Layla Brassington

Vanderbilt University

Layla Brassington is a PhD candidate in the Lea Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University. She uses genomic approaches to understand how environmental experiences "get under the skin" to shape immune function and health in diverse human populations. Her research integrates transcriptomic and epigenomic data from populations undergoing rapid lifestyle change to examine why individuals vary so widely in their biological responses to the same immune challenge. Outside the lab, Layla enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on walks, baking, and crafting.

Conference

JXTX+CSHL Biology of Genomes 2026

Research Focus

• Immunogenomics
• Gene-environment interactions
• Transcriptomic and epigenomic data integration
• Immune function in diverse human populations