About Our Fellowship
The CCYAN fellowship brings together a select group of young adults with IBD from around the world, providing opportunities to learn about and engage in IBD advocacy. Since its launch in 2019, we have welcomed fellows from across the United States, India, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Dubai, Greece, Malaysia, and Canada! Fellows meet monthly to hear from IBD experts, discuss topics relevant to young adulthood and IBD, participate in community initiatives, and join a global network of young adults living with IBD.
We keep close contact with our program alumni and work to connect them with opportunities to share their diverse perspectives in IBD spaces. Funding for the fellowship is made possible by the Helmsley Charitable Trust.
Check out some of our past fellow projects here!
Meet Our 2025 Fellows
Aiswarya Asokan (she/her) – South India
I come from a small village in the southernmost part of India. Being an Ayurveda doctor, I help people round the globe to manage their health through dietary and lifestyle recommendations and herbal supplements by a holistic approach via tele-consultation. When not in my white coat, I am an artist who finds peace in painting, a wanderer who loves to travel, a foodie who loves to explore diverse cuisines, a curious mind who enjoys picking up new skills and a social spirit who loves to interact, make friends and spend time with my tribe. Another integral part of my life has been my journey with crohn’s, which involves days of endless hospital stays, sleepless nights with pain, absentees from schools and colleges, chronic fatigue, weight fluctuations, a hemicolectomy and many more at the same time it has taught me patience, resilience and to find a bunch of noble souls who helps me to rise up after every setback. Through the fellowship I wish to share my experience and learn from others’ and together build an equitable world through humble efforts to make the invisible disability visible to the governing system and other authorities concerned to shape our lives.
Alexis Gomez (she/her) – California, U.S.A.
Hello, my name is Alexis! I am from Los Angeles, California and I’m currently a 4th-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside double-majoring in Creative Writing and Political Science. I began experiencing symptoms of IBD shortly before my first quarter of undergrad and was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in January 2022. I’ve spent the past few years adjusting to this new normal and learning what it really means to advocate for myself. I’m grateful to have found CCYAN and Generation Patient’s virtual support meetings early on in my diagnosis because they have allowed me to feel less alone amidst the ups, downs, and unpredictabilities of having IBD. In my free time, I enjoy reading and writing fiction and poetry. Since being diagnosed, I’ve also turned to nonfiction writing as a way to navigate my experience with IBD as well as share it with others. I’m excited to be a CCYAN Fellow this upcoming year because I want to contribute to spreading more awareness about IBD and reducing its stigma. I also want to be able to help other young adults with IBD feel seen, supported, and to know that they are not alone.
Akhil Shridhar (he/him) – Bengaluru, India
I grew up in Udupi, a small city in southern India, and work as a software developer. For the past 20 years, I have lived with psoriasis, and six years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. In a place where Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is often unheard of, even among treating doctors, my diagnosis was a slow and grueling process, especially during my second year of pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal. The COVID-19 pandemic soon disrupted my treatment plans, and after graduating, I opted for the IT sector to work from home, which allowed me to manage my condition better. Finding a specialist with expertise in IBD became a major concern as I experienced regular flare-ups that impacted my daily activities. The lack of proper medications led to severe Crohn's disease. Determined to take control of my health, I found invaluable support from the online IBD community. Their resources helped me understand the disease better, find the best doctors, and communicate effectively with them. Despite the damage caused by severe disease, the recovery journey has been arduous, compounded by the mental and financial burden of expensive treatment with minimal support from the healthcare system. The online IBD community has been a tremendous help, and I'm incredibly excited to be part of this fellowship. I aim to contribute to the community by sharing reliable resources and support that can be beneficial to anyone navigating their IBD journey or any other chronic illness. Additionally, I'm keen to learn more about the healthcare ecosystem and advocate for positive changes in healthcare policies and support systems for the IBD community in India.
Bamlak Alebel (she/her) – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
My name is Beamlak Alebel and I am from Ethiopia currently living in Addis Ababa. I was diagnosed with IBD in 2018 while I was a university student. I have faced many challenges including undergoing surgery and adjusting my lifestyle. IBD has stolen much of my childhood and early adulthood. My personal experience with IBD has shaped me into a resilient person and it has fueled my desire to raise awareness about IBD. As a CCYAN fellow, I want to get a deeper understanding of IBD. Furthermore, I want to learn more about the latest research, treatment for managing symptoms. As I am a very committed and dedicated woman I hope this fellowship will be a stepping stone for my dream to become true also achieving my vision. Hopefully, this fellowship will help me to build the skills network I need.
Kaitlyn Niznik (she/her) – New York, U.S.A.
Kaitlyn Niznik is an artist and educator in the Hudson Valley region of New York. She has been teaching middle and high school art for the past seven years. Kaitlyn received her MFA from Lesley University and her BFA/BS in painting and visual arts education from SUNY New Paltz. She was diagnosed with Microscopic Lymphocytic Colitis in early 2020 after suffering from symptoms for years throughout undergrad. In her personal time, Kaitlyn volunteers as an illustrator for Knowing Neurons, dances, and makes watercolor paper cuts of the digestive system. She is especially interested in learning more about gastrointestinal pathology and immunohistochemical staining techniques. She hopes to use the CCYAN Fellowship to spread awareness of Microscopic Colitis and help others with the disease advocate for themselves.
Lexi Hanson (she/her) - Missouri, U.S.A.
Lexi Hanson (she/her) is a graduate student pursuing her doctorate in occupational therapy at Washington University in Saint Louis, with an expected graduation in May. Since her diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in 2015, Lexi has navigated the challenges of her condition, which included a week-long hospitalization and numerous visits to medical institutions such as Boston Children’s Hospital and the Mayo Clinic. With a treatment history involving oral medications, injections, and infusions, she has demonstrated resilience by adapting her medication regimen to achieve remission and minimize symptoms. Lexi expresses deep gratitude for the support of healthcare professionals, her family, and friends, who have been instrumental in her journey. Lexi is excited about the opportunity to advocate and work alongside CCYAN’s mission and vision, which she believes will help her expand her professional network and work toward her personal and career goals in occupational therapy. Lexi is passionate about providing services and support to children and reducing the stigma around invisible illnesses. She is eager to engage with the fellowship community, as she values conversations and discussion with her peers. Lexi likes to say that her ulcerative colitis journey is part of her definition, but does not define her! Whether she is in a flare or not, Lexi enjoys reading, travelling, and eating at her favorite restaurants.
Michelle Garber (she/her) – California, U.S.A.
Michelle Garber is 22 years old, and she was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Adult Mental Health and Wellness at the University of Southern California (USC). She aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) so that she can provide therapy and mental health services for those diagnosed with a chronic illness(es), especially those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This is because she was diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Pancolitis in August of 2021 when she was 19 years old. While she had the support of her family after her diagnosis, she still realized the dire need for mental health services specifically tailored to individuals with chronic illnesses. This work is very near and dear to her heart as Michelle has not only felt alone throughout her journey with IBD, but she has also had to advocate for herself every step of the way. Having IBD is already exhausting in itself and a full-time job. Having to also explain your diagnosis to everyone who comes into your life and also push to be heard by your medical team before it is too late only adds on to this. Michelle is excited to be a part of CCYAN as it will not only be a source of community for her in what seems like such an isolating disease, but it will also be a way for her to learn how to further advocate for herself and others with IBD. She not only wants to be a voice for herself, but also the IBD community as a whole. Michelle is also thrilled to share her story through CCYAN while discussing topics such as the link between stress and IBD, romantic relationships with IBD, etc. Overall, she just wants individuals with IBD to feel understood and less alone, no matter what stage in their journey they are on.
Rifa Tusnia Mona (She/her) – Dhaka, Bangladesh
Rifa Tusnia Mona is a 25-year-old agriculturist from Dhaka, Bangladesh. She graduated in agriculture from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in 2022. During her final year of undergraduate studies, Rifa was diagnosed with IBD (Crohn’s disease). Previously, Rifa has engaged in advocacy work around entrepreneurship, hunger, and illiteracy, but is now excited to focus on advocacy for IBD patients worldwide through the CCYAN Fellowship. As an IBD patient herself, she understands the importance of raising awareness and aims to help others by fostering a strong sense of optimism and acceptance. Rifa hopes her advocacy will contribute to a future where IBD is seen not as a weakness, but as a testament to resilience and strength.