Dr Holly Egan has interests in oncology, women’s health, and academic research, and received two top-choice ACF offers this year. She has presented internationally, been awarded an RCR Research Fellowship and the 2024 RCR Clinical Oncology Undergraduate Research Award, and completed a fellowship in the US. She outlines her journey into academia, the role of the SFP, and offers practical insight into ACF applications and building an academic portfolio.