Yagiz holds a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia. He is currently a Research Scientist at the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security at KAUST, where he leads research projects in genome engineering and crop improvement. His work focuses on developing and applying CRISPR-based genome editing and gene-stacking technologies to enhance wheat resistance to rust diseases and improve end-user traits. His broader research expertise includes RNA regulatory mechanisms, plant secondary metabolism, and phytohormones. He is also interested in developing multiplex genome-engineering strategies to improve crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses while maintaining or enhancing agronomic performance and end-use quality.