The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.
Issue link: https://louisville.epubxp.com/i/460537
3 8 | L O U I S V I L L E . E D U Highlights Nanoparticle study attracts NIH grant for School of Public Health and Informa- tion Sciences The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an arm of the National Institutes of Health, awarded a three- year $450,000 grant to Qunwei Zhang, MD, MPH, PhD for a project that will study the poten- tially harmful effects of metallic nanoparticles. As the demand for nanotechnology continues to grow, a large number of metal nanoparticles are being developed and produced with new formulations and surface properties to meet those demands. However, the increased use of nanomaterials may carry with it a possible increased risk of environmental contamination. Dr. Zhang's research focuses on nanotoxicology, which refers to the concept that nanoparticles might represent a unique class of particulate toxins that differ from standard-sized particles. In his study, Dr. Zhang will work with nickel nanoparticles as a model because of its wide industrial interest and biological and medical applications. Nickel nanoparticles have wide-ranging appli- cations in the f elds of bat- tery production, electrical conduction, permanent magnets, magnetic f uids, magnetic recording media, solar energy absorption, and fuel cell electrodes and catalysts. Nickel alloy nanomaterials also have potential applications for a variety of biomedical uses. SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND INFORMATION SCIENCES Eastern Kentucky town calls on College of Business for help The Daniel Boone Hotel in Whitesburg, Ky., has seen better days, but a pair of College of Business students may play a role in restoring the historic building to its former glory. Marketing majors Jon Olsen and Samuel Stamper are researching a plan to turn the century-old Letcher County hotel into a boutique accommo- dation with restaurant and event space. Whitesburg off cials say the step would bring in tourists and boost the Appalachian economy. The students are doing the study as a consulting course project under the supervision of management professor Bruce Kemelgor. "Our students work all the time with organizations in the Louisville area, but reaching out this far into eastern Kentucky is unusual for us," Kemelgor said. In 2008, a feasibility study by Nesbitt Engineering Inc. of Lexington showed that a $6.5 million renovation of the hotel would position Whites- burg as a regional tourist center. The town sought f nancing for the project in the years that followed, but none came though. S. Brandon Coan, a Louisville consultant with ties to Whitesburg, asked Kemelgor for help. "People have discussed f xing up the hotel for years, but the money just hasn't been there," Coan said. "I thought some fresh thinking might help get things going." In October, Olsen and Stamper took a f eld trip to Whitesburg. They toured the hotel, talked with the mayor and other town leaders and even worked out a plan with the local newspaper, The Mountain Eagle, to team up on a regional demographic survey. Once the students f nish their marketing analysis, they'll build a case to attract investors. "The hotel def nitely needs work, but it's a great building, and it's in a scenic area," Olsen said. "We're going to help the people of Whitesburg f gure out if it's a viable attraction." COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Marketing students Jon Olsen and Samuel Stamper discuss a possible renovation of the vacant Daniel Boone Hotel in Whitesburg after touring the historic structure. Legal eagle Larry Ethridge, 75L, has been awarded the American Bar Association's Jefferson B. Fordham Daniel J. Curtin Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the award last August during a ceremony in Boston, Mass. Ethridge retired in 2014 from Louisville-based law fi rm Ackerson, Mosley & Yann, P.S.C., after more than 30 years of legal practice. The award honors professional excellence in state and local govern- ment law. Ethridge was also a former president of the UofL Alumni Association Board of Directors. LOUIS D. BRANDEIS SCHOOL OF LAW