Helene earned both an MSc in Chemistry and an MSc in Science, Technology, and Policy from ETH Zürich. Throughout her academic journey, she engaged in diverse projects spanning wastewater treatment, the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals, and stakeholder participation in river restoration projects. She continued her studies at ETH Zurich for a PhD, where she concentrated on hazardous chemicals found in plastics as part of the Clean Cycle project. Her research centred on fostering a more circular economy, involving the creation of databases cataloguing chemicals used in plastic production or present in plastic products. Additionally, she conducted extensive analyses on Swiss plastic products, assessing their metal and ortho-phthalate content, with a particular focus on plastic building materials. Helene’s academic pursuits reflect her dedication to comprehensive learning and a fervent drive to address multifaceted challenges across various disciplines.