Maria Diehl

Maria Diehl, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kansas State University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She directs the Diehl Lab, focusing on neural circuits governing fear, avoidance, and resilience. Her work employs rodent models combined with optogenetics, single-unit recordings, and behavioral paradigms.

Research emphasizes understanding how social interactions influence fear circuits and behavioral resilience post-trauma, with implications for PTSD. Key areas include neural mechanisms of active avoidance, sex differences in stress responses, and compulsive behavior models.

Publications span 2015–2025, highlighting contributions to fear circuitry, prefrontal cortex dynamics, and social context effects. Her lab trains undergraduates in surgical techniques, data interpretation, and critical thinking. Collaborations include institutions like NIH-funded projects on compulsive behavior circuits.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, but her extensive grants and lab operations suggest external funding support. She advises students through experimental neuroscience training and maintains an active Google Scholar profile and Twitter presence (@DrDiehl_Neuro).