates stronger ideas and better outcomes. Being part of this event and having this conversation with you also feels really meaningful to me. I believe that with your future goals and motivation, we may have the chance to work together one day and do great things.
Özgür: What motivated you to establish Aryalis?
Tuğba: I believe one of the most important skills in agriculture is using resources efficiently. In agriculture, there are many resources, opportunities, and support mechanisms, but farmers do not always know how to access them or how to use them effectively.
I saw an important gap in this area. That is why I established Aryalis: to help farmers find the most suitable solutions for their businesses, improve their production strategies, and benefit from governmental agricultural support programs. My goal is to create a bridge between available opportunities and the farmers who need them.
Özgür: What are your future plans? Do you see yourself more in academia or industry?
Tuğba: I am not completely sure yet. Why not both? I know that may sound challenging to some people, but I hope to continue working in both academia and industry.
Academia allows me to ask research questions and contribute to scientific knowledge, while industry allows me to see the direct impact of that knowledge in the field. I think combining both sides can make my work more meaningful and practical.
Özgür: Who is Tuğba beyond academia and professional life?
Tuğba: Tuğba is an energetic, ambitious, and passionate person with an attractive energy that people can easily feel. Sometimes even I find it difficult to keep up with my own motivation and excitement! My friends often say that I have a unique vibe and that my positivity, dedication, and enthusiasm make people feel inspired around me.
Beyond my academic and professional identity, I enjoy traveling, discovering new places, trekking, doing sports, and spending time on things that make me feel alive. I believe that being positive, active, and open to new experiences is an important part of who I am.
Özgür: Thank you so much for your time. It was a real pleasure to talk with you and hear your insights.
Tuğba: Thank you very much. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I would be happy to continue it in person in the future.