Paola Maria Valsecchi

Paola Maria Valsecchi is an Associate Professor at the University of Parma, specializing in Applied Ethology within the Department of Neuroscience. Her research focuses on behavioral biology across rodents and canines, with significant contributions to understanding social learning, cognition, and welfare optimization.

• Current role: Associate Professor (2014–present), Department of Neuroscience
• Past roles: Aggregate Professor (2005–2014), Senior Researcher (1993–2004), Researcher (1990–1993)
• Teaching: Applied Ethology, Nature Conservation, Vertebrate Evolution, Zoology

Her research spans two core domains:

• Rodent Studies: Ontogeny of diet selection, neurochemical basis of social learning, spatial orientation, and kin recognition.
• Canine Research: Behavioral and physiological adaptation in shelters, human-dog attachment, breed differences in cognition, and social dynamics of free-ranging dogs.

  She has participated in international collaborations with institutions in Canada, Australia, and the USA, and coordinated an ICSC World Laboratory project on rodent behavior. Professional memberships include the Italian Society of Ethology (SIE) and Italian Society of Zoology (UZI).