BRENDA SANCHEZ

eqa8wj@virginia.edu

Brenda graduated from UNC-CH with a BS in Biology and did a postbacc. fellowship at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. She is currently an NGP student interested in studying PNNs in the context of social memory. Beyond the lab, she enjoys making art and being involved in science outreach.

JACQUELINE MOATS

wxe7sb@virginia.edu

Jackie is a graduate from Florida International University with a B.S. in Biology and completed a postbacc fellowship at the NIH. She is interested in the learning and memory arenas of Neuroscience with an emphasis on structural plasticity. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her cat named Pi.

PIOTR KRASZEWSKI

yaw7vm@virginia.edu

Piotr is a graduate from Jagiellonian University with a master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology. He is currently a PhD student in the Cell Biology program interested in perineuronal net biology and structural plasticity. Outside of the lab, Piotr enjoys traveling and cooking.

WALTER TATERA

kut2rm@virginia.edu

Walt received his master’s degree from Virginia Tech in 2023 where his project focused on lateral parabrachial cholinergic neurons and their relationship to food reward behavior. Walt enjoys reading, music, and traveling.

SABRINA LEE

sl8xhm@virginia.edu

Sabrina is a UVA graduate from Richmond, VA who double majored in cognitive science (neuroscience concentration) and statistics (biostatistics concentration). She’s interested in microglia and neuropsychiatric disorders, and is currently working with Dr. Cope in studying microglial involvement with perineuronal nets and social memory. Outside of lab, Sabrina enjoys volunteering as an EMT at the local rescue squad, drawing, listening to live music, and pestering her cat.

JESSICA KILMER

jan2ug@virginia.edu

Jess graduated from JMU with a major in psychology and a minor in biology, concentrating in neuroscience. She has worked clinically with adults with serious mental illness at a psychosocial rehabilitation and residential program for the past 2 years, and is passionate about the intersection of neuroscience research and clinical psychiatric care. Jess’ research interests include examining social memory and neuroplasticity, especially as they relate to psychotic disorders. Outside the lab, she enjoys volunteering at a cat cafe, practicing yoga, and doing portrait art.

SHAHZEB HASHMI

sh2muk@virginia.edu

Shahzeb is an undergraduate student from Alexandria, VA (UVA class of 2024). He is majoring in Biology and minoring in Environmental Sciences. He joined the lab in the Spring of 2022 because of his interest in the cellular mechanisms and regulation of neurocognitive disorders. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and reading. 

EVA CAMPBELL

bfr7fr@virginia.edu

Eva is an undergraduate student from Alexandria, Virginia studying Behavioral Neuroscience and French (UVA class of 2025). She is interested in psychiatric disorders and their origins in the nervous system, which is why she joined the Cope lab. Outside of academics, Eva enjoys travel, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, and baking

COLIN REMY

pnw6gj@virginia.edu

Colin is an undergraduate student from Leesburg, Virginia. He is majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry (UVA class of 2025). He joined the lab due to his interest in neurological disabilities contributing to social memory defects. Outside of the lab, Colin enjoys playing soccer, reading, and watching movies.

KATHERINE SPONAUGLE

jzg3jh@virginia.edu

Katie is an undergraduate student from Falls Church, VA studying Neuroscience and Statistics (UVA Class of 2026). She joined the Cope Lab due to her interest in the mechanisms of structural plasticity and the development of effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Outside of the lab, Katie enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

VICTORIA KIM: Distinguished Major Program with the Highest Distinction in Cognitive Science (UVA class of 2023, undergraduate student)