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.
KELSEY COSS
fnz4fk@virginia.edu
Kelsey is a graduate from Florida State University with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Biology, where her previous projects focused on the transformation of spatial memory in Alzheimer’s Disease. Kelsey’s research interests include exploring neuroplasticity in psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking, baking, and composing music on the piano, viola, and guitar.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
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.
DAWNIE HUYNH
skh8du@virginia.edu
Dawnie is an undergraduate student from Gainesville, Virginia majoring in Biology (UVA class of 2027). She joined the Cope Lab due to her interest in neurodegenerative diseases and its cellular mechanisms. Her hobbies outside of academics include journaling, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family.
