Dr Poiner has significant experience in the strategic development, planning and leading science, both as a practising scientist and at the organisational level. He chairs the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) and is a former CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO research scientist. Dr Poiner has extensive experience as the Chair or a Director on company, incorporated and non-incorporated joint ventures and CRC boards. He has worked widely with marine industries and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Dr Pioner is recognised for his exemplary leadership of R&D-based government enterprises using cutting edge marine science, targeted at the conservation of some of the most iconic marine life and habitats on earth including the Great Barrier Reef, and the development of marine industry. He has over 25 years of achievement in development and application of marine science nationally and internationally to support policy development, sound management and the sustainable development of marine industries. He has been instrumental in the recent growth of the Australian Institute of Marine Science by increasing partnering, science focus and introducing innovative business models. Through his leading roles in the globally significant Census of Marine Life he has further achieved a notable international status on top of his national recognition.