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. See contact page if you would like to talk about current opportunities to join the Calu Lab.  

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 Piscataway Conoy Tribe and Indian Nation, all of whom shared this area long before and throughout the violent invasion, land-theft, forced removal and oppression by white, colonialist settlers. We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples' of the past, present, and future are the rightful and traditional protectors and caretakers of their native lands. Donna leads efforts in her home department of Anatomy and Neurobiology to take action to support Baltimore’s Indigenous descendants who are living, working and promoting the advancement of its peoples and protection of its culture, traditions and identity. Learn more here.
 

Our Action Plan:

1. Highlight local Indigenous tribes and organizations in our departmental seminar series

2. Provide educational resources about indigenous tribes and organizations via departmental email

3. Provide links to donate time or money in support of efforts by Indigenous tribes and organizations (see examples to the right (mobile below), shared in seminar and/or via email)

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Recognition of Social Injustice: The city of Baltimore sits on the historically agricultural lands on which enslaved Africans were involuntarily brought to work in the ship building and railroad industries. The slave trade operating from Baltimore’s ports contributed to twice as many enslaved than free people of color in the late 1700s. Since slavery in Maryland was abolished in 1864, the descendants of free and enslaved Black Americans living in Baltimore have been fighting for civil rights and equitable access to economic and educational opportunities. Donna leads departmental efforts to take action to support community organizations providing services and opportunities for Black Americans and POC in Baltimore.
 

Our Action Plan:​

1. Highlight local organizations supporting Black Americans and POC living in Baltimore (in our departmental seminar series)

2. Provide links to donate time or money in support of community organizations providing services and opportunities for Black Americans and POC in Baltimore (see examples to the right (mobile below), shared in seminar and/or via email)
   
   ​We reconginzie these statements and action plans are first steps and are open to feedback on improving statements and action plans. Please see contact page to provide input.