Mote Marine Laboratory has hired a scientific director to manage its new red tide institute.

The institute, which just started last month, concentrates on controlling the red tide and alleviating the effects.

The new leader, Dr. Cynthia Heil, has worked with both the FWC and NOAA in studying red tide.

She told ABC-7 her focus will be on educating people about the algae blooms, finding ways to destroy red tide cells, and controlling the respiratory irritation.