Helen graduated from the University of Reading in 2009 with a BSc in Rural Environmental Science and subsequently completed an MSc in Aquatic Biology and Resource Management at the University of Exeter. Helen started her career as an ecotoxicologist with Cambridge Environmental Assessments where she worked on multisite freshwater mesocosm and laboratory studies.  She then went on to take up up a role with the UK Government Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, where she further developed her knowledge of acute and chronic marine test methods. In her role she was also responsible for leading a team of scientists and so as part of her training completed a level 3 diploma in Management.