Layman graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Chemistry, with a concentration in biochemistry. During her undergraduate studies, she participated in a summer organic chemistry research internship at UTK with Dr. Joshua Bacille.

After my undergraduate studies, she participated in the SULI program at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an intern where she synthesized and characterized hydrocarbon-based polynorbornes for applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolyzers.

Layman also participated in the ECO-S program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as an intern where she focused on critical mineral separations.