Ella Balasa is a person with cystic fibrosis, a writer, a patient advocate, and a scientist. She received her education from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014 and has worked as an environmental microbiology lab manager. She is involved in the cystic fibrosis community through being a director of the US Adult CF Association, serving on various research committees, including the CF Foundation Infection Research Steering Committee and as co-chair for the inaugural CF virtual research conference, ResearchCon. She has been named the 2019 CF Ambassador for the Virginia CF Foundation Chapter. When she is not taking care of her health, she enjoys spending time with friends and writing her column.