While Dr Cope is a veterinarian by training (1989, University of Queensland) she has spent most of her professional career as a toxicologist. Following obtaining her veterinary qualification Dr Cope pursued further training as a radiation toxicologist/photobiologist (PhD, University of Sydney 1996). She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment and a registered specialist in Veterinary Toxicology in NSW. Dr Cope has held academic positions at the University of Illinois and at Oregon State University. Currently Dr Cope is the Principal Toxicologist for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines authority and an Associate Professor at the University of New England.