Consumer Advisory Group
Meet the people living with allergies who help shape our research
The NACE Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) was appointed in mid-2023 to help make allergy research more relevant, inclusive and effective in addressing patient needs and improving healthcare outcomes.
The Group – including 10 representatives from rural, urban, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds – provides a unique voice to influence the conception, design and implementation of allergy research in Australia.
The members will also be important advocates for the translation of research findings that will lead to changes and improvements in policy and allergy service delivery.
Read more about the appointment of the CAG and the NACE Allergy Research Pillar Lead, Professor Kirsten Perrett.
Want to get involved? Join the NACE Consumer Engagement Register
Co-chair Kylie Gwynne
From: New South Wales
Profession: Academic
“My son and I both have anaphylaxis, eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis. My son also has mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). The NACE Consumer Advisory Group will help inform research so that the issues that matter most to people with allergies are being investigated.”
Co-chair Lisa Gamble
From: South Australia
Profession: Lawyer and consultant
“I have respiratory and drug allergies and I’m undertaking immunotherapy to improve my allergic rhinitis. My son and husband also have multiple allergies so our family is impacted daily by these diseases – I have many lived experiences I can share to help inform allergy research.”
Janelle Williams
From: New South Wales
Profession: Advertising and marketing consultant
“I am allergic to tick bites and was diagnosed with Mammalian Meat Allergy (MMA) in a life-threatening anaphylaxis episode. My daughter was also diagnosed with MMA. Professor Sheryl Van Nunen and I co-founded tiara.org.au to support research and raise awareness about MMA and Tick allergies. My primary focus is educating people to avoid tick bites and the safe removal.”
Eleanor Jenkin
From: Victoria
Profession: Senior policy consultant.
“My daughter has milk, egg and peanut allergies. We have experienced anaphylaxis at home and in a hospital setting following food challenges. I am eager to see the quality of life improve for people living with allergies. I want people like my daughter to have more options for living safely in the future, and for fewer kids to go through what she has experienced.”
Dr Wendy Lo
From: Western Australia
Profession: School operations officer
“Growing up with eczema and multiple allergies, I was heartbroken to discover that my children will also experience similar challenges. As a family, we live with allergies to a range of allergens, including nuts, oats, dust and dogs. The most difficult adjustment was learning to use the EpiPen for my son's nut allergy. We have participated in allergy research trials in WA, hoping to improve the lives of people living with allergies.”
Dr Andrew Fong
From: New South Wales
Profession: Paediatric registrar
“I have lifelong experience with allergy, including multiple severe food allergies and episodes of anaphylaxis, eczema, asthma and hay fever. I’m a published allergy researcher and current PhD candidate. This Group will have a positive impact on people’s lives because consumers will be more involved in the conception, design and implementation of allergy research from the start.”
Phillippa (Pipp) Hamilton
From: Western Australia
Profession: Paramedic and student
“My child has multiple allergies, including egg, nuts (peanut and tree nuts) and animal dander. I am an experienced paramedic and have attended to many patients experiencing allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. I will finish a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2023 and have developed an interest in research as a way of having a real impact on many people.”
Debbie Sevels
From: Victoria
Profession: Clinical trials project manager
“My daughter is allergic to egg and nuts. We have participated in two Murdoch Children’s Research Institute allergy trials for peanut and egg and achieved sustained unresponsiveness on both trials. This has changed our lives for the better. All of our family members have food allergies, while eczema and asthma are prevalent, too.”
Candace Guile
From: Western Australia
Profession: Practice manager
“My eldest daughter is anaphylactic to dairy, eggs and peanuts and has heat and exercise induced anaphylaxis, while my youngest daughter is allergic to Australian grasses and dust mites. As regional patients we have experienced the best and worst of allergy-related healthcare. I hope the NACE Consumer Advisory Group can contribute to shaping a better future for my daughters and others living with allergic disease.”
Micaela Diaz
From: Queensland
Profession: Lawyer
“I am a lifelong allergy sufferer. I have anaphylaxis level food and respiratory allergies, as well as chronic eczema and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). I have been heavily involved in the allergy community for many years. I hope this Group will help accelerate allergy research and education to help people navigate their allergies through the different stages of life.”
Proudly in partnership with the National Allergy Council and allergy organisations
