Dr Katherine Helliwell is a molecular microbiologist holding a NERC Independent Research Fellow and joint appointment between the University of Exeter and Marine Biological Association (Plymouth, UK). Following a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol, Katherine pursued a PhD and postdoctoral work in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge. Her research group aims to investigate the interactions of algae with other planktonic microbes, and study algal nutrient physiology and cell signalling mechanisms. We employ a combination of molecular genetics, imaging, proteomics and physiological approaches to address these questions.