Cynthia Heil

Cynthia Heil is an accomplished marine scientist with extensive experience in phytoplankton ecology and harmful algal blooms (HABs). Currently serving as the Director at Mote Red Tide Research Institute since November 2018, Cynthia Heil also holds the position of Senior Research Scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences since October 2010, leading research into the environmental factors driving HABs. Previously, Cynthia Heil was the Senior Research Scientist and Red Tide Group Leader at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute from November 2003 to October 2010. Earlier roles include Research Scientist at the University of South Florida from October 1998 to October 2003, managing the ECOHAB: Florida Program, and an Australian Research Council Post-Doctorate Fellow at the University of Queensland Marine Botany Group from September 1995 to November 1998, focusing on marine plants as bioindicators of water quality. Cynthia Heil holds a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and advanced degrees in Marine Science and Biology from the University of South Florida and Purdue University, respectively.