Professor Martina Doblin is appointed as SIMS’ new CEO and Director; Inaugural CEO Professor Peter Steinberg steps down after 11 years 

Professor Steinberg has played an exceptional role in nurturing SIMS from its beginnings in 2006, and in particular through his role as Director and CEO, a position he assumed in 2009. In that time SIMS has grown from a single lab and aquarium at Chowder Bay to its current status as one of Australia’s nationally significant marine science institutes. SIMS Chair, Peter Cochrane, describes Peter as “an engaging and inspiring leader who will be leaving the CEO role with an enviable list of major achievements at SIMS”. 

Under Professor Steinberg’s leadership, SIMS has developed major marine science and outreach programs via a strongly collaborative approach with its community of partner universities, national marine stakeholders, philanthropic supporters and the broader public. It’s a collaboration which facilitates the delivery of marine science expertise with a strong solution-based focus. SIMS’ green engineering and ecological restoration work continues to expand, as does its membership of advisory bodies and its influence on State and Commonwealth policy. SIMS is also increasingly active on the global stage through programs such as the World Harbour Project, and the growing international focus on oceans creates exciting opportunities to build on these capabilities in the coming decade. While stepping down as Director, Professor Steinberg will continue to be involved on the research side of key SIMS projects where he “looks forward to helping these projects flourish by working with the broad SIMS team and new Director, Professor Martina Doblin”.

SIMS is delighted to secure the appointment of Martina Doblin, Professor of Oceanography and leader of the Productive Coasts team at University of Technology Sydney, as the incoming CEO. Martina has a long association with SIMS and as a highly respected and experienced scientist, is eminently suited to the role. A leader of nationally significant research programs, with a history of many successful collaborations with industry and government, Martina is excited to take on this role of working with staff, researchers, associates and the board to create new opportunities for SIMS which advance the sustainability of our marine environment. Martina will start her new role at SIMS on 1 July 2020.