Donna Castro Email & Phone Number

I have a very diverse area of interests, some of which include women’s health issues, U.S. energy security, and worldwide energy poverty. I believe in criminal justice and prison reform, and securing an uninterrupted U.S. critical mineral supply for the benefit of all US citizens.I have served on the National Coal Council’s “Carbon Forward” report, a contributional report and recommendation for the Department of Energy focusing on rare earth element and critical mineral separation, beneficiation and extraction utilizing pre-mined coal feed stock material. This research continued with PMO Virginia as a sponsor via Virginia Tech’s Vibrant Virginia Coal research and critical Mineral program. This approach both mitigates and improves environmental concerns by utilizing available coal product and repurposing it. This may be a beneficial, economical and expeditious method to extract CMs as well, which could help ensure a sustainable, uninterrupted REE & CM supply chain for the U.S.🇺🇸As a coal advocate, I was a contributing author to the Journal of Mines, Metals and Fuels for their annual editions- 2020, 2021 & 2022.Another area of my interest and concern is about the increasing numbers of incarceration in this country. I am a strong advocate for prison reform in the justice system. I closely follow and support reform efforts and compassionate release programs. I believe there are far too many nonviolent incarcerated individuals who have long been rehabilitated and have so much to contribute to our society, yet their productive capabilities and future contributions are being wasted and squandered behind bars. What a complete waste of human life this is .This travesty must end. On a similar note, I believe there is a dire need to completely abolish human trafficking. We must all do our part as caring citizens to become advocates and end this horrific practice. There are ways and means to stop it with awareness, strategic intervention and determined effort from all humanitarians.Articles & Publications : see bio