Meet The Team.
Principal Investigator
Asheley Chapman
Dr. Asheley Chapman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University, where she leads the Chapman Lab. She earned her B.A. in Religious Studies from Agnes Scott College and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Professors M.G. Finn and Susan Thomas. While her academic path spans seemingly distinct disciplines, Dr. Chapman sees both as driven by a deep curiosity about how and why systems—biological or philosophical—function.
She completed her postdoctoral training in the immunoengineering lab of Professor Darrell Irvine at MIT and the Scripps Research Institute. She officially joins the Vanderbilt faculty in 2026.
Dr. Chapman’s research integrates bioconjugation chemistry, protein engineering, and drug delivery to develop targeted vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. Her work focuses in particular on modulating B cell responses and exploring germinal center biology to design next-generation nanomedicines.
Graduate Student
Olivia Sherron
Olivia is originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Biomolecular Engineering from the University of South Carolina. While at UofSC, she worked in Dr. Nicholas Truex’s laboratory investigating engineered proteins for increased inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on cancer immunotherapy applications. During this time, she designed a novel transcription factor for upregulating the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha, and tested the construct in human cell lines. Olivia joined the Chapman lab in 2025 as a first year ChBE student. In her free time, Olivia likes trying new coffee shops around Nashville, going to fitness classes, and FaceTiming her parents (mostly to see her family dog, Louie).
What We Believe
Science and engineering are powerful tools for discovery and for improving life. Conducting research is a privilege, one that we earn through dedication, persistence, and a deep commitment to truth and innovation. We build on the efforts of those who came before us, and we carry the responsibility to pursue knowledge with integrity and care.
We value a wide range of perspectives, bold ideas, and people from all backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets. Our lab is a place where respect, collaboration, and support are not just encouraged—they're essential. These principles help us do our best science and create a community where everyone can thrive.
To the end of developing better and safer vaccines and therapeutics, we hold these principles in the forefront of our minds:
Rigor
Dedication
Community
Integrity
Innovation
Perseverance
Discipline
Collaboration
Service
