Yagiz holds a PhD from Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia, in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. He has experience in plant genome engineering, RNA-regulatory mechanisms, plant secondary metabolites and phytohormones. He currently works on development and application of novel technologies to enhance wheat’s resistance to rust disease by utilizing CRISPR-based genome editing and gene stacking techniques. He is also interested in multiplex CRISPR applications in wheat to generate varieties with enhanced tolerance against biotic and abiotic stress factors, and improved end-user traits.