Amanda Chicoli

Amanda Chicoli is a Lecturer in the Psychology Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. She serves as the research coordinator for the neuroscience major, faculty advisor for the neuroscience minor, and course director for NEUR305: Neural Systems and Circuits. Her roles include teaching multiple courses such as PSYC300 (Research Methods in Psychology), PSYC409 (Topics in Neuroscience), and PSYC489R (Human & Animal Intelligence). Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the Carnegie Institution for Science, where she studied zebrafish dorsal habenulae using molecular, genetic, and whole-brain imaging techniques.

Chicoli holds a PhD in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (2016) from the University of Maryland and a BS in Biology and Psychology from Brooklyn College (2010). Her research focuses on systems neurobiology, neuroethology, and collective behavior, with applications to bio-inspired engineering. She is deeply committed to science education and curriculum development, particularly for neuroscience programs. Her work integrates computational modeling, experimental neuroscience, and immersive VR technology to explore animal behavior and decision-making in groups.

Her research interests emphasize understanding how individual and collective behaviors emerge from neural and environmental interactions. Key projects include analyzing rheotaxis (current-following) in fish schools, modeling group decision-making, and investigating predator avoidance strategies. She has contributed to studies using zebrafish as a model organism to explore brain connectivity and function. Chicoli’s work bridges theoretical models with empirical observations, offering insights into both fundamental neuroscience and applied engineering challenges.