Two Neuroscientists Awarded 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health Research

The American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association have awarded the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health to neuroscientists Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., of Baltimore, Maryland, and Cali McEntee, Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Each will receive a $150,000 two-year scholarship to support scientific research in brain health, marking the third year of this program established through a bequest from the late Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., FAAN, FAHA, the only neurologist to have served as president of both organizations.

Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of growing evidence about the heart-brain connection to reduce risk and improve health. American Academy of Neurology President Natalia S. Rost, M.D., M.P.H., FAAN, FAHA noted that the program supporting talented researchers in advancing preventive neurology continues Dr. Sacco's legacy of mentorship and passion for science. The scholarships are administered through the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association, organizations that Dr. Sacco dedicated much of his career to serving.

Kettlety, a postdoctoral researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University, will study how childhood concussions affect long-term health by examining heart rate changes during exercise after injury. Her research focuses on whether specific heart-rate patterns can help doctors predict which young patients will experience prolonged recovery, potentially enabling earlier, more customized treatments. This work addresses a critical gap in concussion management where identifying at-risk patients remains challenging.

McEntee, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School, will investigate the connection between exercise and brain health by studying exerkines—small substances released from muscles and fat during physical activity that may travel to the brain and enhance cognitive function. Her research aims to identify which exerkines are most important for maintaining brain sharpness with aging, potentially leading to new approaches for protecting brain health in older adults, people with conditions like diabetes or obesity, and those unable to exercise due to illness or disability.

American Academy of Neurology Chief Executive Officer Mary E. Post, M.B.A., CAE highlighted the importance of research funding for scientific breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Nancy Brown, the American Heart Association's chief executive officer, noted Dr. Sacco's dedication to mentoring young scientists and his pioneering role as the first neurologist to serve as volunteer president of the association. The collaborative partnership through the Sacco Scholars program and the American Academy of Neurology's Brain Health Initiative represents a commitment to improving lives and advancing the landscape of brain health research.

Both researchers begin their two-year projects on July 1, 2026, joining a growing community of Sacco Scholars whose work builds upon Dr. Sacco's decades of contributions to understanding the interconnectedness of cardiovascular and neurological health. Their investigations into concussion recovery mechanisms and exercise-induced brain protection mechanisms address pressing public health concerns with potential implications for clinical practice and preventive strategies across the lifespan.