Student Executive Board & Club Advisors

2023-2024 Officers

President: Merin George

Vice President: Manasi Jain

Secretary: Madison Langton

Treasurer: Emily McCafferty

Public Relations Chair: Shayla Swanson

Co-Membership Chair: Victoria Smith

Club Advisors: Food Service Director of Mercer Dining Services, Mr. Jarvis Napier and Executive Chef, Mr. Jimmy Brown

2022-2023 Officers

President: Merin George

Secretary: Madison Langton

Treasurer: Nicholas White

Communications Chair: Manasi Jain

Co-Membership Chairs: Miracle Baker & Kaya Williams

Club Advisors: Food Service Director of Mercer Dining Services, Mr. Jarvis Napier and Executive Chef, Mr. Jimmy Brown

2021- 2022 Officers

President: Merin George

Vice-President: Oneeka Kohli

Secretary: Morgan Maddox

Treasurer: Tommy Patrick

Club Advisors: Food Service Director of Mercer Dining Services, Mr. Jarvis Napier and Executive Chef, Mr. Jimmy Brown

2017-2020 Officers

President: Merin George

Vice President: Ann-Marie Abunyewa

Secretary: Derin Aladesanmi

Treasurer: Reau Autera

Club Advisors: Healthcare Science Teacher at Wheeler High School, Ms. Diane Phillips and Culinary Arts Teacher at Wheeler High School, Ms. Kelli Finney

Email Us: info@foodallergyadvocate.org or mercerallergyawarenessclub@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @mu.maac and @wheelerfaac

Potential drivers of chronic allergic inflammation April 30, 2024
A research team embarked on a quest to understand the diversity and cellular mechanisms of human Th2 cells. By conducting gene expression analyses of inflamed tissues, they pinpointed a subset of Th2 cells called Th2-MPP cells. Their findings suggested that these cells might serve as precursors to several crucial Th2 cell populations responsible for disease […]
Respiratory allergies: Newly discovered molecule plays a major role in triggering inflammation April 10, 2024
One of the molecules responsible for triggering the inflammation that causes allergic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, has just been discovered. This molecule, from the alarmin family, represents a therapeutic target of major interest for the treatment of allergic diseases.
Gut bacteria important for overcoming milk allergy March 14, 2024
Researchers have discovered a link between gut bacteria and the success of milk-allergy oral immunotherapy. The study found that Bifidobacterium -- a genus of beneficial bacteria in the gut -- was associated with a higher chance of successful treatment. The finding may help in the development of more effective oral immunotherapies, perhaps by combining them […]
It's in the blood: Donor diets can trigger allergic reactions in blood recipients, study finds March 13, 2024
Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), a potentially life-threatening side effect of blood transfusions with unclear mechanisms, may be linked to food allergies in pediatric patients as per a recent study by scientists from Japan. They found that ATRs may be triggered by the presence of allergens in the donor's blood, influenced by their pre-donation diet. These […]
Lockdowns had an impact on gut microbes and allergies in newborns, new research reveals February 29, 2024
Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods according to new research. Our gut microbiome, an ecosystem of microbes that live in our digestive tract, plays an essential role in human health. The study reveals significant differences in the microbiome development of babies […]
A safer treatment path for high-risk children to overcome food allergies February 28, 2024
New research reveals a safe path to overcoming food allergies for older children and others who can't risk consuming allergens orally to build up their resistance. It's called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and it involves placing smaller amounts of food allergens under the tongue. A study has found SLIT to be as safe and effective for […]
Drug limits dangerous reactions to allergy-triggering foods, Stanford Medicine-led study of kids finds February 26, 2024
A drug that binds to allergy-causing antibodies can protect children from dangerous reactions to accidentally eating allergy-triggering foods, a new study found.
Researchers discover new cell that remembers allergies February 8, 2024
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: a new cell that remembers allergies.
'Exhalation' system improves symptoms for most common form of chronic sinus infections January 18, 2024
An exhalation delivery system that uses a patient's own breath to carry the anti-inflammatory compound fluticasone (EDS-FLU) directly to the sinuses reduced chronic sinus infection (sinusitis) symptoms and decreased aggravations and infections associated with chronic inflammation of the sinus by more than 50 percent, researchers reported.
Producing tears in a dish: Researchers develop first model of human conjunctiva January 11, 2024
Scientists have produced an organoid model of the human conjunctiva. These organoids mimic the function of the actual human conjunctiva, a tissue involved in tear production. Using their new model, the researchers discovered a new cell type in this tissue: tuft cells. The tuft cells become more abundant under allergy-like conditions and are therefore likely […]