Hi! I’m Nora Im, a high school student from Walnut Creek, California. I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2025 and have been learning to live with this change over the past year. My diagnosis inspired me to turn a personal challenge into an opportunity to grow and help others. I love combining my passions for art and science to create meaningful ways to educate, advocate, and connect with people. I’m developing an app to help children and teens navigate the social, emotional, and organizational challenges of living gluten-free, and I’m currently conducting research on recurrent aphthous ulcers (canker sores) as an oral manifestation of celiac disease and other immune-mediated gastrointestinal diseases. As a Beyond Celiac Ambassador, I hope to raise awareness, encourage others to feel confident advocating for themselves and remind every young person with celiac disease that they are never alone. I hope to one day become a dentist and researcher, using both creativity and science to improve the lives of people living with celiac disease and other health conditions.
