Born in Sheffield in 1963, Helen’s family originally lived in Grenoside where she attended Grenoside Junior and Infant School and then moved to Greenhill. After studying at Jordanthorpe Comprehensive, Helen gained a Chemistry degree at Sheffield University.

Her first job was as an engineer for a division of GEC in London and she also began studying part time for a PhD at Birbeck College, London. In August 1987, Helen became a Research Technologist for Mars Confectionery.

Helen beat more than 13,000 applicants to be selected as one of the final four candidates for the position of UK cosmonaut on the Soviet space mission Project Juno. In May 1991 Helen became the first Briton in space when she spent 8 days at the Mir Space Station conducting scientific experiments.

After her return she continued to work as a scientist and became one of the country's leading ambassadors for science, giving lectures around the world. Helen was also an accomplished broadcaster, presenting numerous science based radio and television programmes.

Helen was awarded the OBE in 1992 and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Aeronautical Society, British Interplanetary Society, Sheffield Hallam University and Senior Fellow of the University of Sheffield.