Anna Klintsova named chair of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Anna Klintsova, professor and director of the behavioral neuroscience area in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, has been appointed the department’s chair, effective Feb. 4.

In her new role, Klintsova will provide academic and administrative leadership for the department, overseeing faculty development, student success initiatives and strategic planning. She will also guide departmental priorities in research, teaching and community engagement.

“In addition to being a highly regarded behavioral neuroscientist, Professor Klintsova possesses extensive experience in collaborative administration,” said Dean Caleb Everett. “Her thoughtful approach to administration, and more specifically to the ways she can lead the department, was evident throughout this search process.”

Klintsova has been a member of the University of Delaware faculty for more than two decades. Her research focuses on neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize—and explores behavioral interventions that enhance brain function in both typical and damaged systems.

Her work has examined the long-term effects of early alcohol exposure on brain development, identifying lasting changes in regions such as the hippocampus, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Klintsova and her research team have also demonstrated that targeted therapeutic and behavioral interventions can improve brain plasticity and behavioral outcomes.