Merryn is an NHMRC Early Career Fellow. Her work with the SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme focuses on the influence of early life nutrition on long term health.

Merryn graduated from Flinders University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biochemistry, followed in 1987 with a post graduate Bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Merryn has worked as a clinical pediatric dietitian at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide since 1988. As well as all aspects of general paediatric nutrition, she specialises in working with families of children with food allergies. 

Merryn is a member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and was the inaugural Chairperson of the ASCIA Dietitians Subcommittee. In 2011 Merryn was awarded status as an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian by the Dietitians Association of Australia.

Merryn’s PhD program investigated nutritional strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of allergy, with a specific focus on egg allergy. Her main research interest is around early infant and toddler eating and long term effects on health, including development of allergy.