Meet the Staff of the WiderNet Project

 
Cliff Missen, MA -- Director
Co-Director of the WiderNet Project Cliff has over 15 years professional experience in computers, networking, multimedia design, and applications development.  At the WiderNet Project, he combines this with his long-term interest in international development.  His first visit to Africa was with a medical team in 1982 and he continues to teach and promote appropriate water well drilling technology through the U.S. non-profit organization Wellspring Africa.
"I want to see the day when African technicians -- so steeped in understanding of  ICT technology -- bend and twist these tools to create appropriate and affordable communications systems for the most rural villages in Africa."
Instructor, International Programs
Systems Analyst, Physiology and Biophysics
missenc@widernet.org

 

 

Michael McNulty, Ph.D. -- Director
Co-Director of the WiderNet Project Mike is a long-time student of Africa. A Professor of Geography and former member of the UI central administration, Mike first visited Ghana in 1965-66 as a graduate student. He later lived and worked in Nigeria (1970-71) and returns regularly to teach and do research with African colleagues. 
Years ago, Cliff was a student in Mike's classes on "Development Policy and Planning;" now Mike is a student in Cliff's "Internetworks in International Development" class. What goes around, comes around!
Professor of Geography, University of Iowa
mcnultym@widernet.org

 

 

Oduntan Gbolahan Bode, Ph.D. -- Graduate Assistant
Reference Researcher for WiderNet Project Bode holds a Ph.D. in Linguistics and is pursuing an additional Master's degree in Management Information Sciences.

At the WiderNet Project, he is designing databases and gathering information resources for decision makers.
MIS Master's Candidate at the University of Iowa
bode@widernet.org

 

 

Michael Schmitz -- Project Assistant
Sophomore at the University of Iowa Michael is a student at the University of Iowa.  Working at the WiderNet Project, he hopes to gain good computer experience as he is pursuing a Management Information Studies and Computer Science majors.  Michael hopes to eventually work in a technology consulting firm.
schmitzm@widernet.org

 

 

Bonnie Pedersen -- Project Assistant
Junior at the University of Iowa Bonnie is studying Biology and Global Health Studies.  She became interested in the WiderNet project in order to gain computer and international work experience, especially work in Africa.  Her interest in Africa grew after spending last summer in Kenya working with a medical community health project. This summer she will travel to The Gambia to do public health research.  Her future plans may include a career in the medical and public health field with an international focus.
pedersenb@widernet.org

 

 

Grace Arnold -- Project Assistant
Sophomore at West High School Grace Arnold is a sophomore at West High School.  While she has no plans (or ideas, really : ) for the future, she is glad to be gaining work experience, and computer knowledge through the WiderNet Project.
arnoldg@widernet.org