Testing out out on myself by using
//who $me, it actually showed my address (both in a channel and not in one) so I suppose you COULD do that and it would return a lot less info than the /whois reply (only if your network supports it). However, if you wanted a channel listing, then /who $nickname wouldnt work cause it does not show a channel listing like the /whois $nick reply. Hope this all made sence