His research focus is in plant physiological and ecological responses to environmental change. His teaching interests at Duke Kunshan include integrated science, biology and environmental science, especially lifecycle analysis and systems thinking.
He has directed environmental science research centers and academic programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Oregon State University and North Carolina State University. He also worked in research administration at the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Winner has B.A. and M.A. teaching degrees in biology from the Lewis and Clark College, Portland, an M.A. in biology from the University of South Dakota, and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Calgary, Canada.