MD, MSc at McMaster University, Canada
Maria Ines Pinto-Sanchez is an Associate Professor at McMaster University in the Gastroenterology Division ๐ซ. She holds an MD from the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina, and an MSc in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University ๐. Her clinical and research focus includes nutrition in chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, dietary therapies for celiac disease, and IBD ๐ฅ. She is the Director of the Adult Celiac Disease Clinic at McMaster University ๐ฅ. Dr. Pinto-Sanchez has published extensively in prestigious journals and has received several awards for her research and teaching contributions ๐.
Professional Profile
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๐ Education
Dr. Pinto-Sanchez completed her Medical Doctor (MD) degree at the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Argentina ๐. She furthered her education with a Clinical Research Fellowship in Celiac Disease and specialized in Gastroenterology through SAGE (Argentinean Gastroenterology Society) ๐ฅ. She earned her MSc in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University, where her thesis focused on comparing guidelines using GRADE vs. non-GRADE systems for assessing evidence quality ๐. She is also a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) from the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification (NBNSC) ๐ผ.
๐ผ Experience
Dr. Pinto-Sanchez has held various academic and clinical positions, including Associate Professor and Assistant Professor at McMaster University ๐ซ. She has worked as a Clinical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Fellow, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and Staff Gastroenterologist in Argentina ๐ฅ. Currently, she leads the Adult Celiac Disease Clinic and co-leads Nutrition Hamilton Health Sciences ๐ฅ. Dr. Pinto-Sanchez is actively involved in teaching, supervision, and research mentoring for residents, fellows, and graduate students ๐.
๐ฌ Research Interests
Dr. Pinto-Sanchez’s research primarily focuses on nutrition in gastrointestinal diseases, particularly celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ๐ฅ. Her work includes investigating dietary therapies, nutritional deficiencies, and novel treatments for these conditions ๐ก. She has published over 90 papers and contributed to several book chapters and editorials ๐. Dr. Pinto-Sanchez is actively involved in clinical trials and has secured funding for various research projects, including studies on gluten-free diets and exclusive enteral nutrition in Crohn’s disease ๐.
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Awards
Dr. Pinto-Sanchez has received several notable awards, including the King Charles IIIโs Coronation Medal for her contributions to advancing celiac disease awareness in Canada ๐๏ธ. She was awarded the Clinical Teaching Award by Gastroenterology Residents and the Internal Medicine Early Career Award from Hamilton Health Sciences ๐. Other recognitions include the Farncombe Institute Scholarship Award and Early Career Presentation Awards from the American Gastroenterology Association and European Congress of Gastroenterology ๐ข.
๐Top Notedย Publications
1. Russell L, et al. Micronutrient deficiencies associated with the gluten-free diet in patients with wheat-related disorders, a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med 2025; 14(14):4848. ๐
2. De Palma G, et al. The role of gut microbiota in Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction: sustained benefit of fecal microbiota transplantation. Accepted Microbes, June 4 2025. ๐งฌ
3. Nandi N, et al. Liver involvement in celiac disease and immune-mediated diseases of the small bowel. Liver International- Accepted June 18 2025. ๐ฅ
4. Seiler C, et al. The role of whole wheat, purified gluten, and gluten-free nocebo challenge in altering symptoms and behavior in adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double-blinded crossover trial. Accepted Lancet GH, April 2025. ๐ฅ
5. Pinto-Sanchez MI, et al. Nutrition assessment and management in celiac disease. Gastroenterology 2024;167(1):116-31.