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Zahraa Chorghay, PhD, Canada

Zahraa obtained her PhD (McGill University) and HBSc (University of Toronto) in neuroscience, where she explored her passion for scientific research as well as for making science accessible and inclusive. Currently, she works as a science communication specialist in the biotechnology sector, and performs freelance science research and writing. Whether pertaining to the personal or the professional – and for a disabled person, these boundaries often blur – Zahraa seeks to create curiosity-driven, evidence-based, and engaging scientific content. 

For almost her entire adult life, Zahraa has had inflammatory bowel disease and an ostomy, which often felt isolating. Despite the infamy associated with social media activism, seeing increased advocacy regarding chronic illness and disability on social media platforms encouraged her to start sharing her own experiences through poetry, storytelling, and panel discussions. Zahraa believes that the vulnerability of sharing our lived experiences can be a powerful way to dismantle ableism by fostering radical acceptance and community.

Peter Park, USA

Peter Park is a fourth year medical student at Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He was symptomatic with Crohns since 2016 and only formally diagnosed with Crohn's this past year in 2023. Since then, he has been involved with Crohn's & Colitis chapters in North Texas for fundraising and medical student engagement. Academically, he plans to pursue Psychiatry with an interest in supporting patients who struggle with mental health and chronic illness. 

Giana Formica, USA

Giana Formica (she/they) is 20 years old and lives in Cleveland, Ohio. They are pursuing a degree in Nonprofit Administration from Cleveland State University. They are a new Crohnie, having been diagnosed recently in March of 2023, and although Crohn's disease may be newer to Giana's life, advocacy work is not. Even outside of the classroom, Giana has a commitment to taking care of and advocating for themselves as well as their peers who face uncertainty and instability when it comes to disease progression, access to reproductive healthcare, or even mental health struggles many young adults face. Giana's advocacy extends beyond the healthcare realm— as she takes the stage as a drag king, challenging societal norms and pushing boundaries with creativity and flair.

Giana hopes to learn and grow as a member of the CCYAN Fellowship and further learn how to use Crohn's as a superpower. She wants to continue to spark change within her communities by being authentically themselves in every way.

Selan Lee, United Kingdom

Selan is a final-year Psychology student at Royal Holloway University of London, living in the UK (obviously). Five years after her diagnosis with Crohn’s Disease in May 2018, she is celebrating her wood anniversary with IBD by working to raise the voices of the young adult IBD population - while juggling her dissertation. Selan is an inaugural member of the Young Adult Advisory Panel for Crohn’s and Colitis UK alongside 11 other young adults to provide strategic advice and shape campaigns for the UK’s young adult IBD population. She has also designed, curated, and hosted a public art exhibition celebrating chronic illness and intersectional identity (‘Low on Spoons, Not Identity’). The project involved collaboration with chronically ill artists and an online group discussion on the need for psychosocial support in caring for people with long-term conditions. While Selan advocates for improved IBD care and creating a holistic, patient-centered healthcare system most of the time, she spends the rest of her time volunteering as an Access Ambassador or seeing shows at the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

Yeabsira Taye, Ethiopia

Yeabsira is a medical student from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine while also attending for another degree in Public Administration and Developmental Management. Living in Ethiopia, with such diverse cultures, Yeabsira loves immersing herself in the rich traditions of the country. In her spare time, she enjoys seeking out new activities that allow her to experience different aspects of her homeland. She also finds fulfillment in volunteering her time to serve and learn from her local community. Whether assisting at a health sectors or serving at her church. She is passionate about gaining fresh perspectives and making an impact through service.

While pursuing her passions with energetic adulthood, Yeabsira faced life's unpredictability when she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease during her first year of university. This chronic illness, often misunderstood in her homeland of Ethiopia, came with immense physical and emotional challenges. Navigating harsh symptoms without a strong support system tested her greatly. Yeabsira knew firsthand the discouragement of inadequate healthcare resources. This drove her to gain expertise that could make a difference. Connecting with Dr. Fasika and Sr. Mahider, through the local Crohn's and Colitis community, provided the lifeline Yeabsira desperately needed. Their compassion restored hope during dark periods. Under talented leadership, Yeabsira felt empowered rather than powerless in her fight against the unpredictable disease. Their guidance lightened her burden immensely. This community’s care gave Yeabsira the will to keep advocating on behalf of fellow sufferers, especially within Ethiopia’s underserved public hospitals. She commits her talents to enriching others' lives, just as her own was enriched. Yeabsira understands fully how critical having support networks can be. It is her mission to pay forward the comfort freely given to her during vulnerable times.

Yeabsira is thrilled to have found a support group for medical students with a chronic illness, where she can openly share her journey navigating inflammatory bowel diseases. Through the support group, she aims to encourage and uplift others in similar circumstances, especially those tirelessly juggling commitments to their education alongside chronic medical concerns. She believes that as medical students battling chronic illnesses themselves, she and other group members hold a unique perspective. Through their first-hand experiences navigating studies while also managing conditions, they gained valuable insight into challenges within the healthcare system. It is her aspiration to encourage these peers to channel their experiences into community service. Whether through advocacy, research, program development or policy work, Yeabsira aims to support group members in dedicating their skills and expertise to better serve others.

Maria Mutka, USA

Maria is 24 years old and lives in North Carolina. She works as a research assistant for AcademyHealth, a health services research organization, where she supports projects aiming to advance care quality for children with medical complexity and other underserved and disabled populations. Maria is particularly passionate about addressing the longstanding gaps in health systems’ infrastructure for care coordination and care transitions for children, youth, and young adults with chronic illnesses and medical complexity. 

This work is especially near and dear to her heart given her diagnosis with ulcerative colitis at the age of 10 and various chronic illness diagnoses since. Her experience with IBD has involved many challenges with advocating for the care she needed throughout flares, medication failures, and various life transitions. She hopes to make an impact in transforming the health care system to operate better for children, youth, young adults, and their families who are often asked to manage their own care on top of their health needs. 

Maria is thrilled at the opportunity to expand beyond research on chronic illness and medical complexity into advocacy work that is based on her own life experience with IBD through CCYAN. Maria hopes to begin graduate studies in public health in Fall 2024. In her free time, she enjoys ballroom dancing, hiking, and reading memoirs.