Professor Dr. Ayşe Baysal was born in 1930 in Uğurlu Village, part of the Ermenek district of Konya, which is now within the administrative boundaries of Karaman Province. Her family encouraged her to pursue an education. In line with this, Ayşe Baysal was sent to İvriz Village Institute. She graduated from İvriz Village Institute in 1950. In 1954, she completed her studies at the Ankara Girls’ Technical Higher Teacher Training School (known today as the Faculty of Vocational Education). She began her teaching career at Beşikdüzü Girls’ School in Trabzon.

Academic Career and Overseas Education

In 1957, Ayşe Baysal joined the Home Economics Organization established by the Ministry of Agriculture, where she worked at the Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture during her tenure. From 1958 to 1960, she taught at the İzmir Home Economics Training Center. In 1960, she won a scholarship from the American Home Economics Association and traveled to the United States. She completed one year of undergraduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and received her bachelor’s degree in 1961. In 1962, she completed a postgraduate diploma in food and nutrition. In 1965, she earned her doctorate in nutrition and food science at the University of Wisconsin and returned to Türkiye.

Return to Türkiye and Academic Activities

After returning to Türkiye, she worked briefly at the General Directorate of Public Education under the Ministry of Village Affairs. At the end of 1965, she began her role as a nutrition expert at the Ministry of Health’s Hıfzısıhha School. During the same period, she taught at Hacettepe University’s School of Nursing and Nursing College. In 1968, she was appointed as the head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Hacettepe University. She became an associate professor in 1970 and a full professor in 1976. She continued her academic career at Hacettepe University until 1997 and maintained her professional activities after retirement.

Scientific Contributions and Publications

She conducted research on Turkish cuisine and traditional dietary habits. Her book titled “Beslenme” is used in the literature of nutrition science in Türkiye. Her research in nutrition and dietetics contributed to the development of national nutrition policies. She supported students and academics in the field.

The Role and Contributions of Women in Science

She advocated for women’s access to education through Village Institutes. By obtaining international education and conducting scientific research in Türkiye, she supported the participation of women in scientific endeavors.

Beslenme Eğitimi ve Araştırma Vakfı (BESVAK) and Contributions to Public Health

In 2003, Professor Dr. Ayşe Baysal founded the Nutrition Education and Research Foundation (BESVAK). The foundation provides scholarships and educational support to students in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Additionally, through collaboration with various public institutions and international organizations, it contributed to the development of nutrition policies.

Later Years and Death

After retiring in 1997, Ayşe Baysal continued her work in the field of nutritional science. She passed away on 13 August 2016.