Joanne has been Associate Professor of Marine Science since 2022 and is currently the Academic Team Lead for the Marine Science and Aquaculture group and Director of STEM (TGA) at the University of Waikato. Prior to this Joanne worked at NIWA, Cawthron Institute (Marine Science Team Leader) and KAUST University.  

In 2023 she won the University of Waikato Vice Chancellor's award for Research Excellence (Team). She has published over 100 peer reviewed journal articles and numerous book chapters.  Joanne is currently ranked 1^st for ‘marine ecosystem services’ and 9th out of all researchers in the world who have listed ‘multiple stressors’ as one of their areas of research expertise on Google Scholar. Her research focuses on understanding how human drivers of environmental change, including coastal intensification and climate change, impact the functioning and structure of marine ecosystems. Notable advances include: 1) the development of gradient design approaches, including quantile regression, to better understand optimal environmental niches of taxa in the face of a changing environment; 2) prediction of the effects of climate change stressors on the health of benthic communities highlighting the synergistic effect of ocean warming and eutrophication on marine communities; and 3) the development of integrated frameworks that link risks from ecological degradation to business, social and cultural well-being.

She has led or co-led over 15 research projects, many of which are multi-million dollar programmes. These awards have come from a number of sources: research councils, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector. Until 2024 she was appointed as chief PI leading teams of researchers in the National Science Challenge: Sustainable Seas (2019-2024) including the Risk and Uncertainty and Scale and EBM programs.

Joanne is also active in translating research into guidance and policy frameworks as well as science communication and engagement. She often presents to stakeholders and has frequently produced press articles on marine issues, including for The Conversation, The NZ Herald, Radio NZ The Panel, Waikato Times, The Post, Blue Cradle and the UN Ocean Decade webinar series.