His passionate interest in improving science and technology in Africa brought him to the State Department as a Jefferson Fellow where he worked, in part, with the Africa Bureau. In the course of his year at State, he traveled to several African countries to meet with faculty* and students*, to lecture and talk with science ministers*. He is continuing his engagement under his consulting agreement and is currently organizing a science and technology conference in Africa.

This year’s group of 8 Jefferson Fellows is equally remarkable. Among them are two members of the National Academy of Engineering and the disciplines they represent range from engineering and nuclear physics to molecular biology, food processing and forest economics. So what brings scientists of this stature to the State Department? I cannot speak for all of their motivations, but I am deeply impressed with their global breadth of vision. I think that we share several realizations.

The first is that the rising tide of resentment – and yes, of violence against us around the world is rooted in the deep disparities between our way of life and those of many poorer countries.
The second is that our science and technology are eagerly sought after, even by countries that have lost respect for our culture and our politics.
The third is that there is essentially no problem confronting contemporary societies that does not have a scientific and technological component.