Ellie Hurer is a final year Ph.D. student studying at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. Her research is based on finding therapeutic compounds to slow down the growth of Pancreatic Cancer, to allow traditional treatments such as Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy to be effective. During her Ph.D., she has suffered from many chronic and mental illnesses, undergoing multiple major surgeries, ITU admissions, and harsh treatment cycles. This leads her to create a social media account (@myphdexperience) to share her Ph.D. journey, while suffering from illnesses, to inspire others to follow their dreams regardless of their circumstances, be a role model for young people in STEM, and to create a safe space for her and others. In early 2022, she took on the position of NATO Youth Ambassador for social media, representing the UK.