Around Town | Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium President & CEO

By Julie Milton | Photo by Nancy Guth | May 2024

Sporting a natty sea captain’s beard, the man at the helm of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium not only looks like he came right out of central casting, but he is the perfect choice to steer what is a vitally important global ark of marine science and technology. 

Dr. Michael Crosby has worked tirelessly and successfully for more than a decade to expand and solidify Mote’s role as a global leader of science, leading the best and brightest minds in marine science and engineering to solve the major challenges of our oceans and coastal ecosystems. His goal is for Southwest Florida to soon be the Silicon Valley of Science & Technology, and he needs the generosity of many to push the frontiers of marine science and achieve his vision.   

We are thankful Dr. Crosby graciously agreed to take time from his busy schedule to answer our questions, so please, dive in!

You are celebrating your 11th year as Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium President & CEO, and your 14th year with the organization.  With so many diverse research projects and educational programs at Mote under your leadership, please share what you believe are the top three most important and why. I am deeply honored and privileged to serve as the President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. The most important facet of Mote is not its diverse research projects and educational programs, although they are so impactful in addressing the need for enhancing the levels of ocean literary amongst the public and addressing so many of the grand challenges facing our oceans. Rather, it is the people who I am blessed to work with and have as part of the Mote family culture. Together, the Mote family of trustees, staff, volunteers, and members have indeed grown Mote into a global powerhouse of diverse and innovative marine research and science education that is focused on rescuing, restoring, conserving, and sustainably using the species and habitats of our shared ocean and coastal ecosystems. Each person in our Mote family shares a passion for and contributes uniquely to furthering Mote’s vital mission and goals. Just as it would be impossible for a father to choose one of his children over another, it is not possible for me to select a “top three” from 27 diverse research programs, nine centers of excellence or over 60 science education programs. I am equally proud of the people and impacts of them all. It’s through the collective efforts of all our dedicated scientists, educators, and supporters that Mote continues to make meaningful strides in better understanding and protecting our marine and coastal ecosystems.

Mote is the number one revenue-generating cultural nonprofit in our region with eight operational campuses from Tampa Bay to Key West and a ninth campus under construction (Mote SEA), over 40 PhD-level scientists, more than 300 staff members, 1,300 volunteers, and 10,000 members.  What are the complexities and rewards of running such a large and diverse operation? WI am proud that Mote was recently named the #1 revenue-generating cultural nonprofit in the entire Tampa Bay region, as it reflects the dedication, passion, and impact of our entire Mote family. My job is to help provide a vision, support, and encouragement to everyone across incredibly diverse, energetic, and complex programs, project and initiatives that cohesively are the essential components of one of the most unique and impactful independent marine research, science education and public outreach enterprises in the world. Successfully attracting and nurturing some of the best minds in marine science, technology, education, and animal husbandry who come from diverse perspectives and backgrounds to join in furthering the mission of Mote is rewarding. Delegating responsibility and empowering the individual creativity of our staff across and amongst our broad suite of programs that are part of a broader shared mission helps build a synergy that produces impacts far beyond what single isolated projects can achieve. It sparks creativity, fosters innovation, and enriches culture, ultimately deepening society’s understanding of the world’s oceans. Collaboration across multiple campuses further cultivates that synergy, which enhances research endeavors and educational initiatives. As a result, Mote makes substantial contributions to scientific progress, conservation efforts, and community engagement, leaving a tangible mark on both local and global scales. 

While I now spend far more time enabling others to do great science, I am rewarded by living vicariously through their successes. However, there is one research activity I insist on making sure I actively engage each year and that is also one of the most rewarding professional experiences for me – joining with the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) in our annual dive operations coral restoration mission. The men and women of the CWVC are patriots who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we all enjoy in this country. I consider it an honor and privilege to be a part of their new mission in restoring coral reefs with Mote. It also provides me great joy to be able to facilitate the additional engagement of SCUBAnauts International with our Mote-CWVC restoration effort each year. This next generation of 12-18-year-olds gains informal science education through underwater exploration and gain such great insights to live by being part of this collaboration with our CWVC. Together, through this very special component of Mote’s Coral Reef Research and Restoration Program, we are deploying science-based strategies to restore depleted coral reefs in our lifetime and achieve so much more.

Mote’s ninth campus, Mote SEA (Science Education Aquarium), is being built in Nathan Benderson Park just off I-75 between Sarasota and Manatee. It will become Mote’s new public aquarium and the current aquarium on City Island will become an enhanced international research park. Please give us an update on Mote SEA and what it means for our area and beyond. Mote SEA will embody Mote’s vision of Oceans for All, doubling the number of visitors whose lives are enriched by marine science each year and providing no-cost opportunities for 70,000 students from Sarasota and Manatee County schools to utilize specialized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teaching labs to ensure that every child has hands-on marine science and technology experiential learning opportunities.

Mote SEA will not just deepen students’ education—it will also help bridge gaps between education and careers through four Workforce Development Labs on the second and third floors: the Aquaculture and Fisheries Lab, Conservation Lab, Coral Lab, and Veterinary Clinic and Diagnostic Center.  

In these labs, interns and program participants including high schoolers, undergraduate and graduate students will gain technical skills, hands-on research experience, and career-building networking opportunities by working alongside Mote scientist mentors on their ongoing projects.

The rebirth of Mote’s public aquarium as a Science Education Aquarium on the mainland will significantly amplify our ability to provide science education and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to a much larger and more diverse population throughout Florida and from around the world. Mote SEA will be a highly visible gateway to our community that will ensure ‘Oceans for All’ for our teachers, our children, and the next generation of leaders in marine science and technology.

It is anticipated that the certificate of occupancy (C.O.)—a formal approval from Sarasota County certifying that Mote SEA meets all required construction requirements and is safe for occupation—will be applied for in late summer 2024 and with Mote SEA set to open in Winter 2024, it’s an exciting time for our community as we look forward to this amazing addition to our community and beyond.

Now a question top of mind for many in our area—red tide. At its Red Tide Institute, Mote has been working on ways to lessen harmful red tide (algal) blooms.  Please tell us about the progress, what we may expect, and ways we can help. Mote’s Florida Red Tide Mitigation & Technology Development Initiative has been leading innovative solutions to mitigating harmful red tide blooms, a pressing concern for Gulf of Mexico coastal communities, since its inception in 2019.

Through the Initiative, Mote developed a multi-tiered process to safely develop and test mitigation tools and technologies taking proposals from literature research or lab-based work, to incrementally larger tank-based research testing to ensure no harm to non-target species of fish, crustacean and other invertebrates, to eventual field testing, all while considering regulatory compliance and numerous commercialization challenges for actual use.

Since the inception of the Initiative, Mote has examined well over 300 compounds and devices and more than 35 projects have been completed or are underway. Mote has guided the science while also assisting with ten separate federal and state agency regulatory requirements, aligning aerial, submerged, vessel, and shoreline deployment technologies, and beginning the commercialization connections to public and private entities for field testing.

The goal for 2024 is to complete all mesocosm and raceway testing, secure all regulatory approvals and field testing, and guide commercialization.

Securing research grants and philanthropic support for marine research and education is vital. For research grants, how is Mote faring and how competitive is it to secure important research grants?Mote is first and foremost a global research enterprise, but with a much bigger purpose than simply applying for and being awarded grants and writing peer-review publications for science journals. We seek to also translate and transfer our research to address many of the grand challenges our ocean and coastal ecosystems are facing, to serve as the foundation for expanding a science-based economy, to improve the quality of life in our communities, and to enhance the overall level of ocean literacy across the broader public.

Over half of Mote’s approximately $38 million FY2024 annual operating budget results from our scientists securing competitive research and technology development grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements from various funding agencies.As a completely independent, nonprofit non-government institution, and unlike government research agencies and universities, Mote has no guaranteed state or federal funding for operations and no guaranteed or tenured staff positions. In addition, most government research funding agencies tend to view paradigm challenging ideas as high risk, while at Mote we instead have the strong culture of viewing such ideas as visionary and potentially transformative in nature. Therefore, philanthropy will always be the vital fuel for Mote innovation that allows us to continually challenge existing paradigms of marine science and technology. Philanthropy provides Mote with the independence, freedom and strength that enable us to take a vision and make it reality.

When it comes to local philanthropic support, Mote has some of the most recognized local philanthropists as passionate supporters. For new people moving here, please share why it is so important to become a Mote supporter for today, tomorrow and for generations to come. We truly and deeply value the philanthropic support we receive from our community, and without that support Mote would not have been named the #1 revenue-generating cultural nonprofit in the entire Tampa Bay region. Becoming a Mote supporter holds immense significance for newcomers and longtime residents alike. The oceans are fundamental to sustaining life, providing vital resources, and regulating our climate. By supporting Mote, individuals directly contribute to advancing research-based solutions aimed at preserving and restoring our oceans. From ensuring marine biodiversity to addressing pressing environmental challenges, such as red tide, coral disease, and the recent unusual mortality event of the endangered smalltooth sawfish in the Florida Keys, Mote’s efforts have far-reaching impacts on our planet’s health and resilience. By supporting Mote, donors join a legacy of stewardship, safeguarding our oceans for present and future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

There are always special things happening for children at Mote Aquarium. What are some of the summer fun options this year?
Mote hosts an array of exciting summer options for children. Kids can dive into the wonders of the ocean through Mote Camps, which feature a range of engaging themes suitable for campers from kindergarten to 8th grade. From exploring marine life to hands-on activities, these camps offer a unique blend of education and adventure. 

Additionally, younger children aged 2 to 5 can participate in the monthly Shark Pups & Grownups programs. In these programs, they embark on ocean-themed adventures alongside their favorite adult, creating unforgettable memories while learning about marine ecosystems.

Mote also offers the Summer High School Volunteer Program (SHSVP) for students passionate about marine science and education. Open to current high school students or those entering high school in the upcoming year, this program provides an opportunity to earn service hour credits required for graduation while serving as Aquarium Guides, interpreting exhibits to guests.

Collaboration with other local nonprofits has been important for Mote. Please tell us about the special initiative underway between Mote, Selby Gardens, and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast have entered the third phase of Project Nature Bridge, an initiative to increase environmental literacy and increase appreciation and use of nature by the underrepresented and underserved area youth. It is funded by the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. Since 2018 this project has fostered transformative experiences in local youth through education and hands-on experiences. Mote and our partners provide expertise, guidance, additional training, and support in developing and implementing nature-focused programming. This approach is rooted in the research-supported idea that individuals who are not already strongly connected to nature view it as unsafe, uncomfortable, and not enjoyable. By creating positive nature experiences in a hyper-local context, youth participants will understand that nature is all around and not something you have to go to, resulting in more relevancy and a sense of belonging.

What is your dream for Mote 50 years from now? From our base of operations right here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, we now conduct research and engage in partnerships in all the world’s oceans. Over the last decade, Mote has achieved dramatic growth and impact with our national and internationally respected innovative research, experiential science education and public outreach. When we open the doors to Mote SEA in less than a year, we are transitioning into a new era of Mote’s globally significant marine research, science education and public outreach. Our focus as we enter this new era next year will be to initiate the evolution of Mote’s City Island research campus into a state-of-the-art, International Marine Science & Technology Innovation Park by adding or renovating 60,000 square feet of research infrastructure to our existing 40,000 square feet already existing on this campus. This will expand our global leadership in challenging existing paradigms of science to develop solutions for addressing grand challenges our oceans and coastal ecosystems are facing by attracting and nurturing the next generation of the best and brightest entrepreneurial minds in science, engineering, and innovations from Florida and around the world. Achieving this vision will have Mote becoming the catalyst in the next decade and beyond for the evolution of Southwest Florida into a Silicon Valley of Science & Technology through expansion of innovation opportunities for transitioning intellectual property to fuel environmentally sustainable economic growth and improve quality of life in our communities. 

Mote is pushing forward the frontiers of marine science and technology to positively impact the restoration, conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats, and natural resources in Florida and around the world – and with the continued support of our community, we will continue to do so for the next 50 years.

When you are not at Mote, what are some of your other interests?Even when I am not at Mote, I am never not always working to further the mission of Mote. However, I am truly blessed to have a beautiful loving wife of 41 years who makes me happiest when she smiles at me, and who gave me the best gift possible when she gave birth to our daughter, who in turn with her husband brought our wonderful grandson into this world, and I am so looking forward to having our grandson attend his first Mote summer camp later this year. My selfish pleasures are working up a sweat doing yardwork at home on a hot day, then relaxing in the evening by smoking a large La Gloria Cubana Serie R maduro wrapper cigar accompanied by a generous pour of straight bourbon, a pint of Guinness and/or a Finhead Lager while I grill a steak or fish on an old-school charcoal grill. I am at absolute peace when diving on a coral reef with perfect buoyancy so as to become one with the ocean while observing the behavior of a pair of obligate corallivore butterflyfish and a humpback whale sings off in the distance just beyond site.

For more information on Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, please visit mote.org.