Helen has a multidisciplinary background. She started her journey in scientific research and education at University College Dublin, Ireland, where she undertook a bachelor’s degree in general science, graduating with a joint major in pharmacology and physiology. She then moved to the UK, to work as an associate scientist with global contract research organisation, Charles River Laboratories. She returned to Ireland to complete a master’s degree in biomedical science at the National University of Ireland, Galway, where she became particularly interested in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. For her research thesis, she carried out an investigation into fabricating 3D microstructures within a cell encapsulating fibrin gel using two-photon polymerisation. Helen returned to industry again to work as a research assistant with Evotec SE, Germany for a short period before joining MERLN as a PhD candidate in 2020. She is now focusing on developing a kidney model for drug safety screening, using renal cells derived from iPSCs and innovative bioprinting technologies as part of the CTR department