Coeliac Research Fund (CRF) Board Members

Dr Robert Anderson is an international authority in coeliac disease. He is a specialist gastroenterologist, medical researcher, and also leading the commercial development of the “coeliac vaccine”. In 2003 he founded the Coeliac Research Fund and has lead a national education campaign to raise the awareness of doctors to ensure better medical management of coeliac disease. His research at Oxford University and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne has defined the toxic components of gluten causing coeliac disease. To test whether this breakthrough could be used to benefit people with coeliac disease he founded Nexpep Pty Ltd. Nexpep is the world leader in development of new therapies and diagnostics for coeliac disease using the gluten peptides recognized by the immune system. Nexpep is the developer of the “coeliac vaccine” now under assessment in clinical trials in Australia.

Krist Davood is a seasoned Non Executive Director and Chief Information Officer with a compelling capacity to add shareholder value by delivering exceptional rather than ‘expected’ results in Technology, Digital Marketing, Risk Management and Governance. Krist is a veteran of more than eight $100m plus software and hardware implementations globally. He’s recognised for being able to author and execute short term tactical plans and long term strategies whilst building best practice. Krist gained his strong business leadership skills with product management, delivery credentials and strategic planning with an impressive list of Top 100 companies in the Medical, Manufacturing, Construction, Utilities, Telecommunications, Banking, Media, Resources, Management Consulting and Insurance industries.

Ms Penny Dellsperger (B.Sc. Nutrition (Hon)) is an Accredited Practising Dietitian employed by The Coeliac Society of NSW Inc. Penny has coeliac disease herself. Her role at the Coeliac Society extends from patient consultation to education of dietitians in the field of coeliac disease. Penny is member of the working party set up by the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Australian Food & Grocery Council to review allergen labelling and is involved in the development of educational material for members of The Coeliac Society.

Karen Inge is one of Australia’s leading Accredited Practicing Dietitians with specialist experience in sports nutrition, media relations and consumer nutrition communication. She is Director of a successful nutrition consultancy and was Head of Nutrition at the Victorian Institute of Sport and is nutrition writer for the Australian Women’s Weekly.

Mr Graham Price (OAM, B.Sc.Hons) is the Technical Officer (honorary) of The Coeliac Society of Australia. In this capacity he gives advice to members and food manufacturers on gluten labelling issues and runs the Coeliac Society’s endorsement programme. He is a member of Food Standards Australia new Zealand external team on gluten labelling issues, a member of the working party set up by the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Australian Food & Grocery Council to review allergen labelling, a member of the editorial team for The Australian Coeliac magazine and President of The Coeliac Society of NSW. Several years ago he was the consumer representative on the team set up by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to review pharmaceutical labelling. Graham is a board member of The Coeliac Society of Australia.

Anthony Rodgers is a Professor of Global Health Sciences at The George Institute, Sydney. After graduating in medicine in the United Kingdom he trained in epidemiology and public health in New Zealand. He was the Principal Author of the 2002 World Health Report for WHO. Since 2003 he has led a public-private collaboration developing an affordable four-in-one cardiovascular combination pill (‘polypill’), with a clinical trial program in economically developed and developing countries. His current research aims to foster other similar medicines with ‘dual market’ application.

Luke Stow is a Director and owner of a successful consultancy and has 20 years experience in business across multiple industries, specialising in transformational change through technology, process and people. His strengths are building capability, technology innovation enabling business advantage and improvement of the end-customer experience. Luke has held executive positions in Symantec, Telstra, Electronic Data Systems and the Bank of Ireland.

Coeliac Research Fund (CRF) Staff

Executive Officer – Kristine Ash (BA Hons) worked in the corporate sector in the UK and emigrated to Australia in 1997. She has been a professional fundraiser since 2001 working in the not-for-profit sector for children’s organisations, research institutions and hospitals. Kris is a member of the Fundraising Institute Australia and has served on the Victorian Executive. She is passionate about improved awareness, diagnosis and research of coeliac disease.

Development Office – Mandy Palmer joined the CRF in 2009 and provides valuable support to many of our important projects. Mandy has worked overseas and brings commitment and a wide experience to the vision of the organisation.