Zeki Kaya is Professor of Biological Sciences at Middle East Technical University-Ankara, where he has been since 1988. He is also currently serving as the Assistant Chairman of Natural Sciences Committee of Turkish National Commission for UNESCO. He received a PhD (1987) from Oregon State University, USA. Prof. Kaya did post-doctoral studies in SLU- Umeaa, The State University of New York, UC-Davis, and USDA-FS IFG-Placerville. He has received numerous awards e.g. NATO, Fulbright and UNESCO fellowships. Professor Kaya’s research program focuses on conservation biology and genetics, molecular evolution, and speciation. Professor Kaya has greatly contributed to the development of conservation programs on plant genetic resources and biodiversity in Turkey as researcher and consultant. He is involved in preparation of “the national plans and reports of Turkey” in relation to Biodiversity Conventions such as “Turkish National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (2001 and 2007)”. Professor Kaya has published numerous book chapters, technical reports, and over 75 journal articles and 145 oral presentations on plant genetics and genetic resources. He has carried out numerous research projects and directed 54 graduate students in conservation and plant genetics. He served as world natural heritage expert in the UNESCO-World Heritage Committee on behalf of Turkey for the period of 2013-2017. He has been serving as a vice president of Natural Sciences Committee in Turkish National Commission for UNESCO since 2014.