The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Heart Association have named Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., of Baltimore, Maryland, and Cali McEntee, Ph.D., of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the 2026 recipients of the Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health. Each scientist will receive a $150,000 two-year scholarship to advance research in brain health, marking the third year the award has been granted.
The scholarship program honors the late Dr. Ralph L. Sacco, the only neurologist to serve as president of both organizations. Dr. Sacco, who died from a brain tumor in 2023, left a bequest to support the initiative, which aims to foster research in preventive neurology and the heart-brain connection.
Kettlety, a postdoctoral researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University, will investigate how heart rate changes during exercise after childhood concussions may predict recovery. Her study focuses on patterns in autonomic nervous system function that could identify children at risk for prolonged symptoms, enabling earlier, tailored interventions. "If doctors can identify those patients early, they may be able to offer more customized treatments," the announcement noted.
McEntee, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School, will explore how exercise-induced molecules called exerkines influence brain health and memory in aging. Her work aims to pinpoint key substances released from muscles and fat during physical activity that may protect cognitive function, with implications for older adults and individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity who cannot exercise. The goal, she stated, is to "find new ways to protect and improve brain health" for all.
"As we learn more about the importance of the cognitive and physical aspects of the heart-brain connection, it's critical to grow the body of evidence that can help us reduce risk and improve health," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Heart Association. AAN President Natalia S. Rost, M.D., added that the program "supports talented researchers in advancing preventive neurology" and is "a testament to his generosity in mentorship."
The scholarships are funded through a partnership between the AAN and the American Heart Association, with both organizations emphasizing the need for robust research funding to drive breakthroughs in brain health. "With this collaborative partnership through the Sacco Scholars program, and the American Academy of Neurology's Brain Health Initiative, we are committed to improving lives," said AAN CEO Mary E. Post. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, noted Dr. Sacco's dedication to mentoring young scientists, saying, "I am so proud to see his lifesaving legacy live on."
Kettlety and McEntee will begin their projects on July 1, 2026. More information is available at AAN.com and heart.org.
