About Us

# Fresher, Healthier, Safer

WHO WE ARE

As a specialist academy dedicated to food microbiology, we can trace our origins back to April 2012 with the establishment of the Australian Food Microbiology Society. Since then, the organisation has morphed, evolved and transformed until December 2019 when Food Microbiology Academy was founded by Dr Philip Button.
We are are firmly committed to sharing understanding of food microbiology to drive innovation and efficiency across the globe. Why would we want to do this? To improve the quality of life of people the world over. That is our WHY.

Our Vision

Our Vision

Influence global improvements in food safety, food preservation and gut health through empowerment of the individual and policy reform.







Our Mission

Our Mission

Our mission is simple – we are working towards being a global influencer in the core areas of our expertise to be able to empower individuals, guide corporations and influence government policy for economic and health improvements.

TLDR: Create and share knowledge of food microbiology for the betterment of society.








Our Values

Our Values

Food Microbiology Academy is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and equitable environment for all. We value and support diversity in all its forms, including disability, race, gender, sexual orientation and more. Discrimination, harassment and bias have no place here – we strive to ensure a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Our People

      Dr. Phillip Button

      I was initially trained in microbiology, with a BSc (James Cook University, 1998), BAppSc(Hons) (University of Ballarat, 2000) and MSc (La Trobe University, 2003) in that field before completing a PhD in biochemistry (The University of Melbourne, 2008).

      My first postdoctoral appointment was at the interface between physical chemistry and materials science (RMIT University, 2008-2011), and this was followed with a second postdoctoral position in the area of information systems (RMIT University, 2011-2012).

      In 2012 I chose a one-year career break from science, and took up a 12-month contract sales position in educational publishing with Cengage Learning, at their Australian head office in Melbourne. I was employed in the Secondary Schools Division and was the subject specialist for English and history/geography in Victoria. Following this, I returned to being a small business owner in the courier transport industry while establishing myself as an independent food microbiologist under the organisation name “Food Microbiology Academy”.

          Ms Dencelle Mercines

          As an Accessibility Advocate, my mission is to ensure that digital environments are accessible and user-friendly for all individuals, regardless of ability.

          Alongside my advocacy, I have a wealth of experience in content creation, crafting engaging articles, blog posts, and academic papers that cater to diverse audiences. My skills extend to SEO, lead generation, and administrative support, where I combine creativity with efficiency to achieve results.

          I’m a detail-driven and organized professional, thriving both in collaborative environments and when working independently. Whether it’s advocating for accessibility, delivering meaningful content, or optimizing processes, I’m dedicated to driving positive change.

          Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to create more inclusive solutions! ♡

              Elyse Chia

              Project Management Team

              Internship Student

              Course: Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts

              University: Monash University

              Internship unit: SCI3920

              Internship dates: 2 January – 14 February 2025

                  Vinodi Paranagama

                  Project Management Team
                  Internship Student

                  Course: Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of Science

                  University: Monash University

                  Internship unit: SCI3920

                  Internship dates: 2 January – 14 February 2025

                      Shreya Sudke

                      Project Management Team
                      Internship Student

                      Course: Bachelor of Science

                      University: Monash University

                      Internship unit: SCI3920

                      Internship dates: 2 January – 14 February 2025

                          Dakota Adkins

                          Internship Student
                          Course: 
                          Bachelor of Science

                          University: Monash University

                          Internship unit: SCI3920

                          Internship dates: 2 January – 14 February 2025

                              Yifei Chen

                              Internship Student

                              Course: Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science

                              University: Monash University

                              Internship unit: BPS3062

                              Internship dates: 22 July – 16 August 2024

                                  Ruby Chin

                                  Internship Student
                                  Course: 
                                  Bachelor of Biomedical Science

                                  University: Monash University

                                  Internship unit: BME2032

                                  Internship dates: 24 June – 19 July 2024

                                      Chloe Lam

                                      Internship Student

                                      Course: Bachelor of Biomedical Science

                                      University: Monash University

                                      Internship unit: BME2032

                                      Internship dates: 24 June 2024 – 19 July 2024

                                          Yi Xu

                                          Internship Student

                                          Course: Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science

                                          University: Monash University

                                          Internship unit: BPS3062

                                          Internship dates: 22 July – 16 August 2024

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