Sarah DeVaul Princiotta

Penn State Schuylkill, Department of Science, Engineering, and Technology

200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven PA, 17972 USA
sbp20@psu.edu www.sarahdevaulprinciotta.weebly.com

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

2019 – current Assistant Professor of Biology, Penn State Schuylkill,

Department of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Schuylkill
Haven PA

2022 – current: Coordinator, Penn State Schuylkill Honors

program

2017 – 2019 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Murray State University,

Hancock Biological Station/Department of Biological Sciences,
Murray KY
Advisors: David White and Susan Hendricks

2017 Adjunct Lecturer, Penn State Worthington-Scranton, Biology

Program, Dunmore PA

2016 – 2017 Director of Research and Education, Lacawac Sanctuary and

Biological Field Station, Lake Ariel PA

2016 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Temple University, Department of

Biology, Philadelphia PA

EDUCATION

2010 – 2016 PhD, Biology. Temple University, Department of Biology

Philadelphia PA
Advisor: Robert Sanders

2006 – 2010 BS, Biology. Temple University, Department of Biology,

Philadelphia PA
cum laude, distinction in major

PUBLICATIONS *indicates undergraduate mentee

12. Princiotta SD, A VanKuren, CE Williamson, RW Sanders, and M Valiñas (2023)

Disentangling the role of light and nutrient limitation on bacterivory by mixotrophic
nanoflagellates. Journal of Phycology 59: 785 – 790.

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11. Milette N, R Gast, J Luo, H Moeller, K Stamieszkin, K Andersen, E Brownlee, N Cohen, S
Duhamel, S Dutkiewicz, P Glibert, M Johnson, S Leles, A Maloney, G McManus, N Poulton,
SD Princiotta, RW Sanders, and S Wilken (2023) Mixotrophs and Mixotrophy: Future Research
Priorities. Journal of Plankton Research (Horizons) 45: 576 – 596.

10. Holen DA and SD Princiotta (2023) Encystment by the mixotrophic flagellate Ochromonas
pinguis (Chrysophyceae) in laboratory culture. Fottea 23: 208 – 216.

9. Princiotta SD, T Nguyen*, and RW Sanders (2022) High abundances and negligible grazing
during winter by the mixotrophic Chrysophyte Dinobryon. Fottea 23: 201 – 207.

8. Lewis ASL, BS Kim, HL Edwards, HL Wander, CM Garfield, HE Murphy, ND Poulin, SD

Princiotta, KC Rose, AE Taylor, KC Weathers, CR Wigdahl-Perry, K Yokota, DC Richardson,
and DA Bruesewitz (2020) Prevalence of phytoplankton limitation by both nitrogen and
phosphorus related to nutrient stoichiometry, land use, and primary producer biomass across the
northeastern United States. Inland Waters 10: 42 – 50.

7. Princiotta SD, SP Hendricks, and DS White (2019) Production of cyanotoxins by Microcystis

aeruginosa mediates interactions with the mixotrophic flagellate Cryptomonas. Toxins (special
issue on Environmental Drivers of Algal and Cyanobacterial Toxin Dynamics), 11: 223.

6. Winslow LA, TH Hahn*, SD Princiotta, TH Leach, and KC Rose (2018) Characterizing

hydrologic networks: Developing a tool to enable research of macroscale aquatic networks.
Environmental Modelling and Software 104: 94 – 101.

5. Princiotta SD and RW Sanders (2017) Heterotrophic and mixotrophic nanoflagellates in a

mesotrophic lake: abundance and grazing impact across season and depth. Limnology and
Oceanography 62: 632 – 644.

4. Papacostas KJ, EW Reilly, SE Georgian, D Long, SD Princiotta, AM Quattrini, KE Reuter,

and AL Freestone (2017) Biological characteristics of marine invasions. Marine Ecology
Progress Series 565: 251 – 268.

3. Princiotta SD, BT Smith*, and RW Sanders (2016) Temperature-dependent phagotrophy and

phototrophy in a mixotrophic chrysophyte. Journal of Phycology 52: 432 – 440

2. Cooke SL, JM Fischer, K Kessler, CE Williamson, RW Sanders, DP Morris, JA Porter, WH

Jeffrey, SD Princiotta, and D Pakulski (2014) Direct and indirect effects of additions of
chromophoric dissolved organic matter on zooplankton during large-scale mesocosm
experiments in an oligotrophic lake. Freshwater Biology 60: 2362 – 2378

1. Heinze AW, CL Truesdale, SB DeVaul (Princiotta), J Swinden, and RW Sanders (2013) The
role of temperature in the vertical distribution, growth, and grazing rates of the mixotrophic
chrysophyte Dinobryon. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 71: 155 – 163

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EXTERNAL FUNDING

2022 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental

Education Program
PLEON Lake School: Empowering Evidence-Based Lake Stewardship in
Northeastern Pennsylvania
PI: B. Norman, co-PIs: L. Adkins, E. Carroll, S. Princiotta., K. Strock, K.
Yokota

2022 Robert Estabrook Moeller Research Fellow Award, Lacawac Sanctuary

Biological Field Station
Biological Drivers of Cyanobacteria Blooms
PI: S. Princiotta

2022 AQUACOSM Transnational Access, AQUACOSM-plus

Mixotrophy under ice: Importance during Transition from Winter to
Spring.
PI: U. Berninger, co-PIs: M. Bengtsson, S. Princiotta, S. Wilken

2020 Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center State-Focused USGS

104b Grant, Penn State University
Integrating Water Quality and Cyanotoxin Production to Combat Harmful
Algal Blooms
PI: S. Princiotta, co-PI: B. Norman

2020 Commonwealth Campuses Research Collaboration Development Grant,

Penn State University
Predator Prey Interactions in a Green Microbial World
PI: S. Princiotta

2020 AQUACOSM Transnational Access, AQUACOSM

Shining a Light on Grazing by Mixotrophic Phytoplankton
PI: S. Princiotta, co-PIs: M. Bengtsson, R. Ptacnik, E. Smeti, S. Wilken.

2019 AQUACOSM Transnational Access, AQUACOSM

Quantifying the Contribution of Mixotrophs to Aquatic Ecosystem
Processes
PI: S. Wilken, co-PIs: M. Bengtsson, R. Fischer, S. Princiotta, R. Ptacnik

2017 Environmental Education Grant Program, PA Department of

Environmental Protection
Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network
PI: S. Princiotta

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HONORS, AWARDS, & FELLOWSHIPS

2023 Excellence in Research or Creative Accomplishments Award, Penn State

Schuylkill
2022 Early Career Researcher Travel Grant, Association for the Sciences of
Limnology and Oceanography
2017 Early Career Travel Grant, Organization of Biological Field Stations
2015 Harold C. Bold Award for best oral presentation by a graduate student,
Phycological Society of America
2015 Robert T. Wilce Award for best oral presentation by a graduate student,
Northeast Algal Society
2015 Hannah T. Croasdale Fellowship to broaden phycological training,
Phycological Society of America
2014 Punnett Memorial Scholarship for outstanding graduate students majoring
in biology or biochemistry, College of Science and Technology, Temple
University
2014 Award for Outstanding Service to Students in Science, Pennsylvania
Future Farmers of America
2013 – 2015 Graduate Stem Fellowship in K-12 Education (GK-12), National Science
Foundation

INVITED PRESENTATIONS & SEMINARS

2022 Invited Seminar, Ecological Implications of Mixotrophic Nutrition. George

Mason University, Environmental Science and Policy Seminar Series, Fairfax VA

2022 Invited Keynote, The Spectrum of Mixotrophic Strategies as Demonstrated within

the Chrysophyceae. 10th International Chrysophyte Symposium, Essen Germany

2022 Invited Seminar, Can Mixotrophic Protists Graze the Boom? Rowan University,
Environmental Science Departmental Seminar, Glassboro NJ

2021 Invited Presentation (virtual), The Microbial World of Your Lake. Lacawac
Sanctuary Biological Field Station, Summer Workshop Series, Lake Ariel PA

2021 Guest Lecture (virtual), Cyanobacteria Traits as Tools in the Aquatic

Management Toolbox. Penn State University at University Park, ERM13 (Case
Studies in Ecosystem Management)

2019 Invited Seminar, Microbial Food Web Dynamics in a Green Microbial World.
Austin Peay State University, Center of Excellence for Field Biology and
Department of Biology, Honors Seminar Series, Clarksville TN

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2019 Invited Seminar, Toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa mediates biotic interactions
within the Microbial Food Web. Northern Kentucky University, Department of
Biological Sciences, BioSci Seminar Series, Highland Heights KY

2018 Invited Seminar, Blue-green Algae Blooms: A Global Problem in Your Backyard.
Kentucky Sierra Club, Meeting of the Great Rivers Chapter, Murray KY

2017 Invited Seminar, A Tale of Two Trophies: Mixotrophy in Freshwater Food Webs.
Drexel University, Department of Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science
Seminar Series, Philadelphia PA

2016 Invited Seminar, Lacawac Sanctuary’s Vision for Citizen Science in the Poconos.
Annual Meeting of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Trenton NJ

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS (first author only)

Princiotta SD, T Harris, D Holen, and J Kellogg. Evaluation of biological interactions between
heterotrophic and mixotrophic nanoflagellates with toxic cyanobacteria. Northeast Algal
Symposium, Mystic CT. April 2023.

Princiotta SD, A VanKuren, CE Williamson, RW Sanders, and M Valiñas. Influence of nutrient

enrichment and light attenuation on bacterivory by mixotrophic nanoflagellates in a dystrophic
lake. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids MI. May 2022.

Princiotta SD, SP Hendricks, and DS White. Biotic interactions between a bloom-forming

cyanobacteria and a planktonic protist: Implications for toxin production. Kentucky Water
Resources Annual Symposium, Lexington KY. March 2019.

Princiotta SD, SP Hendricks, and DS White. Can mixotrophic protists graze the bloom?
Trophic interactions between a phagotrophic phytoflagellate and a toxin-producing
cyanobacteria. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico. February 2019.

Princiotta SD, J Brentrup, RW Sanders, and CE Williamson. What lies beneath: Integrating
automated sensor technologies in aquatic ecology to explore vertical plankton dynamics.
Northeastern Ecosystem Research Cooperative, Saratoga Springs NY. March 2017.

Princiotta SD. A citizen science approach to water quality in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Lake Management Society, State College PA. February 2017.

DeVaul (Princiotta) SB and RW Sanders. Vertical distribution of mixotrophic protists in a

mesotrophic lake. Northeast Algal Symposium, Westfield MA. April 2016.

DeVaul (Princiotta) SB and RW Sanders. Spatial and temporal dynamics of mixotrophic

protists within a protected glacial lake. ASLO Ocean Sciences, New Orleans LA. February
2016.

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DeVaul (Princiotta) SB and RW Sanders. Striking a balance between phototrophy and
heterotrophy in the mixotrophic chrysophyte Dinobryon. Phycological Society of America,
Philadelphia PA. August 2015.
*Awarded Harold C. Bold award for best oral presentation

DeVaul (Princiotta) SB and RW Sanders. Temperature-dependent phagotrophy and

phototrophy in a mixotrophic chrysophyte. Northeast Algal Symposium, Syracuse NY. April
2016.
*Awarded Robert T. Wilce award for best oral presentation

TEACHING AND MENTORING

Instructor of Record
2019 - current Penn State Schuylkill, Department of Science, Engineering, and
Technology, Schuylkill Haven PA
Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity (BIOL 110)
Elementary Microbiology (MICRB 106)
Seeds of Change: Uses of Plants (BIOL 424)
Symbiosis (BIOL 406)
Introductory Microbiology Laboratory (MICRB 202)
Introductory Microbiology Lecture (MICRB 201)
General Ecology (BIOL 463)
Teaching in Biology (BIOL 400)

2017 Penn State Worthington Scranton, Biology Program, Dunmore PA

Biology: Molecules and Cells (BIOL 230W)
Biological Sciences: Genetics, Ecology, and Evolution (BISC 002)

2016 Temple University, Department of Biology, Philadelphia PA

Experimental Marine Biology (BIOL 3244)

Graduate Teaching Assistant

2010 – 2016 Temple University, Department of Biology, Philadelphia PA
Introduction to Biology (BIOL 1111)
Marine Ecology (BIOL 3245)
Principles of Ecology (BIOL 2227)
Human Biology (BIOL 1001)

Undergraduate Mentorship (Research) – Pennsylvania State Schuylkill

2020 - current V. Sleva (2022 – 2023), A. Gavalis (2021 – 2023), C. Goggin (2020 -
2021), K. Baney (2020 - 2021), I. McGowen (2020)

Prior to Employment at Pennsylvania State Schuylkill

2018 – 2019 Hancock Biological Station, NSF Research Experience for
Undergraduates (M. Franklin)

2017 Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station, Undergraduate Research

Internship Program (N. Kremp, D. Valle, C. Wildenstein)

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 Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field Station, Pocono Lake Ecological
Observatory Network, Undergraduate Internship Program (A. Saul, L.
Williamson)

2014 – 2016 Temple University, President’s Scholar Program (J. Angeles, E. Nealon,
T. Nguyen)

2012 – 2015 Temple University, Undergraduate Research Program (J. Lepkowski, B.

Smith)

Undergraduate Mentorship (Learning Assistants)

2020 - current Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity (BIOL 110)
J. Devlin (2020), C. Goggin (2021), L. Johns (2021), V. Sleva (2022), A.
Gavalis (2022), S. Palacz (2022), S. Spolski (2023), S. Tran (2023)

SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION

2022 - current Elected Position in Executive Committee (Secretary), Northeast Algal

Society
2022 Panelist, Professional Development Session, Annual Meeting of NE
Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (NE GLEON)
2021 - current Member, Penn State Schuylkill Faculty Speakers Bureau for High Schools
2021 Judge, Penn State Eastern Regional Undergraduate Research Symposium
2021 Panelist, National Science Foundation
2018 – current Scientific Advisory Board, Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network
2016 – 2017 Chief scientist, Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network: water
quality monitoring and environmental education in Northeastern
Pennsylvania
2017 Organizing Committee, Northeast Global Ecological Observatory
Network Annual Meeting, Millbrook NY
2016 – 2017 Chair, Science Committee, Lacawac Sanctuary and Biological Field
Station
2016 Organizer, 5th Annual Ecology Conference of Lacawac Sanctuary
Biological Field Station, Lake Ariel PA
2016 Invited Participant, Planning Workshop for the Daniel Smiley Research
Center, New Paltz NY
2016 Participant, Women in STEM Symposium, Lacawac Sanctuary and
Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance, Pocono Mountains PA
2013 Program facilitator and mentor, Scholar Advancement Program, Temple
University Office of Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising

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Manuscript Review: ISME, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Functional Ecology, Limnology and
Oceanography, Nature Scientific Reports, Journal of Chemical Ecology, Journal of Hydrology,
Marine Environmental Research, Aquatic Microbial Ecology, Water

Proposal Review: USGS Water Resources Center, NSF

Associate Editorship: Northeastern Naturalist

Professional Societies: Phycological Society of America, Northeast Algal Society

NON-TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA

Biology professor conducts aquatic microbe research in Sweden (April 2022) Penn State News

Biology fieldwork produces faculty and student authored research at Schuylkill (January 2022)
Penn State News

Schuylkill professor studies algae to help predict and prevent toxic freshwater (April 2021) Penn
State News

Princiotta SD (2019) Hey kids, don’t feed the wildlife: the dark side of biophilia. Limnology and
Oceanography Bulletin, Meeting Highlights.