Helen was born in Hamburg, Germany but her family moved to Victoria when she was very young and has lived here ever since. She was a part of a competitive robotics team for many years during high school yet ended up with an equal interest in metalwork and chemistry. After going to trade school for a year at Camosun, she could no longer ignore her interest in chemistry and came to UVic where she is now doing her honours project with the Manners group. In her free time she referees robotics competitions, travels (when she can), and collects more books about Norse mythology.