New Board Member Joins Keys History and Discovery Foundation

Islamorada, FL – Michael P. Crosby, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory (Mote), has joined the Board of Directors of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation. The not-for-profit organization formed in 2013 to develop and operate the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center.

Crosby was appointed to the leadership position of Mote, based in Sarasota, Fla., in May 2013, after spending three years as Mote’s Senior Vice President of Research. Mote is an independent research institution that has been a leader in marine research for 60 years. Previously Crosby spent time Associate Vice President for Research at George Mason University and Vice Chancellor for Research at University of Hawaii-Hilo, and he held several positions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Crosby has led major national and international multi-discipline, multi-year research projects, and has published more than 50 articles in professional and scientific trade journals. He received his Ph.D. from University of Maryland, and his B.S., M.S. from Old Dominion University.

“With the addition of Crosby and Mote, the Foundation and the Discovery Center is in a better position for statewide, national and international attention,” said Foundation President Rich Russell. “We are all looking forward to a long and mutually productive relationship between Mote and the FKHDC.”

Mote had previously joined the Charter Club Membership, committing $10,000 over the course of five years, to the growth and development of the Discovery Center, and has loaned the Discovery Center two traveling exhibits, Discovery Reef and Sanctuary Reef, on display now through Feb. 28, 2016.

“I am honored to serve as a Board member and I’m excited to help the Foundation achieve its goals for the mission of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center,” Crosby said. “This is a wonderful partnership opportunity for two organizations whose missions dovetail nicely. At Mote, we work to study and address the grand challenges facing marine ecosystems in the Keys and worldwide, and we plan to grow our impact by constructing a new, state-of-the-art research facility on Summerland Key in 2016. We’ve recognized that the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation also seeks to expand their positive impacts focused on Keys culture, history and ecology, and we honor and support that.”

The Center is in Islamorada, MM 82, located at the Islander Resort, and is open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $12. Admission for seniors is $10 and children 13 and under are free. Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization operating the Keys History & Discovery Center. For more information, call 305-922-2237 or visit our website at www.keysdiscovery.com.

Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys.

Mote is dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.

Contact: Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. (941) 388-4441 or info@mote.org.