Elise Cope

Elise Cope, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Her research program investigates the cellular and structural mechanisms underlying hippocampal plasticity and social memory, with a focus on perineuronal nets, microglia, and adult-born granule cells. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining transgenic models, viral vectors, pharmacological interventions, in vivo electrophysiology, histology, and behavioral analyses.

Her research interests center on understanding how neuronal and non-neuronal elements interact to support cognitive functions in both healthy and diseased brains. Specifically, her lab explores how extracellular matrix structures like perineuronal nets and immune-like glial cells such as microglia regulate synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus—an area critical for learning and memory. These studies have implications for neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders where social cognition is impaired.

The scientific work in the Cope Lab aims to uncover fundamental principles of brain plasticity, with potential translational relevance to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. While specific publications and advising roles are not detailed on the website, her research framework suggests active engagement in cutting-edge neuroscience inquiry.

• B.S., 2008, Florida State University
• Ph.D., 2013, Florida State University
• Postdoctoral Training, 2014–2021, Princeton University

Dr. Cope leads the Cope Lab at UVA, which is integrated within the broader neuroscience research ecosystem, including affiliations with the BIG Center and the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Coalition. Her lab uses advanced techniques to manipulate and monitor neural circuits involved in social memory, aiming to elucidate how dynamic interactions between neurons, glia, and extracellular matrix components shape brain function across the lifespan.