Jim Ashburn
 After graduating
valedictorian of his high school class in 1982, Jim Ashburn enrolled at the
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). 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.
Jim lives in Huntsville with his wife Greta and their five children --
Christopher, Matthew, and triplets Kathryn, William, and Laura
Grace.
Paul Colvert
 After graduating
from high school in 1986, Paul Colvert enrolled at the University of
Central Arkansas (UCA) where 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 (NRC) in Huntsville,
Alabama. It was during his time at NRC that Paul first met and became
friends with Jim Ashburn.
After leaving NRC in 1991, Paul continued to work Jim on various
projects and programs even though they were with different companies.
Eventually, Paul went to work for a small company called ELMCO in 1995 and
Jim joined the company just a few years later.
Paul lives near Madison, Alabama with his wife, Jeanette, and their
two daughters, Lauren and Sarah.
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