Our Pledge:
We have pledged to educate ourselves about racial justice and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities and to understand the impacts of colonialism on the people indigenous to the land occupied by the University of Maryland, Baltimore where we operate (see below). Current and future scientists from marginalized communities face many obstacles. We recognize and pledge to dismantle structures of power that prevent or impede success of those underrepresented in the sciences. Through education and leadership we 1) promote discussion of the impacts of neuroracism 2) consider the effects of our research and experimental choices on marginalized communities and 3) consider the value of trauma-informed approaches in research and medicine. Learn more here.

Recognition of unceded lands: Our lab in the city of Baltimore "operates on the ancestral lands of Iroquoian-speaking Susquehannock peoples and Algonquian-speaking peoples of the Cedarville Band of the Piscataway Conoy, the Piscataway Indian Nation, and the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, all of whom shared this area through their relations and whose descendants are thriving and resisting settler occupation." We in the Calu Lab have directly benefitted from this land in which we work, live, learn, interact and conduct our research. Learn more here.

Please email Donna @ dcalu [at] som [dot] umaryland [dot] edu if you would like to talk about current opportunities to join the Calu Lab. Donna is fully committed to promoting the careers of each and every trainee she mentors and to ensuring a safe and inclusive working environment. Donna believes that communication and dialogue uplift and empower trainees to reach their personal and professional goals.