Sisanda Mhlanga is a PhD Candidate in Medicine at the University of Adelaide and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Australia. Her research focuses on ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, with a particular interest in evaluating the therapeutic potential of natural bioactive compounds. She is leading a world-first clinical trial investigating Emu Oil as a potential adjunct therapy for paediatric ulcerative colitis and conducts translational research examining the complex interactions between intestinal inflammation, mucosal repair, the gut microbiome, and microbial metabolites. Her work aims to advance the development of novel, evidence-based therapies that improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease.