Joanna studied Biology at Ricardo Palma University. She worked at the Instituto del Mar del Perú as the coordinator of the marine mammal program. She co-founded the NGO ProDelphinus. Her research work is mainly on marine conservation and fisheries. Joanna is a member of the IUCN’s Specialist Groups on Marine Turtles, Cetaceans, and Sharks. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Exeter. In 2012, she received the Whitley Prize from Princess Anne in London for her work in Marine Conservation; in 2015, she received the Marsh award for her leadership in marine conservation in Latin America; and in 2020, she received the prestigious title of Conservation Architect, Carlos Ponce Award. Joanna served as the President of the International Sea Turtle Society. Currently, through her work at the Scientific University of the South, she continues to train the next generation of Peruvian researchers and conservationists. She has produced more than 100 scientific articles as a contribution to research in the country.