A hepatologist and academic, a wife and a mother of two, Dr Ellie Barnes delighted researchers at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics’ Women in Science talk, held on Wednesday the 20th of November 2013. Her presentation entitled: Women in Science – the joys and the juggles, highlighted the ups and downs of balancing a career in science, particularly as a working mother. Currently balancing three major projects: leading a £5 million collaboration called Stop HCV, trialling a powerful new Hepatitis C vaccine, and studying B cell immunology and IgG4 systemic disease, Ellie is now at a senior level in her career. But she admited that getting to this point hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. Having her first child while studying her PhD and second just before receiving her intermediate MRC award, Ellie said it’s often hard to manage the demands of work and home, but being able to do what you love day in and day out makes it worth the struggle.