Dr. Sarah Princiotta poses in a biology lab located on the Penn State Schuylkill campus.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Sarah Princiotta, a dedicated educator, researcher and community advocate, has been promoted to associate professor of biology at Penn State Schuylkill. The promotion recognizes her achievements in teaching, research and service, and her commitment to fostering scientific identity among students and the broader community.
Princiotta teaches a range of courses that support the campus’ biology and nursing degree programs and leads innovative, student-centered instruction grounded in collaboration, active learning and formative assessment. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of building a community of learners, where students are encouraged to explore scientific concepts through primary literature, real-world problems and open discussions.
“A guiding principle for my research, teaching and service is to cultivate scientific identity — the perception of one’s competence in science,” said Princiotta. “Scientific identity is essential for pursuing further education and becoming scientifically literate, and I aim to help all students see themselves as scientists.”
Her work is especially impactful in introductory biology and microbiology courses, which she said she sees as gateways to scientific careers. During remote learning, she adapted her curriculum by creating video demonstrations and interactive online materials, and developed new assessments like the “microbial MythBusters” assignment, where students investigate common microbiology misconceptions using scientific literature.
In the research sphere, Princiotta is an accomplished aquatic microbial ecologist, with a focus on mixotrophic protists and harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Her work explores how microscopic organisms interact within freshwater ecosystems and how those relationships are affected by climate change. She has published six peer-reviewed papers, led international fieldwork in Austria and Sweden, and co-organized a special issue on mixotrophy for the Journal of Plankton Research. Her research frequently involves undergraduate students as collaborators, including co-authors on scientific manuscripts and grant proposals.
“Dr. Princiotta is a dedicated teacher and an emerging leader in her field whose research connects local communities to global environmental issues,” said Cory Scherer, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill. “Her promotion is a well-deserved recognition of her excellence across all areas of faculty responsibility.”
Beyond the classroom and lab, Princiotta leads the Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program and has served on numerous campus committees supporting student success and faculty development. She is also actively involved in public science outreach. As a founding member of the Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network (PLEON), she collaborates with community scientists to monitor lake health and promote environmental stewardship. A recent initiative, “Lake School,” offers hands-on water quality training for community members and continues to expand its reach across Pennsylvania.
Looking ahead, Princiotta plans to expand her research on microbial food webs and toxin biodegradation, while continuing to mentor students and support initiatives that connect scientific research with public engagement.
“I look forward to helping students grow into thoughtful, capable scientists who are prepared to shape the future of STEM," Princiotta said.
