Dr. Maria Sanchez

Dr. Maria Sanchez holds an MD and PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where her doctoral thesis investigated the pathophysiology of intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in inflammatory bowel disease. She completed gastroenterology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and dedicated IBD fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic, establishing her as one of the leading inflammatory bowel disease specialists of her cohort.

Dr. Sanchez's clinical practice is centred on the management of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, encompassing both medical and endoscopic management. She is highly experienced in the use of biologic therapies for IBD — anti-TNF agents, vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and the newer selective JAK inhibitors and S1P receptor modulators — and applies a treat-to-target strategy using faecal calprotectin, CRP, and endoscopic mucosal healing endpoints to guide therapy escalation and de-escalation.

She leads a multidisciplinary IBD programme that integrates gastroenterology, colorectal surgery, radiology, nutrition, and clinical psychology to provide holistic care for patients living with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Her research on predictors of response to biologic therapy in IBD and on the gut microbiome in Crohn's disease has resulted in publications in Gastroenterology and Gut, and she collaborates with basic scientists at the University of Texas on translational IBD research.

Dr. Sanchez is bilingual in English and Spanish and is committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality IBD care for Hispanic patients, who are historically under-represented in IBD clinical trials and may face cultural and linguistic barriers to specialist gastroenterology services. She has established a community IBD outreach programme and been recognised with the American College of Gastroenterology's Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.