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Dr. Bianca Wentzell

Dean of the School of STEM, Associate Professor of Biology | School of STEM

Bianca smiling in lab
Phone: 845-398-4196
Email: bwentzel@stac.edu
Office Location: Spellman Hall 105 B
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BIO

Dr. Wentzell received her B.S. in Biology from Siena College in 2010 and her Ph.D. in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2014. She conducted postdoctoral work at Montclair State University and Kean University prior to arriving at St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2017. She specializes in studying human impact in wetland ecosystems, remediation of contaminated water using aquatic plants, and wetland restoration. Dr. Wentzell became Interim Dean of the School of STEM in 2021, and the Dean in 2023.

“I am interested in learning about, protecting, and restoring wetland ecosystems, and specifically in understanding their plant communities. I also study a process called phytoremediation, which is using plants to remove contaminants from water or soil. I hope that my research will shed light on the importance of wetlands and the plants that inhabit them. I am always looking for students who are interested in learning about field work, wetlands, plant physiology, environmental chemistry, or who just want to learn about conducting scientific research. Do not hesitate to email or stop by my office in Spellman 105C to talk about research opportunities!”

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

Publications

Bianca M. Wentzell, Emile D. DeVito, Daniela J. Shebitz (2021) Effects of Restoration Strategies on Vegetation Establishment in Retired Cranberry Bogs. Plant Ecology 222: 897-913. DOI: 10.1007/s11258-021-01150-4

Bianca M. Wentzell, Charles W. Boylen, Sandra A. Nierzwicki-Bauer (2016) Wetland Ecosystem Comparison Using a Suite of Plant Assessment Measures. Ecological Indicators 67: 283-291. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.02.056

Bianca M. Pier, Brian R. Dresser, James J. Lee, Charles W. Boylen, Sandra A. Nierzwicki-Bauer (2015) Ecological Analysis Before and After Planting in a Constructed Wetland in the Adirondacks. Wetlands 35(3): 611-624. DOI: 10.1007/s13157-015- 0652-4

Bianca M. Pier (2014) Acclimation to and Mitigation of Anthropogenic Nutrients by Wetland Plants. Doctoral Dissertation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Presentations

Presentations

Elizabeth Collins, Bianca Wentzell (2021) The effect of Lemna minor addition on Selenastrum capricornutum growth and nutrient reduction in eutrophic water. Ignite: 6th Annual Art, Design and Scholarship Exhibition. St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY

Elizabeth Collins, Bianca Wentzell (2020) Using duckweed to reduce algal blooms in eutrophic water. Ignite: 5th Annual Art, Design and Scholarship Exhibition. St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY

Bianca Wentzell, Emile DeVito, Daniela Shebitz (2019) Assessing restoration strategies for retired cranberry bogs in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Society of Wetland Scientists International Conference. Baltimore, MD

Rob Hornberger, Bianca Wentzell (2019) Microplastic accumulation in wetlands of the Sparkill watershed. Ignite: 4th Annual Art, Design and Scholarship Exhibition. St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY

Alexa Massari, Bianca Wentzell (2018) An assessment of pond health at Sugar Pond in Hastings-On-Hudson. Ignite: 4th Annual Art, Design and Scholarship Exhibition. St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY

Rob Hornberger, Bianca Wentzell (2018) Microplastics contamination within the Hudson River watershed. Hudson River Symposium. SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Adam Dore, Bianca Wentzell (2018) Environmental impact of land use in Rockland County on aquatic ecosystems. Ignite: 3rd Annual Art, Design and Scholarship Exhibition. St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY

COURSES TAUGHT

General Biology I and II, Ecology, Plant Biology, Current Environmental Issues

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