Sanders Lab

Sarah Hamsher, previously at the University of Colorado, Boulder has joined the lab. Her research interests revolve around the evolutionary relationships of eukaryotic microorganisms – especially diatoms.

Research Faculty Position Has Been Filled 

The Ecological Impact of Mixotrophic Algae in a Changing Arctic Climate

A 2-year non-tenure track research position is available starting as early as February 1, 2017 as part of a project investigating Arctic protists that have the ability to use both photosynthetic and heterotrophic nutrition (mixotrophs). The goals of the project are to: 1) study the physiology of different algal groups that have been identified as mixotrophic and occur in the Arctic seas; this includes an examination of how changes in irradiance, temperature and dissolved nutrients affect photosynthesis versus bacterivory; 2) evaluate differential gene expression using RNAseq methods in cultures where grazing is high versus low for a subset of species from each of the major groups; and 3) relate grazing rates to the abundance of the Arctic species determined using qPCR and environmental DNA samples previously collected throughout the Arctic to estimate grazing impact by mixotrophs in the polar ecosystem.

The researcher will join a team lead by Robert Sanders (Temple University) and Rebecca Gast (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), and will work with Arctic cultures in laboratory-based experiments. Basic qualifications are a PhD in aquatic ecology, biological oceanography or a related field. Experience in protistan/ phytoplankton biology, including culturing, is expected. Previous training in molecular techniques and/or bioinformatics is highly preferred, but not required. The position will be based at Temple University in Philadelphia PA, but the researcher will also work closely with the Gast laboratory in Woods Hole MA. To apply please send an application letter, curriculum vitae and names of at least three professional references to Bob Sanders. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Temple University is an equal opportunity, equal access, affirmative action employer committed to achieving a diverse community (AA, EOE, m/f/d/v).

Collaborative Research: The ecological impact of mixotrophic algae in a changing Arctic marine climate. National Science Foundation, Arctic Natural Sciences. Co-PIs: R.J. Gast (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and R.W. Sanders. 2016-2019.

Brian Smith, who was an undergraduate volunteer in the lab, is starting in the MS program in Marine Science & Technology at University of Massachusetts in September. Congratulations to Brian !

Sarah has accepted a position a as Director of Research and Education at the Lacawac Sanctuary & Biological Field Station in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. She starts July 1. Congratulations Sarah!

May 6, 2016 – Drs. Sanders & DeVaul Princiotta

Sarah gave a talk at the annual meeting of the Northeast Algal Society in April 2016 (Vertical distribution of mixotrophic nanoflagellates in a mesotrophic lake; S. DeVaul & R. Sanders). Bob presented a poster of Zaid’s last dissertation chapter (Competitive interactions of two Antarctic mixotrophs with either phototrophic or phagotrophic specialists; Z. McKie-Krisberg & R. Sanders).

Zaid has been awarded an NSF Postdoctoral Research Grant entitled: “A Systems Approach to Investigations of Light Independent C4 Type Carbon Fixation in Green Algae.”

Sarah presented some of her Ph.D. work on mixotrophy at the winter meeting (February 21-26) of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) . Bob presented work from his last ocean voyage in the Antarctic with Rebecca Gast of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. There are also a number of graduate students from the Cordes lab that presented at the meeting.

At the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Phycological Society of America, which happened to be in Philadelphia this year, Sarah was awarded the Bold Award for the best graduate student talk during the conference. Her talk was entitled “Striking a Balance between Phototrophy and Heterotrophy in the Mixotrophic Chrysophyte Dinobryon sp.” Congrats to Sarah!

The lab will have three presentations at the Phycological Society of America annual meeting that is taking place in Philadelphia this month.

Sarah DeVaul has an oral presentation entitled: Striking a balance between phototrophy and heterotrophy in the mixotrophic chrysophyte Dinobryon sp.;

Grier Sellers talk with Rebecca Gast (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is entitled: Dark survival and recovery of a foreign organelle-retaining dinoflagellate and its haptophyte prey and plastid source following a simulated austral winter

and Bob Sanders will present a poster by Zaid McKie-Krisberg, Rebecca Gast and Bob Sanders entitled:  Gene expression and gene ontology in two species of mixotrophic Antarctic phytoplankton.

Sarah had a busy week. While she was at the Northeast Algal Society Symposium giving a talk and winning awards, she learned that she had received the Hannah T. Coasdale Fellowship from the Phycological Society of America to cover some of her costs toward attending a workshop on Molecular Methods for Algae Research offered by The Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban, Scotland.

Sarah attended the Northeast Algal Society Symposium in Syracuse, NY and received an NEAS Travel Award plus the Robert T. Wilce Award for Best Graduate Student Presentation. Her talk was: “Temperature-Dependent Phagotrophy and Phototrophy in a Mixotrophic Chrysophyte.”