With a career spanning more than 25 years, and including over 100 peer reviewed publications, Dr. Cynthia Heil is renowned around the world as a thought-leader and expert in the science and management of marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom species and water quality. 

In 2018, with support from the Andrew and Judith Economos Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory established its Red Tide Institute with a mission to reduce adverse impacts of red tide on public health, coastal marine ecosystems and Florida’s economy via the rigorous testing and application of science-based mitigation and control technologies and strategies. That same year, with support from The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Mote was able to recruit Dr. Heil as the Institute’s first Director.

In her first year leading this new Mote institute, Dr. Heil helped secure a $5-million, competitive, peer-reviewed grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ECOHAB program to investigate factors in the expansion and termination of red tides in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 

In addition to an ongoing and broad array of individual accomplishments, Dr. Heil and the team at the Red Tide Institute have provided critical support for the Mote-led Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative which was established in 2019, by the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron Desantis, to form an independent and coordinated effort among public and private research entities to develop prevention, control and mitigation technologies and approaches that will decrease the impacts of red tide on the environment, economy and quality of life in Florida.

About the Lab

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium was founded in 1955 by world-famous shark 
researcher Dr. Eugenie “Genie” Clark.

Today, Mote’s 27 research programs and 6 centers of excellence span the globe and range from aquaculture research to coral reef restoration in the Florida Keys to efforts to conserve shark populations in countries around the world.  

Science will be the attraction at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), currently being constructed at Nathan Benderson Park.

Within MOTE SEA, three STEM teaching labs, focused on marine ecology, biomedical research and ocean technology, will provide K-12 students in Sarasota and Manatee Counties the opportunity to engage with Mote educators and scientists at no cost to schools or families.

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236
mote.org
941-388-4441