Rebecca Leyland

I am a bioscience expert with over fifteen years of scientific experience spanning molecular immunology, cancer biology, genetics and translational immunotherapy. My research career has focused on understanding immune regulation in health and disease.

My doctoral research at University College London investigated the lineage relationships of lymphoid progenitors during homeostasis and inflammation, employing in vivo murine models, multicolour flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, qRT-PCR, and molecular immunophenotyping. This work provided mechanistic insights into haematopoietic differentiation and immune development under inflammatory stress conditions.

As a postdoctoral researcher at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. I examined the role of microRNA-155 in B-cell differentiation and germinal centre responses. Using transgenic mouse models and advanced cellular and molecular techniques, I demonstrated the importance of miR-155 in regulating plasmablast and germinal centre survival and proliferation aswell as antibody responses. This research contributed to high-impact publications in leading immunology journals and strengthened my expertise in gene regulation, epigenetic modulation, and adaptive immune responses.

Subsequently, as Lead Pharmacologist in the Immuno-Oncology group at MedImmune (AstraZeneca’s biologics division), I transitioned into translational cancer immunology. I led preclinical pharmacology programmes evaluating immunomodulatory biologics targeting co-stimulatory pathways, including GITR and OX40 signalling axes. My work involved in vivo tumour modelling, immune profiling, biomarker analysis, and translational study design to support clinical progression. Several programmes advanced into clinical trials, reflecting the robustness of the underlying preclinical science. This role required integration of mechanistic immunology with drug development strategy and regulatory documentation.

As a Senior Lecturer in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University, I established an independent research programme investigating the intrinsic and extrinsic roles of PD-L1 in tumour biology using two-dimensional and three-dimensional cancer models. I supervised doctoral and postgraduate researchers, secured research funding, and returned five publications to REF 2021, all rated 3*–4* for international excellence. My publication portfolio includes work in journals such as the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Clinical Cancer Research, and Frontiers in Immunology, with significant citation impact.

Collectively, my scientific background integrates a deep understanding of biological sciences. I combine technical expertise in advanced laboratory methodologies such as cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA and ELISPOT, with a sustained contribution to high-quality, peer-reviewed research and collaborative scientific advancement.