Interest Groups

BIO AIT-IG BOARD MEMBER 2024-2026

1. Carmen Milagros Rondon: Chair .

Dr. Carmen Rondón is the Head of the Allergy Unit of the Hospital Regional Universitario of Málaga, Spain. From the start of her medical career as an Allergology Resident, she has been deeply engaged in clinical research. Currently, she serves as a senior researcher in the Allergy Group at IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND and actively collaborates within the PAIDI Asthma and Allergy Research Group and the RICORS “Inflammatory Diseases Network.”

Dr. Rondón earned her Doctor of Medicine degree, with distinction, from the University of Málaga in 2007. Her primary research interests lie in the endophenotyping of respiratory allergies and identifying biomarkers for clinical and immunologic responses to allergen immunotherapy. More recently, her work has expanded to include the impact of climate change on allergy-related health outcomes and the efficacy of biological treatments for allergic conditions.

2. Mattia Giovannini: Secretary

Dr. Mattia Giovannini graduated in Medicine & Surgery at the University of Verona, Italy, and attended the School of Pediatrics, Pediatric Specialties curriculum in Allergy at the University of Florence, Italy. Pediatric Allergy has had a leading role since his university studies, when he identified it as a career choice. Since then, he has been actively involved in clinical and research activities. Dr. Mattia Giovannini trained in United States and in United Kingdom. He is currently a Pediatric Specialist at Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS in Florence, Italy, employed as a Junior Researcher at the Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy. His research interest primarily involves pediatric anaphylaxis and immunomodulation.

3. Dario Antolín Amerigo: Board Member

Dr. Darío Antolín Amérigo is affiliated with the Allergy Department at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital and the Ramón y Cajal Research Institute (IRYCIS) at the University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain. His professional interests encompass a broad spectrum within allergy and immunology, with a strong focus on education in allergy, strategic planning, and the management of respiratory allergies such as asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis. He is also deeply involved in exploring the impact and potential of biologic therapies and allergen immunotherapy.

Dr. Antolín is particularly interested in the effects of climate change and pollution on allergic diseases, as well as the innovative applications of artificial intelligence and telemedicine in allergy care. His work aims to integrate these evolving fields to advance patient care and improve outcomes in allergy and immunology.

4. Deniz Eyice Karabacak: Board Member

Dr. Deniz Eyice is a Medical Doctor specializing in Allergology and Clinical Immunology at the Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Kocaeli City Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey. Her professional interests include immunotherapy, venom immunotherapy, molecular allergy diagnosis, food allergies, respiratory allergies (particularly asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis), drug allergies, and hereditary angioedema.

Dr. Eyice is actively involved with the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). She previously served on the Junior Members Assembly (JMA) Board and received the EAACI Clinical Fellowship in 2020. She is also a member of several EAACI task forces focused on advancing immunotherapy, reflecting her commitment to improving allergy and immunology treatments.

5. Cristina Quecchia: Board Member

Dr. Cristina Quecchia is an Allergist and consultant with the Pediatric Allergy Service at the Children’s Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy. She serves as a tutor for pediatric and allergology residents and collaborates in research with the University of Brescia. Her primary research interests include asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis, with a focus on how immunotherapy can prevent and alleviate these conditions. She is also engaged in exploring biologic treatments that can significantly improve the lives of allergic patients.

Passionate about patient education from the start of her career, Dr. Quecchia actively works with her team to develop innovative strategies to enhance treatment adherence among patients at her center. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new insights into the potential of telemedicine and digital health tools, which have become valuable aids in allergy care. Additionally, Dr. Quecchia’s focus has expanded to include the effects of climate change and pollution on allergic diseases. She believes that understanding these environmental impacts will be critical to advancing allergy treatment and prevention in the years ahead.

6. Umit Murat Sahiner: Board Member

Dr. Umit Sahiner is a Professor of Pediatrics and a Pediatric Allergist specializing in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) for aeroallergens, food allergies, and venom allergies. He practices full-time at the Department of Pediatric Allergy at Hacettepe University Children’s Hospital. His primary research interests lie in identifying biomarkers and clinical markers that can help predict patient responses and the efficacy of AIT. Additionally, he focuses on strategies to enhance compliance with immunotherapy treatments, aiming to improve patient outcomes and adherence. Dr. Sahiner is committed to advancing pediatric allergy care through both clinical practice and research.

7. Domingo Barber: Expert Advisor

Dr. Domingo Barber, PhD in Biochemistry, has served as Director of the Institute for Applied Molecular Medicine at the School of Medicine, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, since May 2013. The institute undertakes research in cancer, metabolism, pharmacology, and inflammation. Dr. Barber leads a multidisciplinary team of 20 researchers dedicated to advancing biomarker discovery and intervention strategies for severe allergies and associated co-morbidities, such as asthma, severe food allergies, nasal polyposis, and microbiome-related conditions.

An active member of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), Dr. Barber currently holds the position of Secretary of the Research and Outreach Committee. Prior to his current role, he spent 25 years at ALK, where he made significant contributions to allergen discovery and the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. During this time, he held various director roles, including in Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, and Research.

Dr. Barber has a distinguished track record in allergy research, with over 200 scientific publications. His work spans numerous areas, with a particular focus on systems biology, allergen immunotherapy, allergen characterization and standardization, as well as food and occupational allergies.

8. Martha Jimenez Freites: JM Representative

Dr. Martha Jimenez Freites is a dedicated pediatrician and pediatric allergist. She is completing advanced training in pediatric allergology at the Pediatric Allergology and Clinical Immunology Department of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. In addition, she currently serves as an specialist in the Pediatric Allergology Department at Consorci Sanitari Garraf-Alt Penedès, Spain.

Dr. Jimenez is an active member of the Spanish Society of Clinical Immunology, Allergology, and Pediatric Asthma and holds a research grant supporting her ongoing investigation into oral immunotherapy for food allergies, a field in which she is highly invested. Within her department, Dr. Jimenez provides specialized care for pediatric patients with asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, drug allergies, and food allergies.