Ailis was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire. She graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2015, working with Prof. Chris Hayes during her masters year on the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides for antisense applications. Now, as part of the Bristol Synthesis CDT, Ailis works in collaboration with Dr. Michelle Ma at King’s College London synthesising new diphosphine ligands for nuclear imaging and therapy. In her spare time Ailis enjoys cooking, reading and socialising with friends.