James Lilly began his career in the U.S. Navy at age 18, serving as a Hospital Corpsman with experience across multiple areas of medicine, including extensive work in medical laboratories. While on active duty, he pursued college coursework at night with the goal of attending medical school.
He was selected for a Navy commissioning program and attended the University of South Carolina, where he earned a degree in physics. Following graduation, he served four years as a surface warfare officer. Although accepted to medical school, he was retained in surface warfare and later awarded a scholarship to attend the Naval Postgraduate School. There, he transitioned to the Oceanography designator and earned a dual degree in meteorology and physical oceanography with a focus on remote sensing.
After retiring from the Navy, Lilly became a pilot and taught meteorology for the U.S. Air Force. He later completed doctoral studies at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a PhD in physics and science education.
Lilly currently owns and operates the Las Arenas Earth and Sky Observatory and Airport in Alamosa, Colorado. His research focuses on aircraft flight characteristics in high-altitude mountain environments and regional weather patterns in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education: Physics Education, University of Southern Mississippi
M.S. - Master of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, Naval Postgraduate School
B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Physics, University of South Carolina-Columbia
A.S. - Associate of Science in Medical Lab Technician, George Washington University