UofL selects third cohort of ‘ascending star’ researchers

A University of Louisville program meant to help ‘ascending star’ faculty shine even brighter has named nine researchers and scholars to its third cohort.

Through the Ascending Star Fellowship program, the Office of Research and Innovation partners with academic units to accelerate scholarship and promote the national reputation of exceptional mid-career researchers. During the year long program, the fellows work with an external mentor and are coached through an ambitious project that moves their scholarship to the next level of development.  

This year’s class — representing four schools — includes:

• • Amanuel Beyin, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on the anthropoligical origins of humans in East Africa; 
  • Adam Enders, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on political science and conspiracy beliefs; 
  • Lesley Harris, Kent School of Social Work, whose work focuses on improvement of service delivery for persons over the age of 50 living with HIV/AIDS;
  • Jonathan Kopechek, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on development of image-guided molecular therapy platforms utilizing ultrasound-responsive drug and gene carriers for treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases;
  • Matthew Nelson, School of Music, whose work focuses on recording and disseminating historical clarinet works of United Kingdom artist, Charles Hartford Lloyd; 
  • Stephanie Prost, Kent School of Social Work, whose work focuses on the health of incarcerated aging individuals;
  • Farshid Ramezanipour, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on chemistry solutions in renewable energy. 
  • Hui Zhang, J.B.Speed School of Engineering, whose work focuses on precision medicine and machine learning; mathematical visualization, multimodal data analysis, and human-computer interaction;
  • Jianhua Zhao, College of Arts and Sciences, whose work focuses on anthropological study of the Chinese fashion industry.

“The breadth and depth of this cohort’s work is truly impressive,” said M. Cynthia Logsdon, associate vice president for research and innovation, who leads the fellowship program. “While they’re already ‘stars,’ my hope is that through the Ascending Stars Fellows Program we can support them in advancing their scholarship, its impact and recognition.”

To be considered for the program, faculty must be associate professor rank, must be nominated by their unit and must show a “consistent record of scholarship with the passion and desire to achieve greater national recognition.”