Hollywood, look out. English professor Gary Goshgarian may see his novel Elixir, which puts a modern spin on the age-old quest for eternal youth, up on the silver screen.

Imageries Entertainment optioned the 2000 thriller last year, with the goal of beginning film production this year. This is the third Hollywood option on the book; director Ridley Scott took out the first two.

Goshgarian's fifth published novel (written under the nom de plume Gary Braver), Elixir traces an insidious unfolding, as an idea for sustaining youth leads to underhanded pharmaceutical deals, murder, and family disintegration.

The School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts­Amherst honored Elizabeth Howard, associate professor of nursing, with a Distinguished Alumna Award last fall. The award recognizes excellence in nursing clinical practice, education, research, leadership, community service, or health-care system design.

Howard, who was named a distinguished research fellow at Northeastern last year, also serves as the graduate coordinator of the critical-care specialization. She received her MSN and PhD from Boston College.

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