Samantha was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2018 during her second year of undergraduate studies in Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. This diagnosis profoundly changed her life, inspiring her  to pursue graduate school and connect with others living with IBD. Now a PhD student at McMaster University, her research focuses on the role of physical activity for youth with IBD. She is especially passionate about taking a holistic approach to understanding IBD, exploring how factors like physical activity, sleep, quality of life, and overall wellbeing interact with disease management. In addition to her academic work, she has been a volunteer with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and recently completed the PaCER program to deepen her involvement in patient-centered research. We are excited for Samantha to bring her experiences and perspectives to IMAGINE and continue making a positive impact in the IBD community.