Sarah G. Panitz

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About

Sarah G. Panitz is a pioneering researcher in behavioral neuroscience, specializing in the development and validation of novel animal models for studying emotional disturbances. Her work bridges ethology and technology, using zebrafish to explore the biological underpinnings of anxiety and stress-related disorders. Panitz’s most cited study, "Live Predators, Robots, and Computer-Animated Images Elicit Differential Avoidance Responses in Zebrafish" (2015, 77 citations), demonstrates her innovative approach: she systematically compared how zebrafish respond to live predators, robotic stimuli, and computer-animated images, revealing distinct avoidance behaviors. This research provides a critical methodological framework for refining preclinical screening of therapeutic strategies, moving beyond traditional rodent models. By integrating robotics and digital animation, Panitz has advanced the translational relevance of zebrafish in neuropsychiatric research, offering scalable, high-throughput tools for drug discovery. Her work underscores the importance of naturalistic stimuli in behavioral assays, earning recognition for its interdisciplinary impact. With a growing citation footprint, Panitz continues to shape how emotional disturbances are modeled, making her a key figure in the evolution of comparative neuroscience and psychiatric research.