Based in Turkey, Armineh and Bilge will be the Co-Country Representatives of YPARD Turkey, while Raife will manage external relations as the Partnerships Focal Point. With background in nutrition and dietary sciences, the trio are passionate about focussing on these themes and promoting their intrinsic relation to agrifood systems. In 2025, they were selected as one of the winning teams for the EIT Food, Seeding the Future Foundation, and YPARD implemented Menu for Change Challenge, where they founded Greenovators and the “Eco Plate for Eco Planet” project, which focused on reducing food waste, improving sustainability in food service systems, and increasing student engagement in environmentally conscious food choices.
Armineh Rajabi is a dietitian and public health nutrition researcher with a strong interest in sustainable agri-food systems and youth-led change. She holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently completing her MSc in Nutrition and Food Sciences within the Department of Public Health, with research focused on nutrition behaviours, digital health, and food environments.
Her work sits at the intersection of public health nutrition, sustainable agri-food systems, agriculture, and digital health in nutrition, with a particular focus on how food systems can better support healthy diets, climate-smart practices, and vulnerable populations. During her academic journey, she has been involved in multiple research and international projects addressing topics such as nutrition misinformation, ultra-processed foods, sustainable university cafeterias, and food system equity.
Alongside her research, Armineh has actively contributed to international collaborations through organisations and platforms such as FAO, EFAD, and Tampere University, gaining experience in cross-cultural teamwork, science communication, and capacity building.
Through YPARD Turkey, she is motivated to empower young professionals, strengthen the link between agriculture and nutrition, and contribute to building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
Bilge Çolak is a Dietitian with an MSc degree in Public Health Nutrition, with a deep commitment to promoting planetary health. Driven by the conviction that individual health is inseparable from the health of our planet, she channels her expertise toward sustainable food systems to create impact-driven solutions for nutritional and environmental challenges.
Currently, Bilge is finalizing her research on the "Water Footprint" at Hacettepe University -a testament to her environmental advocacy. Her dedication to data-driven action is further reflected in her recent role as a Field Survey Manager for the nationwide 2024 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey and her work as a co-founder of Greenovators.
Stepping into the role of Co-Country Representative for YPARD Turkey, Bilge is excited to strengthen the bond between agriculture and nutrition. Together, they are passionate about bringing these two worlds into closer harmony. They envision a multidisciplinary chapter where nutrition is a natural and celebrated part of the agricultural dialogue.
By connecting the dots between what we grow and how we eat, Bilge looks forward to working towards a food system that nurtures both people and the planet.
Raife Kotzaoglan is a dietitian and public health nutrition specialist with a strong interest in sustainable food systems, agriculture–nutrition linkages, and evidence-based food policy. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition, where her academic work explores how food environments, knowledge, and behaviors shape long-term health outcomes.
Raife has actively contributed to projects promoting sustainable food systems and responsible consumption. She is also involved in research and knowledge dissemination related to olive oil, nutrition, and health, highlighting the role of traditional agricultural products in sustainable and healthy diets. Her academic research interests include sustainable diets, healthy ageing, nutrition-related misinformation, and food literacy, with recent publications addressing nutrition risk factors for non-communicable diseases and consumer understanding of processed foods. Through these topics, she aims to strengthen the bridge between agricultural production, food systems, and population health.
As a member of the YPARD Turkey Chapter team, Raife is passionate about empowering young professionals working across agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability. Her aspirations for YPARD Turkey include fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting youth-led innovation, and creating platforms that connect agriculture with nutrition, climate action, and public health.
