Jim Ashburn
 After
graduating valedictorian of his high school class in 1982, Jim
Ashburn enrolled at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. As
an undergraduate, he began his work as a laboratory assistant in
the areas of superconductivity and microgravity-processed
materials. To further his research, he continued at UAH as a
graduate student under a NASA Fellowship. In 1987, he formulated
and tested the first material to superconduct above the
temperature of boiling nitrogen, bringing worldwide attention to
the university. The paper resulting from this achievement was the
most cited technical paper in the world that year and the sixth
most cited of that decade. It was recently listed as the second
most cited paper in the history of Physical Review Letters, the
highest journal in physics.
In 1988, Jim was recognized with a resolution of the UAH Board
of Trustees for "distinguished service to UAH and the community."
In 1997, a historical marker was erected on his behalf at UAH
recognizing the 10th anniversary of his superconductor discovery.
In 2002, Jim was inducted as one of UAH's "Alumni of
Achievement."
Upon graduation from UAH in 1990 with his Ph.D. in physics,
Jim joined the senior technical staff at Nichols Research
Corporation. He rose to the level of Fellow before leaving NRC in
1999. He then joined a small company called ELMCO Inc., an Inc
500 company of about 200 employees where he served as Chief
Scientist. In December 2003, ELMCO Inc. was acquired by Westar
Aerospace and Defense Group. Within a year, Westar was acquired
by QinetiQ North America.
Jim lives in Huntsville with his wife Greta and their five
children -- Christopher (13), Matthew (12), and triplets Kathryn,
William, and Laura Grace (7).
|
After
graduating from high school in 1986, Paul Colvert enrolled at the
University of Central Arkansas. As an undergraduate, he majored
in physics with a minor in mathematics. Upon graduation from UCA
in 1990 with his B.S. in Physics, Paul joined the staff at
Nichols Research Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama. It was
during his time at NRC that Paul first met and became friends
with Jim Ashburn.