Paul Ruffin

His fiber winding patent[8] solved the 20-year-old problem associated with adverse temperature effects on Fibre optic gyroscope (FOGs) performance.

Ruffin published the advanced technologies for FOGs in Chapter 8, Pages 383 through 416 of the book entitled “Fiber Optics Sensors,”[9][10] Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2002.

[11][12][13] Ruffin's precision sensing and treatment delivery device for promoting healing in living tissue patent revealed a minimal invasive technique for treating cancer patients.

[16] On February 17, 2011, Ruffin was awarded the Black Engineer of the Year Emerald Award for Government Professional Achievement[17] for his technical achievements and leadership in the advancement of Fiber Optics, Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and Nanotechnology to ensure that the US Army remained at the forefront of a scientific and technological competence that is mission critical to the future soldier.

In 2011, President Barack Obama bestowed upon Ruffin the Rank of Meritorious Senior Professional for sustained superior accomplishment in the conduct of programs of the U. S. Government and noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in public service.

On June 29, 2011, the Secretary of the Army, Mr. John M. McHugh, presented Ruffin with the 2010 Presidential Rank Awards of Meritorious Executive.

Ruffin has served the professional and technical communities by his mentoring of high-school and undergraduate students during the Army's summer intern programs, teaching physics and Optics courses at Alabama A&M University in his capacity as Adjunct Professor, and serving as the director of education[22][23] for the Huntsville Association of Technical Societies (HATS) where he was responsible for designing science enrichment programs for K-12 students from 1998 to 2008.

Ruffin has served as the featured speaker at a number of public events including the 21st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast[28] held at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama sponsored by the Port City Chapter of Blacks In Government Inc. on Monday, January 18, 2010, the 3rd Annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Day “Increasing Global Competitiveness Through STEM”[29] at Alabama A&M University on April 3, 2009.