Monday, November 22, 2010 Science & Technology
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."
— Helen Keller

Engineering Solutions for Africa's Rural Poor

Engineering Solutions for Africa's Rural Poor
It's a question posed by many immigrants. "When you come here and are successful, you have this nagging feeling. What have you done for the people at home?" Born, raised, and educated in Uganda, William Kisalita is now a University of Georgia bioengineering professor. He designs three-dimensional cell-based biosensors, a promising new technology that could revolutionize how pharmaceutical companies test new drugs. But his true passion lays in bringing simple engineering solutions to rural Africa. Though devoting his energy and talents to the nameless has cost him a promotion and recognition, Kisaalita's rewards are much greater. He is slowly revolutionizing the milk market in Uganda, improving hen breeding in Burkina Faso, and helping nut-oil cooperatives in Morocco.

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