In this episode, our podcast host Dr Nina Markovic speaks with Dr Helen Evans-Howells, known as “Dr Helen Allergy”, a GP with a special interest in allergy and a deeply personal connection to the field.Dr Helen shares how her son’s food allergies inspired her to retrain in allergy medicine and ultimately establish her own private allergy practice. We discuss the realities of working within food allergy care, the challenges she encountered within the NHS, and the importance of building accessible, community-focused allergy support.The conversation explores Dr Helen’s work with organisations including Anaphylaxis UK and the Sadie Bristow Foundation, her large online allergy community, and her involvement with the international Food Allergy Support Team (FAST), where clinicians collaborate, exchange experience and discuss approaches to food allergy treatment.We also take a deeper look at oral immunotherapy (OIT) and why successful treatment involves far more than simply increasing a dose. Dr Helen discusses the psychological aspects of food allergy, shared decision-making with children and families, patient motivation, adherence, and the importance of considering quality of life alongside clinical outcomes.A thoughtful conversation about the evolving landscape of food allergy care and what truly patient-centred, best-practice management can look like.This podcast is for educational and general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual medical advice. Always discuss diagnosis and treatment decisions with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

In this episode of the Immunity Group Podcast, our host Nina speaks with Dr Elena Ferapontova, an allergist and immunologist with more than 20 years of clinical and academic experience.Together, they explore how allergy care differs across Australia and Russia, including common allergic conditions, birch pollen allergy and pollen-food allergy syndrome, access to specialists, food allergy diagnosis, and the developing role of oral immunotherapy.The conversation also examines the surprising overlap between parasitic infections and allergy-like symptoms, the scientific and cultural traditions surrounding mineral waters and health resorts, and emerging research into the gut microbiome and immune health.A fascinating international discussion about where medicine, environment, culture and the immune system intersect.Topics include:Parasites and allergy-like symptoms • Birch pollen allergy • Pollen-food allergy syndrome • Food allergy care • Oral immunotherapy • Mineral waters and health resorts • Gut microbiome researchThis podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.

What does the future of food allergy treatment look like, and how can international collaboration help improve access to evidence-based care?In this episode of the Immunity Group Australia Podcast, our host Nina Markovic speaks with Dr David Mass, a UK-based GP working within an Allergy Centre of Excellence and the first GP in the UK to be awarded an Extended Role in Allergy.Dr Mass shares his journey into allergy medicine and discusses the significant unmet need for allergy services across the UK. The conversation explores the development and implementation of oral immunotherapy, the importance of evidence-based clinical practice and the growing role that appropriately trained GPs may play in improving access to allergy care.Nina and Dr Mass also reflect on the value of international collaboration through the Food Allergy Support Team Congress, including the upcoming FAST Europe meeting and its potential to support the development of allergy treatment across Europe.The episode also examines how media, literature and public education influence allergy awareness, as well as the challenges faced by doctors entering this developing area of practice.Topics discussed include:• The development and implementation of oral immunotherapy• The unmet need for allergy care in the UK• Evidence-based approaches to food allergy treatment• The role of GPs in expanding access to allergy services• Lessons from the FAST Congress• The importance of FAST Europe• Media, literature and public understanding of allergy• Future directions and innovation in allergy treatment#Food allergy #Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) #AllergyCare #FoodAllergy #Education

In this powerful episode of the Immunity Group Australia Podcast, Nina speaks with Amanda R. DeSio Whitehouse, PhD, a licensed psychologist, food-allergy mother, speaker, podcast host, and author of the newly launched book From Fear to Freedom. A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy. Amanda shares a deeply personal and professional perspective on the emotional reality of living with food allergy, from anxiety, trauma and hypervigilance to the hope and complexity of allergy immunotherapy. Together, we explore why food allergy anxiety is not “irrational,” how families can process fear with compassion, why psychological support should sit alongside medical treatment, and what life can look like after treatment, maintenance and graduation. This is an essential conversation for parents, carers, clinicians and anyone seeking to understand the journey from survival mode to confidence, safety and freedom. Amanda's book is now available on Amazon Australia and other platforms.

In this episode of the Immunity Group Podcast, host Nina Markovic speaks with Tammy Pruscino, founder of MyMedPouch, food allergy advocate, and parent of children living with allergic conditions. Tammy shares how her family’s experience with asthma and food allergies inspired her transition from commercial litigation lawyer to start-up founder, creating a practical and stylish medical pouch designed to help families safely carry essential allergy medications.Together, they discuss the realities of raising children with food allergies, turning lived experience into innovation, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of advocacy and empowerment within the food allergy community. Tammy also shares valuable insights for parents hoping to bring their own ideas to life.✨ Special offer for listeners: Use code IMMUNITY20 for 20% OFF the first 10 orders at MyMedPouch.#FoodAllergy #FoodAllergyAwareness #AllergySupport #MyMedPouch #ImmunityGroupAustralia #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness

This podcast interview features Dr Douglas Jones, co-founder of the Food Allergy Support Team (FAST), reflecting on the organisation’s 10-year journey and the upcoming 9th Annual Congress. Founded in response to the need for greater education, training, and support in food allergy treatment, FAST has evolved from a clinical data registry into a globally recognised collaborative congress that brings together leading experts without industry sponsorship.Held on 12–13 June 2026 in Dallas, Texas, the Congress will feature presentations and panel discussions on specialized topics including oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Dr Jones discusses how FAST creates a unique environment where clinicians of all experience levels can learn from one another alongside dietitians and food allergy psychologists, encouraging open discussion and shared perspectives.The conversation also explores current advances in food allergy care, including remission pathways, best-practice approaches, gut health modulation, and microbiome interventions. For more information, visit https://fastoit.orgDisclaimer: This podcast is for non-medical educational purposes only. Subscribe now to the Immunity Group Podcast to be the first to hear about upcoming episodes.

In this insightful episode of the Immunity Group Australia Podcast, ImGA podcast host Nina Markovic, PhD speaks with allergist and published author Alice Hoyt, MD from Louisiana about her new book, Navigating Food Allergies: A Parent’s Guide to Care, Coverage, and Confidence, published in 2026 by Johns Hopkins University Press.Together, they discuss the realities families face when navigating food allergies and treatments such as oral immunotherapy, including anxiety, school, social situations and the importance of practical, informed support for parents and caregivers.A thoughtful and empowering conversation for families, healthcare professionals and the wider food allergy community.

In this episode, we’re joined by Prof. Carina Venter to explore the latest science behind food allergy prevention, the gut microbiome, maternal diet, and oral immunotherapy. From early feeding and probiotics to food aversion and the future of allergy care, Prof. Venter shares practical insights and groundbreaking research shaping how we understand allergies today.

Would you like to live forever? Only 20% of people say yes.Professor Miroslav Filipović - astrophysicist at Western Sydney University and one of the rare scientists to have observed Earth from above its atmosphere aboard NASA's SOFIA mission - reveals the invisible force quietly placing an expiry date on every human life: cosmic rays. His team also discovered a particle carrying more energy than a thousand trillion light bulbs, and a perfectly circular mystery object in space that had the world whispering "aliens."From the science of ageing to NASA's return to the Moon, the US-China space race, and Australia's hidden role in global astrophysics - this is where health meets the cosmos.Press play.

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2026, ImGA honours women in STEM.Iva Dumanjic, electrical engineer and industry leader, shares 25+ years of experience breaking barriers in STEM.Iva also discusses leading major projects at Telstra, including the Mobile Instant Connectivity Kit for remote construction sites, and shares her perspective on AI, innovation, and the lasting power of human creativity in a fast-changing world.A bold, honest conversation celebrating resilience, innovation, and shaping the future of engineering.