Our Team
At the Allergy Microbiome Foundation, we believe that better information leads to better outcomes. Our team is driven by a commitment to education, advocacy, and meaningful support for allergy patients and their families across Australia.
CHAIRWOMAN
Dr. Nina Markovic
Dr Nina Markovic Khaze, PhD is an Australian academic, journalist, researcher and social entrepreneur from Sydney, Australia.
She co-founded Allergy Microbiome Foundation with colleagues dedicated to advancing research and advocacy in Australia and globally.
She is a food allergy Mum to two children living with life-threatening food allergies. Nina has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and edited volumes. She is dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Australian families and individuals living with allergic diseases through education, research and advocacy.
SECRETARY
Gayle Sharratt
Gayle 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.
PUBLIC RELATIONS & MEDIA
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.
Helen is a nurse academic, and a PhD candidate. She is 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.
FOOD ALLERGY TRAVEL SUPPORT
Samantha Smith
With an extensive career in the airline industry focusing on international aviation, Samantha has developed strong expertise in global travel operations.
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 Allergy Microbiome Foundation.
FOOD ALLERGIES & NUTRITION
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 recognises the urgent need for policies that prioritise safety, accessibility, and inclusion for individuals and families affected by life-threatening allergies.
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.
FOOD ALLERGY EDUCATION
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.
RESEARCH FELLOW
Dr. Emina Obarcanin,
PharmD, PhD
Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Primary Care and Family Medicine at LKCMedicine. Dr. Obarcanin trained in pharmacy in Germany, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in the United States, and completed her PhD in Germany. She brings over 15 years of academic and clinical experience across Germany and Singapore, including appointments at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, the National University of Singapore, and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.
Her research centers on multidisciplinary care and the integration of digital health tools to optimise chronic disease management. With expertise spanning cancer, diabetes, and lifestyle-related conditions, she is an active member of the Singaporean, Australian, and American Societies of Lifestyle Medicine and continues to advance the integration of lifestyle medicine into chronic care.
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