MEET THE TEAM
Joanna Campe
Executive Director
As the founder and Executive Director of RTE, Joanna Campe raises public awareness of the crucial role of soil remineralization with finely ground rock dust, sea minerals and other natural means to regenerate soils, forests and stabilize the climate. She promotes partnerships with foundations and educational institutions, government agencies, international development agencies, the private sector, and NGOs. She has decades of related conference participation, project organization, media development, authorship, public speaking, professional networking, policy advocacy, and public awareness building. She has co-authored several research papers and is the co-editor of Geotherapy: Innovative Methods of Soil Fertility Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, and Reversing CO2 Increase.
In the early 1980s, Joanna read the book The Survival of Civilization by John Hamaker and Don Weaver and what had for her previously been “dirt” under her feet became a vast micro-universe that is the basis of all life. She recognized the tremendous importance of John’s work and joined together with him, Don Weaver and others to get the message out.
Don Weaver
Co-Author of The Survival of Civilization
Don has for 37 years been an ecologist, researcher, writer and organic grower concerned with the health and survival of humanity and the Biosphere. Humanity must quickly transform into the wisely generous species on Earth, if the growing momentum of eco-climatic and health degeneration is to be reversed. He began working with John Hamaker in 1978. John’s early writings inspired an understanding of how local and global soil remineralization with natural gravel (mixed rock) dust can enable us to perpetually grow high-quality crops and trees, the natural foundation for regenerating the socio-ecosphere. John and Don subsequently collaborated to author The Survival of Civilization, produce 11 issues of Solar Age or Ice Age? Bulletin, and numerous articles for the magazines Remineralize the Earth Magazine (1991-1997), Acres USA, Living Nutrition and more. His email contact is: earthdon@yahoo.com
Since John Hamaker died in 1994, Don has continued sharing these crucial insights. From 1997-2002, he researched and wrote To Love And Regenerate the Earth: Further Perspectives on The Survival of Civilization, which includes additional Hamaker writings in its 540 pages. Both Hamaker-Weaver books and Weaver’s Fruiticulture remain free at www.soilandhealth.org.
Antonio Zamunér Filho
Research Database Coordinator – Portuguese to English (since 2022)
Antonio has a degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Federal University of Lavras (2007), a master’s degree from the same University (2009) and a doctorate degree in Transport Engineering from the São Carlos School of Engineering – EESC/USP (2015). Since 2014 has been professor of the Mining Engineering course and, currently, a permanent professor in the Graduate Program in Production Engineering; both from the Federal University of Catalão. Develops research in the areas of Agrogeology; Environmental management; Optimization of Agroindustrial Products and Processes; and Transportation Planning.
Stewart Chute
Research Database Director (since 2024)
Dr. Chute is an Environmental Toxicologist. His career spans academic, industrial, and government sectors. He has extensive experience addressing the concerns of citizens on issues related to chemical exposure and possible health effects. In his role as a public health advocate and subject matter expert he has advised local government officials on issues relating to environmental health and planning for chemical or radiological emergencies. He has collaborated with federal government agencies on toxic waste site remediation and developed health-based standards for environmental media. In recent years, he developed guidance for managing human health risks associated with cyanobacterial blooms. Prior to his work in the public sector, Dr. Chute worked as a Research Scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. In this role he worked with a team of other researchers and developed novel methods to replace animal toxicity testing protocols. Here he applied techniques of digital image analysis, laser cytometry, and video densitometry to measure changes in cell physiology. Before receiving his doctorate, he worked as a researcher in academic laboratories at the University of Connecticut and Yale University. The focus of his published work is on neurochemical changes associated with amphetamine addiction. He earned is Ph.D. from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in 1990. He enjoys carpentry, woodworking, and outdoor sports.
Benjamin T. Rancourt
Science Editor and Writer (since 2016)
Benjamin T. Rancourt received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. His continuing philosophical research focuses on understanding, knowledge, and science, among other topics. This research ties into his wider goal of encouraging deeper understanding of ourselves, our strengths, and our limitations. He hopes that greater understanding will help us use the resources available to us to preserve what is good and address what is wrong. Walking is his primary mode of transportation. He appreciates the natural world. He lives in North Carolina with his wife Julia, where he is a Teaching Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University and William Peace University.
Carter Haydu
Science Writer (since 2018)
Carter Haydu is a senior content creator for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Since 2012, he also has written about the Canadian energy sector for a Calgary-based trade publication. Carter has been a journalist since 2005, with much of his reporting delving into the environmental issues facing upstream oil and gas. He has written for Remineralize the Earth since 2018.
James Jerden
Science Writer (since 2022)
James is an environmental scientist and science writer focused on researching and promoting sustainable solutions to urgent environmental problems. He holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in geology from Boston College. Over the past 20 years, James has worked as a research geochemist and science educator. He joined Remineralize the Earth because of their effective advocacy, research, and partnership projects that support sustainable solutions to urgent environmental issues such as soil degradation (food security), water pollution from chemical fertilizers (water security), deforestation, and climate change. As a science writer for RTE, his goal is to bring the science and promise of soil remineralization to a broad, non-technical audience. When not writing, he can be found at his drum set.
Anna Himelstein
Science Writer (since 2024)
Anna is a graduate in Geology and GIS from West Virginia University. For the past two years she has been solo traveling across many countries. Her route has taken her to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Jordan, Mexico, Georgia, Eastern Europe, and many more. Along the way she volunteered for several organic farms, learning how people around the world approach agriculture and life. Inspired by the places she’s been and the knowledge of strong communities, she’s now returning to the United States with a drive to support local connection to agriculture, community, and the earth. Though her primary focus is on geological research, she is keen to learn from the various disciplines that contribute to sustainability and agriculture. She began as a science writer for Remineralize the Earth in 2024, inspired by the team’s natural approach to enriching agricultural soils. She’s also a ceramicist, with studio spaces in Utah and an artist residency in Austria.
Emma Pattinson
Science Writer (since 2024)
Emma Pattinson is a first-year master student in Environmental Protection and has a BSc in Environmental Management (Sligo, Ireland) as well as a BA in History (York, UK). Having worked for 20 years in the public and private education sector, she has experience of a multitude of business environments, such as defence, medicine, logistics and manufacturing. Dedicated to environmental causes, Emma is looking forward to working together with like- minded people to bring about positive change and continue to educate. Driven by a passion for the environment, Emma continues to learn from and educate those around her, hoping to see a more sustainable and greener future.
Debbie Patskowski
Science Writer (since 2021)
Debbie Patskowski is a senior petrophysicist and freelance writer on Medium, covering such topics as geology, science, and space exploration. Her professional areas of expertise include identification of minerals, rock types, and pore fluids using remote sensing (borehole) measurements. She has a BS in Geology and Environmental Sciences from Stanford and an MBA from the German University in Cairo. She and her husband live in Colorado where she enjoys running and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.
Winifred Amase
Social Media and Design (since 2023)
Winifred is a highly skilled data visualization design enthusiast with a passion for turning complex information into compelling visual stories. With a wealth of experience in graphic design, she has honed her skills in data visualization, branding and editorial design. She understands the power of data storytelling in educating and inspiring action, and as a creative designer with RTE, Winifred is dedicated to leveraging her skills to create positive social and environmental impact.
Her portfolio showcases her impressive range of work and demonstrates her ability to translate data into impactful visuals. Check out some of her outstanding works at https://winifred.myportfolio.com/
Winifred hopes to make a meaningful difference in the world, one design at a time.
Hannah Leonard
Grant Writer (since 2024)
Hannah Leonard is a graduate student researching Global Security at Arizona State University, with an emphasis on environmental issues. As a U.S. military veteran and world traveler, Hannah has lived in locations throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and has visited over 40 countries. Her diverse experiences have fueled her passion for issues at the intersection of sustainability, and international cooperation. Hannah is excited to contribute to Remineralize the Earth’s mission by identifying and securing funding opportunities to support research, education, and implementation projects that advance remineralization as a promising strategy to restore soils, improve food security, and combat climate change.
You can connect with her via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-leonard-00/
Matthew Lewis
Grant Writer (since 2024)
Dr. Matthew J. Lewis is a distinguished theoretical physicist with two decades of experience in defense, aerospace, biomedical, and environmental sectors. As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of TestMachine, he drives advancements in blockchain security. His expertise in grant writing has been instrumental in securing substantial funding for TestMachine. Previously, as CTO of Michigan Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Lewis led numerous high-impact programs that address critical environmental and technological challenges. His environmental work includes developing an automated monitoring platform for detecting invasive plant species along the Great Lakes, utilizing drone technology and deep learning to produce ecological “heat maps” that support targeted conservation efforts. Additionally, he collaborated with the University of Michigan to optimize stormwater management in urban environments. Dr. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan and has published extensively on machine learning applications, space weather prediction, and environmental technology, establishing him as a leader in theoretical and applied sciences.
Naomi Yossef
Assistant to Executive Director and Grant Writer (since 2023)
Naomi completed her MSc in Environmental Policy and Management. Growing up in Ghana, Naomi witnessed the exacerbation of socioeconomic issues due to the lack of prioritizing environmental issues. This shaped her academic and professional career to center on sustainability, with a focus on advocating for sustainable development and solutions in African countries. Naomi has been based in Ethiopia since 2020, where she has been supporting various projects that promote sustainable development and environmental education. Naomi is fascinated by the work at RTE to provide a sustainable solution to combat climate change, and is especially keen to support the Kilimanjaro project based in Tanzania.
Benjamin ZH Tan
Assistant to the Executive Director, Science Writer (since 2021)
Benjamin is a recent graduate of Northeastern University with a masters degree in media innovation. He writes about the intersection of technology and climate, and finds joy in producing in-depth explainers about science-related topics. He is committed to raising public awareness of the science of soil remineralization and emerging technologies in greenhouse gas drawdown. During his free time, he enjoys landscape photography, hiking, and cooking.
Alan Kantor
Senior Web Designer (since 2022)
Alan has been working in web design and graphic design for companies, from small firms to Fortune 100 companies, since 1997. He has designed websites, book layouts, promotional materials, and more. Companies he has worked with include: Feral Pixels, World Trade Press, Institute of Noetic Sciences, among others. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from California State University, Northridge. He currently lives in Northern California.
Hrutvi Panchal
UI/UX Designer (since 2024)
Hrutvi Panchal is a skilled UI/UX designer based in San Francisco, with a Master’s in Design from the Academy of Art University. She joined Remineralize the Earth to align her passion for environmental sustainability with her design expertise, aiming to elevate RTE’s digital presence and communicate its mission more effectively. With her experience designing user-centric solutions, Hrutvi is focused on crafting intuitive and engaging online experiences that connect people to the environmental, social, and economic benefits of remineralization. Hrutvi is creative at heart, with a strong background in graphic design and a knack for bringing innovative ideas to life. In addition to her design work, she loves exploring new cultures, trying out different cuisines, and travelling to expand her horizons. At home, she enjoys the company of her energetic cat, who never fails to bring a smile to her face.
Esha Diwale
UI/UX Designer (since 2024)
Esha is a UI/UX designer with experience in creating intuitive, user-focused digital solutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University. She strives in creating visually engaging, user-centered designs that improve usability and enhance overall user experience, and has worked on various impactful projects that include website redesigns, mobile application interfaces, user flows, wireframes, and interactive prototypes. Esha has also experience working with start-up and non-profit organizations, designing products that align with user needs and organizational goals. Esha looks forward to bringing her experience in design to RTE, working on the new website to deliver a seamless, intuitive, and engaging experience for users.
Rujuta Chandekar
Project Management Specialist (since 2024)
Rujuta Chandekar is a Senior Business Analyst with a Master’s in Engineering Management from Cornell University. She is deeply passionate about business strategy, product management, and sustainability, with a focus on optimizing processes and driving innovative solutions. Rujuta is committed to protecting the Earth and actively works to integrate sustainable practices into her projects, striving to create a positive environmental impact through her work. Currently, she is contributing to Remineralize the Earth (RTE) as a Project Management Specialist, where she uses her expertise in cost-benefit analysis and business analysis on different projects to guide RTE towards operational excellence and help achieve sustainability goals.
Sharanpreet Singh
Social Media (since 2024)
Sharan is a MBA candidate with a focus on marketing and a knack for social media strategy, content creation, and brand engagement. He specializes in crafting impactful, community-driven content across Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to drive growth and foster connections. His experience spans roles like Social Media Strategist at Florence Fang Community Farm, where he collaborated on building engagement strategies, and Media Coordinator for Dhillon Bro’s Trucking Inc., enhancing brand presence and generating B2B leads. Beyond work, he enjoys getting his hands in the soil through gardening and farming – a natural extension, coming from a farming family! When not in the garden, he’s always up for a lively and lighthearted yet respectful chat about politics. Feel free to check out his work and connect through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharanpreetsinghdhillon/
Arya Mihir Singh
Marketing Associate & Website Developer (since 2024)
Arya is a Carnegie Mellon graduate with a passion for social service. Arya has been an active part of notable NGOs such as Lions Clubs International, International Association for Human Values (IAHV) for the past 15 years. Arya holds a Bachelors in Computer Science and loves using his tech and product skills to build products and services for good. Arya has conducted more than 50 wellness workshops that promote individual and environmental well-being, emphasizing on ideas such as individual carbon footprint. He is super passionate about RTE’s mission to provide a sustainable solutions to combat climate change!
You can connect with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryamihir
Utkarsh Khandelwal
Marketing Associate & Website Developer (since 2024)
Utkarsh is a Masters of Science graduate from Carnegie Mellon University, and has a strong passion for community service projects and impact driven initiatives. In India, he founded Rootworkz Learning, an ed-tech venture that empowered over 70,000 students with online learning during COVID. Now, Utkarsh wants to leverages his technical and marketing expertise to raise awareness about remineralization. He’s driven to spread the word about this vital practice and contribute to a more sustainable future, helping combat climate change.
Hans Koehler
Graphic Designer, Video
Hans Koehler recently graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University with a BS in Industrial Design. Growing up in the forests and rivers of Alabama and the southeastern United States, his love for animals and nature began at a very young age. In fact, he’s been a voluntary vegetarian for almost his whole life. Through his work with RTE, Hans hopes to raise awareness and spread the word about remineralization through videos and graphic design. Nothing is as important as saving our planet from climate change, and Hans believes that remineralization is a critical part of the solution.
