Before stepping into his current role, Isik was involved in developing high-impact carbon projects in the private sector. His expertise in carbon offset certification, GHG quantification and landscape restoration helped him play a role in the transition to sustainable practices within the agro-food industry. With a PhD in Plant Physiology from Aarhus University, Isik has a strong academic foundation that underpins his practical work. During his time in academia, he was involved in international research projects on the effects of climate change on agriculture. His contributions to the field have been published and he worked on developing strategies for climate-smart agriculture in various countries in south-east Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.