Elise Cope, PhD
Assistant professor, department of neuroscience University of virginia
B.S. Florida State University
Ph.D. Florida State University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton Neuroscience Institute
Elise.Cope@virginia.edu
GRADUATE STUDENTS
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.
LAB TECHNICIANS
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.
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.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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.
ISABELLE MEEKS
hpj8sv@virginia.edu
Izzy is an undergraduate student from Fairfax Station, VA studying Neuroscience (UVA Class of 2026). She joined the Cope Lab due to her interest in the development of neurodegenerative diseases and memory. Outside of the lab, Izzy enjoys doing ballet, playing cello, cooking, and listening to music.
