Dr. Tina Merritt is a practicing Allergist & Immunologist in Bentonville, AR. Dr. Merritt graduated from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine in 1996 and has been in practice for more than 20 years. She completed a residency at University of Arkansas College of Medicine. She currently practices at Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Northwest Arkansas and is affiliated with Northwest Medical Center Bentonville. Dr. Merritt is board certified in Allergy and Immunology; Pediatrics.

Dr. Merritt is known for her research on Alpha-gal, an allergy to beef, pork, and gelatin related to tick bites. Shortly after finishing her postgraduate training she learned of a patient who died in Bentonville, Arkansas, from an immediate reaction to a cancer medication, made from an antibody made from a mammal. Dr. Tina Merritt in Arkansas and Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills in Virginia developed a test to evaluate these allergic reactions. Researchers at Imclone determined the reaction to the cancer medication was from an allergy to a sugar-protein called galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, abbreviated Alpha-gal. A landmark article was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, describing this new type of allergic reaction to a sugar plus protein. Dr. Merritt continues her passion to help those with Alpha-gal Syndrome, through many avenues, including her participation with the Arkansas Alpha-gal Task Force.

She is the director of White Cell Support Group, a nonprofit support group for patients with primary immune deficiency. Dr. Merritt is a noted speaker for asthma, allergy and immune deficiency. She participates in the Food Allergy Research and Education Walk every year and the National Asthma Screening for the past 16 years.

After completing a basic scientific education at MIT, Yan's deep interest in medical research started with his PhD dissertation at Columbia University, which focused on quantitative modeling of infectious diseases in the context of historical epidemiology. While working in various investment management roles in the private sector, his passion for medical research was reinforced over the years by focusing on biotechnology companies. 

Yan has been the Director of Science for LymeTV since its inception and focuses on the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases.

Yan served on the Department of Defense's FY21 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Tick-Borne Disease Research Program as a scientific panel Consumer Reviewer.

Dr. Jennifer Platt has decades of experience in public health and environmental program development. She has led the creation of nationally recognized, award-winning education programs and has spoken extensively to audiences of all sizes.

While working on her doctorate in public health from the University of North Carolina in 2011, Dr. Platt contracted Ehrlichiosis. She was later confirmed to also have Lyme Disease and Babesia.

Dr. Platt’s personal experience with tick-borne illness led her to create TickWarriors in 2016, which provides eco-friendly tick protection for people, pets, and property. The pervasive need for education and awareness led Dr. Platt to co-found Tick-borne Conditions United in 2018 with Beth Carrison.

Jennifer was appointed in 2021 to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) Clinical Presentation and Pathogenesis Subcommittee.

Beth Carrison has 30+ years of experience in business development and healthcare patient advocacy. Since 1996, she has managed over 30 different food allergies within her family unit; in addition, two family members were diagnosed multiple times with Lyme Disease. Being diagnosed herself with two tick-borne conditions – Lyme Disease and Alpha-gal Syndrome (also known as the “Red Meat Allergy” or “Mammalian Meat Allergy”) unfortunately gave Ms. Carrison a firsthand perspective on both tick-borne conditions and anaphylaxis. Since her diagnosis, she has passionately given her time to others in the Alpha-gal community thorough individual connections and numerous speaking engagements across the country.

In 2018, Ms. Carrison co-founded Tick-Borne Conditions United (TBC United), with Dr. Jennifer Platt.

In 2019 Ms. Carrison was appointed as a patient advocate to the federal 2020 Alpha-gal Syndrome Subcommittee, which serves the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Ms. Carrison encourages everyone to join at least one community organization and volunteer their time and talents whenever possible.

Amanda is an award-winning School Nutrition Director in Virginia. She has 25 years of hospitality, food management and nutrition experience. She is a public speaker, vocal advocate for healthy school meals, Food Justice, and Farm to School Programming. Under her direction, Amanda’s SN team received the 2018 & 2019 Dorothy McAuliffe School Nutrition Award and were three-time winners of the VA School Breakfast Challenge. In 2018, SCS SN was selected for The Chef Ann Foundation School Food Support Initiative Grant valued at $200,000.00.  Only seven school districts in the nation were selected.  Amanda’s Summer Meals Program received the national 2019 USDA Turnip the Beet Award and was the only VA program to be awarded the gold standard.  In 2020, Amanda was a Dawbarn Education Award recipient. This award recognizes individuals in education who go beyond the requirements of their assignments and who inspire and encourage students to reach their full potential. Amanda’s work in School Nutrition has been recognized in publications, such as SN-The Official Publication, SNA-VA, American Egg Board, and Food Management Magazine. Amanda has a B.S.in Psychology with an emphasis in Industry and Organization. She is a certified ServSafe Instructor and Proctor and received eCornell's Plant-Based Nutrition Certification.

Amanda holds a seat on the VA Department of Education Child Nutrition Advisory Board and is a past member of the Southeast Dairy Association’s School Nutrition Advisory Council. Locally, Amanda holds seats on Staunton Augusta Waynesboro United Way, Greater Augusta Wellness Partnership, and Community Child Care; Board of Directors. Amanda has worked on the Staunton City Kids Matter Day planning committee for three years. Amanda appreciates being a part of these organizations, because their commitment to solving community-based issues, aligns with her service-based values.

Amanda was diagnosed with Alpha Gal Syndrome in December of 2021 and has since been publicly advocating on behalf of the AGS community. 

Heather Hargis, MFT, is a practicing Marriage and Family therapist in Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. Driven by her own diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome, Heather became certified as a Food Allergy Mental Health Coach and now runs an online alpha-gal support group for women. In her practice, she primarily sees young women ages 14-25, as well as working with individuals with alpha-gal and other food allergies. 

Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols started blogging as Two Alpha Gals after they were diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome in 2018 and 2019. Since then, they’ve been sharing tips and tricks on navigating life while living with the condition they contracted from ticks that makes them allergic to mammal meat and mammal byproducts. With appearances in The Atlantic and on The Today Show, The Skimm, Tick Boot Camp, and many other national and international podcasts and publications, Candice and Debbie continue to raise awareness of what it’s like to live with alpha-gal syndrome without sacrificing joy.

Both women live with their families and a ridiculous number of pets in the New River Valley of Virginia where they love to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols started blogging as Two Alpha Gals after they were diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome in 2018 and 2019. Since then, they’ve been sharing tips and tricks on navigating life while living with the condition they contracted from ticks that makes them allergic to mammal meat and mammal byproducts. With appearances in The Atlantic and on The Today Show, The Skimm, Tick Boot Camp, and many other national and international podcasts and publications, Candice and Debbie continue to raise awareness of what it’s like to live with alpha-gal syndrome without sacrificing joy.

Both women live with their families and a ridiculous number of pets in the New River Valley of Virginia where they love to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.