RAISING ALLERGY AWARENESS
AND SUPPORT
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a safer, more informed society by providing essential education, robust support, and funding for research to those affected by food allergies and microbiome health challenges. We strive to build an environment where individuals, families, and communities are well-equipped to manage allergies, with access to critical resources and life-saving information.
Our Initiatives
The Allergy Microbiome Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by food allergies through education, support, and research. By increasing awareness of allergy safety, especially in food service, advocating for accessible resources, and fostering groundbreaking research into allergy and microbiome health, we aim to create a world where everyone can live safely and confidently.
What We Want to Achieve:
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Raise Allergy Awareness: Equip communities with essential knowledge to prevent and manage allergic reactions safely and effectively.
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Foster Inclusive Support Networks: Build strong community support systems to uplift and empower individuals and families managing food allergies.
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Advocate for Accessible Allergy Resources: Champion equal access to life-saving allergy management tools for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Our Team
President
Dr Douglas Jones, MD
Dr. Jones is a board-certified allergist and immunologist specializing in food allergies and the microbiome. He founded Rocky Mountain Allergy, Asthma & Immunology in Utah and Immunity Group Australia in Sydney. He also led the Long COVID program at Tanner Clinic and treats both adults and children with compassionate care.
An award-winning physician, Dr. Jones is dedicated to raising awareness and advancing education worldwide through public speaking, nonprofit work, and social media. He co-founded the Global Food Initiative to improve food allergy treatments globally and serves as president of the Food Allergy Support Team, helping allergists adopt best practices. As director of the Allergy Microbiome Foundation, he furthers research in allergy prevention and treatment.
Chairwoman
Nina Markovic
Dr Nina Markovic Khaze, PhD is an Australian academic, journalist, researcher and social entrepreneur from Sydney, Australia. She co-founded Immunity Group Australia with Dr Douglas Jones MD from Utah where more than 70 Australian families moved since 2014 in order to access Dr Jones's life-changing OIT protocols. She also co-founded Australia's newest food allergy charity, Allergy Microbiome Foundation, with colleagues dedicated to advancing research and advocacy in the field of food allergies in Australia and globally. Nina has been a journalist and reporter (including in the field of food allergy reporting) for the Australian national broadcaster, SBS and a freelance journalist for more than 15 years. She finished Harvard University's certificate in Global Health and Media in 2024, as well as holding a PhD in political science from the Australian National University. She is a food allergy Mom, researcher and investor in programs dedicated to improving the wellbeing of families and individuals living with allergic diseases through education, research and advocacy.
Secretary
Gayle is currently studying enrolled nursing at TAFE and is a proud mum to two amazing boys, both of whom live with food allergies. Her personal experiences have given her a deep understanding of the mental load, fear, and challenges that come with managing allergies.
Gayle is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for safer environments for everyone affected by allergies, especially in schools. She is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and informed community.
Director and Public Relations
Lidija Damjanovic
Lidija brings over 15 years of global experience in strategic marketing, communications, and brand management, with a passion for engaging and empowering communities. In her role, Lidija leverages her expertise in omnichannel campaigns and customer-centric strategies to amplify the charity's mission and support families navigating the challenges of childhood allergies. Her background in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and transformative program leadership equips her to drive awareness and meaningful connections with stakeholders, fostering a supportive and informed community.
Research associate
Helen Falcus
Helen Falcus is a Registered Nurse with 20 years of clinical experience, specialising in postgraduate anaesthetics and recovery nursing. She holds a Master of Clinical Nursing and a Master of Research Practice.
Currently, Helen is a Lecturer, Unit Coordinator, and Academic at Edith Cowan University, where she teaches undergraduate clinical simulation. She previously served as the Course Coordinator for the Re-entry to Nursing Practice program.
Helen is now pursuing a PhD, focusing on the qualitative research of parents' lived experiences with children who have food anaphylaxis. Her other academic interests include patient advocacy, food allergies, anaphylaxis, and immunology.
Rebecca Barreau
Rebecca Barreau is a passionate advocate for allergy education, management, and treatment solutions. As the mother of a child with multiple food anaphylaxis, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, driven by lived experience and a commitment to improving outcomes for families affected by severe allergies.
Rebecca’s professional background spans roles as a Senior Taxation Accountant, Government Investigator, and Senior Leader specializing in large enterprise Risk Management. This extensive experience provides critical governance and assurance to the Allergy Microbiome Foundation, where she plays a key leadership role.
In addition to her allergy advocacy, Rebecca has served as an ambassador for both homeless and cervical cancer foundations, achieving significant fundraising milestones both in Australia and internationally. Her unique combination of personal passion and professional expertise strengthens the foundation’s ability to deliver on its mission of creating a safer, more informed future for those living with allergies.
Samantha Smith
With an extensive career in the airline industry focusing on international aviation, Samantha has developed strong expertise in global travel operations. She has also worked as an educator, both within the aviation sector and in teaching languages externally.
As a mum of two children with multiple food allergies, Samantha has spent years navigating the complexities of safe travel with dietary restrictions. Her first-hand experience has fuelled a passion for making air travel safer and more accessible for individuals with food allergies. Dedicated to supporting and empowering food allergy families, she shares practical strategies to help them travel with confidence.
Samantha is also deeply passionate about health, nutrition, and fitness, recognising their essential role in overall well-being - values that align closely with the mission of the Microbiome Foundation.
Susan Abbott
Susan Abbott is a passionate advocate for allergy awareness and education, bringing a wealth of firsthand understanding and experience in navigating the challenges of living with allergies. For the past 19 years, she has focused on the importance of good nutrition and diversifying the microbiome to support gut healing and improve her child’s overall health.
Through her personal journey, Susan has gained deep insight into both food and environmental allergies and recognizes the urgent need for policies that prioritize safety, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals and families affected by life-threatening allergies. She has witnessed the importance of promoting inclusion and acceptance of children with allergies in social settings to reduce isolation, prevent bullying, and support positive mental health outcomes - ultimately helping to ensure their well-being into adulthood.
Susan is committed to helping shift the narrative around allergy management - from one centered on avoidance to one rooted in inclusion and understanding. Her mission is to foster a more supportive and informed environment for all people living with allergies.
Jessica Tremayne
With over a decade of classroom experience and a Bachelor of Education (Hons), Jess Tremayne is a dedicated teacher, children’s book author, and proud allergy mum. Her journey as a parent to children with allergies ignited a deep passion for making schools safer and more inclusive for all students. She is the author of Ivy’s Allergies: A Story of Courage in the Classroom, a heartfelt children’s book designed to support young readers and educate communities about allergy awareness and inclusion. Through her writing and advocacy, she combines professional expertise with lived experience to raise awareness and drive meaningful change in allergy education.
Sara Fieschi, BSci (Hons), PhD, FNTP, RWP, CGP
Sara Fieschi is the Founder of Food Spirit Wellness and a passionate advocate for holistic health. With a Bachelor’s in Food Science & Nutrition (Hons), a PhD in Nutrition, and a Functional Nutritional Therapy diploma, she integrates science with mind-body-spirit healing through modalities like Biofield Alignment, Reiki, and Flower Essences.
Sara spent over 14 years as a lecturer and researcher at Deakin University, co-authoring numerous scientific papers. She now serves as an Assistant Instructor with the Nutritional Therapy Association of Australia and New Zealand.
Her work focuses on Functional Nutritional Therapy, gut health, nutritional blood chemistry, and energetic healing. Sara’s mission became deeply personal when her youngest child developed food allergies - fueling her commitment to empowering families navigating similar journeys.