Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Ioanna L

Biography

 Ioanna-Maria Gertsou is the co-Founder and President of Guide-Dogs Hellas and is a visually impaired activist for human diversity. She is also a psychologist with an expertise in cognitive science and experimental psychology. Her research background, regards behavioral experiments on perception and synesthesia. For several years she worked in the field of Human Computer Interaction at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (F.O.R.T.H). She introduced to the market the concepts of user interface design, information society and web accessibility and contributed to the creation of the first accessible governmental electronic services in Greece. Ioanna was the first guide-dog user of Greece and in 2008, visualised the need of an NGO to provide freedom and independence, free of charge. Today, "Lara Guide-Dog School" is a modern organisation, supported by the private sector. The majority of Greeks are aware of what a guide-dog is and how to behave towards a guide-dog team. Guide-dog users are increasing and general guide-dog access is supported and protected by a national law, voted in 2010. In 2013 she joined the board of the European Guide-Dog Federation to represent the rights of guide-dog users throughout Europe. That same year in the European Parliament she was the main rapporteur, supporting the voting of a direction which prompts the EU countries to create accessible governmental websites and services. In 2014 the law for guide-dog access was improved, making Greece a role model for other countries. Ioanna is being honoured by her country's main representatives in politics, philanthropy, culture and the media.

Research Interest

Nutrition, diet, food science, Underweight; Overweight; Obesity; Lifestyle factors                                                                   

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