Samantha Pace Gasan has been appointed Commissioner for Persons with Disability, replacing Oliver Scicluna who was co-opted to Parliament as an MP last Monday.

Pace Gasan, 27, graduated in political science in 2017 and obtained a Masters in creativity and innovation.

She has worked within MEUSAC and at the University of Malta, where she served as a researcher and coordinator on several projects. In the past year, she worked on research regarding the impact of Covid-19 on persons with disability.

Pace Gasan served on the Girl Guides National Board and was also part of the National Commission for Youth. 

In 2018, she underwent an emergency cardiac surgery and was later diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, which affects the body’s connective tissue, the Department of Information said.

In a second intervention in 2020, she suffered a stroke and lost one eye.

Her sister Naomi was born with Down Syndrome in 2001.