Dr. Michael P. Crosby

Executive Office

President & CEO

Dr. Crosby has over 35 years of diverse research, teaching, science management and leadership endeavors. He has developed, managed and conducted major multi-disciplinary research project and partnerships with numerous universities, national and international science and resource management agencies, programs and committees. Many of these endeavors focused on improving the “synthesis, translation and transfer” of science and technical information between research, public policy and stakeholder communities.

In May 2013, after serving for three years as Mote’s Senior Vice President for Research, Dr. Crosby was appointed as President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, an independent research institution that has been a leader in marine science, education and public outreach for nearly 70 years. He has secured over $70 million in research grants along with over $200 million in philanthropic support for marine research and STEM education, published over 60 science manuscripts, edited several books, and his past leadership appointments include: Associate Vice President, Research and Economic Development, George Mason University; Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Hawai’i, Hilo; Executive Director, National Science Board of the National Science Foundation; Senior Advisor for International Science Policy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Executive Director for the NOAA Science Advisory Board; and Chief Scientist & National Research Coordinator at NOAA for all U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves. He has also held numerous faculty positions with the Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research at the University of South Carolina, the Department of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University, the Graduate Program at the University of Charleston, and Salisbury State University, as well as science positions with the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Cancer Institute-NIH.

Dr. Crosby has consistently been named as one of the 25 most influential executive leaders in life sciences for the State of Florida, is also Past-President for Sigma Xi-The Scientific Research Society, past Chair of the Florida Institute of Oceanography Council, Co-chair for the 2002 Middle East Regional Science Symposium and Workshop: Butterflyfish (Family Chaetodontidae) Research and Monitoring, Invited Keynote Speaker for the 2016 International Conference on the Marine Environment of the Red Sea (ICMERS), Invited Keynote Speaker for the 2022 International Conference on the Red Sea Ecosphere: Aspects of Conservation and Management of Red Sea Environment, Past-Chair of the Board for Southeast Coastal Ocean Observations Regional Association, and continues to serve on the Boards of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (Past-President), Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, Institute for Venture Science, and Pacific Congress on Marine Science and Technology (Past-President).

Education

Ph.D., University of Maryland
B.S., M.S., Old Dominion University

Publications

Ault, J.S., S.G. Smith, M.W. Johnson, J. Estes., J.A. Bohnsack, G.T. DiNardo, J.J.W. Grove, C. McLaughlin, V. McDonough, M.P. Seki, S.L. Miller, J. Luo, M.P. Crosby, G. Simpson, M.O. Nadon, M.W. Feeley, and A. Acosts. 2022. Length‐based Risk Analysis of Management Options for the southern Florida USA Multispecies Coral Reef Fish Fishery. Fisheries Research 249. doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106210

Crosby, M.P. 2022. Global Effect of the Satoumi Concept: Harmony of Human Society with the Ocean Biome. pp. 39-52. IN: Kakuma, S., T. Yanagi, and T. Sato (eds.). Satoumi Science. 272 pp. Ecological Research Monographs. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7491-4_3

Crosby, M.P. and B. Lausche. 2022. Models for Implementing the Satoumi Concept via Residential Research Institute Collaborations with Citizen Scientists in the United States. pp. 239-256. IN: Kakuma, S., T. Yanagi, and T. Sato (eds.) Satoumi Science. 272 pp. Ecological Research Monographs. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7491-4_13

Graham, J., G. Hodsdon, A. Busse and M.P. Crosby. 2022. BIPOC voices in ocean sciences: A qualitative exploration of factors impacting career retention. Journal of Geoscience Education. doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2022.2052553

Koch, H., E.M. Muller, and M.P. Crosby. 2021. Restored Corals Spawn Hope for Reefs Worldwide. The Scientist 35 (2): 24-31. https://www.the-scientist.com/features/restored-corals-spawn-hope-for-reefs-worldwide-68368

Al-Aidaroos, A.M., A.A.J. Kumar, A.E. Al-Haj, A.M. Al-Sofyani, M.P. Crosby, and M.M. El-Sherbiny. 2019. Morphology of the complete larval stages of Portunus segnis (Forskål, 1775) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba, Saudi Arabia. Zootaxa 4638 (2): 199-218. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4638.2.2

Al-Haj, A.E, A.A.J. Kumar, M.M. El-Sherbiny, A.M. Al-Sofyani, M.P. Crosby, and A.M. Al-Aidaroos. 2019. Descriptions of the first zoeas of ten xanthoidean crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Xanthidae) from the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Zootaxa 4686(3), DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4686.3.1

Devassy, R.P., M.M. El-Sherbiny, A.M. Al-Sofyani, M.P. Crosby, and A.M. Al-Aidaroos. 2019. Seasonality and latitudinal variability of diatom-cyanobacterial symbiotic relationships in the coastal waters of Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Symbiosis. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-019-00610-w

Crosby, M.P., Lausche, B., Culter, J. (2018). Community-Based Scallop Restoration: A Model for Knowledge Circulation Theory. In Sato, T., Chabay, I., Helgeson, J. (Eds.), Transformations of Social-Ecological Systems: Studies in Co-creating Integrated Knowledge Toward Sustainable (pp. 77-94). Springer, Singapore. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-2327-0_5

Crosby, M.P., E.S. Reese, and M.L. Berumen. 2013. Corallivorous Butterflyfish as Ambassadors of Coral Reefs. IN: The Biology of Butterflyfishes, M.S. Pratchett, M.L. Berumen and B.G. Kapoor, eds. Science Publishers Inc., Enfield, NH, USA. p. 244-266.

Crosby, M.P. 2007. Improving International Relations Through Marine Science Partnerships. IN: Law, Science & Ocean Management, M.H. Nordquist, R. Long, T.H. Heidar and J. Norton Moore, eds. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Leiden/Boston. p. 271-293.

Crosby, M.P., E.S. Reese and M. Khalaf (eds). 2005. Special Issue: Butterflyfish Research and Monitoring in the Middle East and Beyond; Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. John Wiley & Sons Interscience, West Sussex, UK. 141 pp.

Crosby, M.P. and E.S. Reese. 2005. Relationship of habitat stability and intra-specific population dynamics of an obligate corallivore butterflyfish. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 15:13-25.

Khalaf, M. and M.P. Crosby. 2005. Overview of the Middle East Regional Science Symposium and Workshop: Butterflyfish (Family Chaetodontidae) Research and Monitoring. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 15:3-11

Khalaf, M. and M.P. Crosby. 2005. Assemblage structure of Butterflyfishes and their use as indicators of Gulf of Aqaba benthic habitat in Jordan. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 15:27-43.

Shokri, M.R., S.M.R. Fatemi and M.P. Crosby. 2005. The Status of Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) in the Northern Persian Gulf, I.R. Iran. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 15:91-99.

Crosby, M.P. and J.M. Pomeroy. 2004. What Will It Take for the United States to Maintain Global Leadership in Discovery and Innovation? pp. 21-27. IN: Kelly, T.K, W.P. Butz, S. Carroll, D.M. Adamson, and G. Bloom (eds). The U.S. Scientific and Technical Workforce: Improving Data for Decision-making. Science and Technology Policy Institute, RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA.

Agardy, T., Bridgewater P., Crosby, M.P., Day, J, Dayton, P.K., Kenchington, R., Laffoley, D., McConney, P., Murray, P.A., Parks, J.E. and Peau, L. (2003). Dangerous targets? Unresolved 6 issues and ideological clashes around marine protected areas. Aquatic Conserv: Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 13:353-367.

Mazel, C.H., M.P. Strand, M.P. Lesser, M.P. Crosby, B. Coles, and A.J. Nevis. 2003. High-resolution determination of coral reef bottom cover from multispectral fluorescence laser line scan imagery. Limnol. and Oceanogr. 48:522-534.

Murray, P.A., N. Daves, and M.P. Crosby. 2003. Promoting long-term sustainable use and conservation of marine resources in the Eastern Caribbean – A regional collaborative project. 54th Proc. Gulf Carib. Fish Inst. 72-83.

Bohnsack, J.A., B. Causey, M.P. Crosby, R.B. Griffis, M.A. Hixon, T.F. Hourigan, K.H. Koltes, J.E. Maragos, A. Simons, and J.T. Tilmant. 2002. A rationale for minimum 20-30% no-take protection. Proceedings of the 9th International Coral Reef Symposium. 615-620.

Crosby, M.P., G. Brighous, M. Pichon. 2002. Priorities and strategies for addressing natural and anthropogenic threats to coral reefs in Pacific Island Nations. Ocean Coastl. Manag. 45:121-137.

Crosby, M.P., B. Al-Bashir, M. Badran, S. Dweiri,, R. Ortal, M. Ottolenghi, A. Perevolotsky. 2002. The Red Sea Marine Peace Park: Early lessons learned from a unique trans-boundary cooperative research, monitoring and management program. Proceedings of the fourth conference on the Protected Areas of East Asia – Benefits Beyond Boundaries in East Asia, March 18-23, 2002, Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan. p. 233-248.

Crosby, M.P., A. Abu-Hilal, A. Al-Homoud, J. Erez, and R. Ortal. 2000. Interactions among scientists, managers and the public in defining research priorities and management strategies for marine and coastal resources: Is the Red Sea Marine Peace Park a new paradigm? Water, Air and Soil Pollution 123: 581-594.

Crosby, M.P., R. Bohne and K. Geenen. 2000. Alternative access management strategies for marine and coastal protected areas: A reference manual for their development and assessment. U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program. Washington, DC. 164 pp.

Loya, Y., S.M. Al-Moghrabi, M. Ilan and M.P. Crosby. 1999. The Red Sea Marine Peace Park Coral Reef Benthic Communities: Ecology and Biology monitoring program. pp. 239-250. IN: Maragos, J.E. and R. Grober-Dunsmore (eds). Proceedings of the Hawai'i Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop, June 9-11, 1998, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Government.

Reese, E.S. and M.P. Crosby.1999. The use of indicator species for coral reef monitoring. pp. 121-128. IN: Maragos, J.E. and R. Grober-Dunsmore (eds). Proceedings of the Hawai'i Coral Reef Monitoring Workshop, June 9-11, 1998, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Division of Aquatic Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Government.

Miller, S.L. and M.P. Crosby. 1998. The extent and condition of U.S. coral reefs. 2nd ed. pp. 1-34. IN: NOAA’s State of the Coast Report. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD. [on-line (http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/websites/retiredsites/sotc_pdf/CRF.PDF)].

Szaro, R.C., Berc, J., Cameron, S., Cordle, S., Crosby, M.P., Martin, L., Norton, D., O’Malley, R., Ruarck, G. 1998. The ecosystem approach: science and information management issues, gaps and needs. Landscape and Urban Planning. 40: 89-101.

Crosby, M.P. 1997. Moving towards a new paradigm for interactions among scientists, managers and the public in marine and coastal protected areas. pp. 10-24. IN: Crosby, M.P., D. Laffoley, C. Mondor, G. O’Sullivan and K. Geenen (eds). Proceeding of the Second International Symposium and Workshop on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, July, 1995. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA. 247 pp.

Crosby, M.P., D. Laffoley, C. Mondor, G. O’Sullivan and K. Geenen. 1997. Proceeding of the Second International Symposium and Workshop on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas, July, 1995. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA. 247 pp.

Crosby, M.P. and E.S. Reese. 1996. A Manual for Monitoring Coral Reefs With Indicator Species: Butterflyfishes as Indicators of Change on Indo-Pacific Reefs. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD. 45 pp. (accompanied by a twenty-minute video).

Crosby, M.P., G.R. Gibson, and K.W. Potts (eds). 1996. A Coral Reef Symposium on Practical, Reliable, Low Cost Monitoring Methods for Assessing the Biota and Habitat Conditions of Coral Reefs, January 26-27, 1995. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA. 80 pp.

Eichbaum, W.M., M. P. Crosby, M.T. Agardy, and S.A. Laskin. 1996. The Role of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity. Oceanography 9: 60-70.

Maragos, J.E., M.P. Crosby, and J. McManus. 1996. Coral Reefs and Biodiversity: A Critical and Threatened Relationship. Oceanography 9: 83-99.

Science Subgroup. 1996. South Florida Ecosystem Restoration: Scientific Information Needs. Report to the Working Group of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. 487 pp.

Crosby, M.P. and J.E. Maragos. 1995. The United States Coral Reef Initiative. pp. 303-316. IN: Maragos, J.E., M.N.A. Peterson, L.G. Eldredge, J.E. Bardach, and H.F. Takeuchi (eds), Marine and coastal biodiversity in the tropical island Pacific region. Vol I: Species systematics and information management priorities. East West Center, Honolulu, HI.

Bjergo, C., C. Boydston, M.P. Crosby, S. Kokkanakis, and R. Sayer, Jr. 1995. Non-native Aquatic Species in the United States and Coastal Waters. pp. 428-431. IN: E.T. LaRoe, G.S. Farris, C.E. Puckett, P.D. Doran, and M.J. Mac (eds.), Our Living Resources - A report to the Nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and Ecosystems. U.S. Dept. of Interior- Nat. Biol. Ser., Wash., D.C.

Crosby M.P. and A.D. Beck. 1995 Management-oriented research in National Estuarine Research Reserves, with examples of fisheries-focused studies. Natural Areas Journal 15:12-20.

Crosby, M. P., S.F. Drake, C.M. Eakin, N.B. Fanning, A. Paterson, P.R. Taylor and J. Wilson. 1995. The United States Coral Reef Initiative: an overview of the first steps. Coral Reefs 13: 249-251.

Crosby, M.P. 1994. A proposed approach for studying ecological and socio-economic impacts of alternative access management strategies in marine protected areas. pp. 45-65 IN: Marine Protected Areas and Biosphere Reserves: 'Towards a New Paradigm'. D.J. Brunkhorst [Ed], Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra, Australia.

Crosby, M.P. 1994. Opportunities for nonindigenous species research and monitoring in NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserves. In: Nonindigenous Estuarine and Marine Organism Conference, Seattle, WA. Proceedings of the Conference and Workshop, April, 1993. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington, D.C. pp. 69-78.

Golde, H.M., M.P. Crosby, C.R. Lovell and S.E. Stancyk. 1994. Reduction of marine sediment oxygen uptake: pre-treatment for the determination of infaunal respiration rates. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 111: 203-207.

Kismohandaka, G., C.S. Friedman, W. Roberts, R.P. Hendrick, and M.P. Crosby. 1993. Investigation of physiological parameters of black abalone with withering syndrome. J. Shellfish Res. 12:131-133.

Crosby, M.P. and H.M. Golde. 1993. A review and synthesis of the first decade of research in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Technical Memorandum #26. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Washington, D.C.

Jokiel, P.L., E.F. Cox, E.F. and M.P. Crosby. 1993. An evaluation of the nearshore coral reef resources of Kahoolawe, Hawaii. Final Report for Co-operative Agreement NA27OM0327. Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Technical Report No. 40. 93 pp.

G.I. Scott, M.H. Fulton, M.P. Crosby, G.T. Chandler, T.F. Bidleman, P. B. Key, J.W. Daugomah, C.J. Lounden, T.W. Hampton, J. Waldren and D.W. Moore. 1992. Agricultural insecticide runoff effects on estuarine organisms: Correlating laboratory and field toxicity testing and ecophysiological measurements with ecotoxicological bio-monitoring. Final Report, U.S.E.P.A. Gulf Breeze Environmental Laboratory. 165 pp.

Gale, L.D., J. Manzi and M.P. Crosby. 1991. Energetic costs to the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica (GMELIN), due to recent parasitism by the ectoparasitic gastropod, Boonea impressa (SAY). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 79:89-98.

Crosby, M.P., C. Roberts and P.D. Kenny. 1991. Effects of immersion time and tidal position on the in situ growth rates of a naturally settled bivalve. J. Shellfish Res. 10:95-103.

Crosby, M.P. 1990. Assessment of impacts from development of Radio Island, NC on harvesting, population structure, density and condition of endemic intertidal oyster populations. Environ. Test. Ser. rep./ N.C. Port Authority. 11 pp.

Crosby, M.P. and C. Roberts. 1990. Seasonal infection intensity cycle of the parasite Perkinsus marinus (and an absence of Haplosporidium spp.) in oysters from a South Carolina salt marsh. Diseases Aquat. Org. 9:149-155.

Crosby, M.P. and L. Gale. 1990. A review and evaluation of bivalve condition index methodologies with a suggested standard method. J. Shellfish Res. 9:233-238.

Crosby, M.P., R.I.E. Newell and C.J. Langdon. 1990. Bacterial mediation in the utilization of carbon and nitrogen from detrital complexes by the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Limnol. and Oceanogr. 35:625-639.

Crosby, M.P. 1989 (abstract). A discussion of various approaches for assessing the effects of anthropogenic inputs on bivalves: Current trends and suggestions for the future. J. Shellfish Res. 8:436-437.

Crosby, M.P., C.J. Langdon and R.I.E. Newell. 1989. Importance of refractory plant material to the carbon budget of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). Mar. Biol. 100:343-352.

Crosby, M.P. 1988 (abstract). Using bioenergetics of intertidal oyster populations as a measurement of anthropogenic perturbations to shellfish growing waters. J. Shellfish Res. 7:199-200.

Crosby, M.P. and E.R. Peele. 1987. Detection of bacterial populations in oyster tissue homogenates using direct counts and 3H-Thymidine incorporation. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 108:93-97.

Crosby, M.P. 1986. Utilization of detrital complexes by the oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Maryland. 164 pp.

Crosby, M.P. 1985. The use of a rapid radiolabeling method for measuring ingestion rates of detritivores. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 93:273-283.

Wolfinbarger, L. and M.P. Crosby. 1983. A convenient procedure for radiolabeling detritus with (14C) dimethylsulfate. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol 67:185-198.

Crosby, M.P. 1982. Determining the uptake and possible assimilation of the plant component of Spartina detritus by Palaemonetes pugio using a rapid radiolabeling method. M.S. thesis, Old Dominion University. 47 pp.

Crosby, M.P., R.W. Alden and L. Wolfinbarger. 1981 (abstract). A preliminary study of the ingestion of detrital material by Palaemonetes pugio, using 14C radiolabeling methods. Proc. of the 59th Meet. of the VA Acad. of Science.

Meet the Team

Executive Office