The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Heart Association have announced the recipients of the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health. 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 their research in brain health. This marks the third year the scholarship has been awarded.
The Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health, also known as the Sacco Scholars program, are funded by a bequest from the late Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., FAAN, FAHA, the only neurologist to serve as president of both the AAN and the American Heart Association. Dr. Sacco passed away in 2023 from a brain tumor. The program supports early-career researchers focused on preventive neurology and the heart-brain connection.
Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of understanding the heart-brain connection. “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,” she said. “We look forward to seeing the work of these two scholars as these research projects build upon Dr. Sacco’s decades of work in saving and improving lives.”
Natalia S. Rost, M.D., M.P.H., FAAN, FAHA, president of the American Academy of Neurology, highlighted the program’s role in advancing brain health. “Dr. Ralph Sacco inspired many physicians and researchers through his remarkable career, and his legacy lives on through the Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health,” she said. “This program that supports talented researchers in advancing preventive neurology is a testament to his generosity in mentorship and passion for science.”
Kettlety, a postdoctoral researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University, will study the impact of childhood concussions on long-term health. Her research focuses on how a child’s heart rate changes during exercise after a concussion. These heart-rate responses may indicate whether the autonomic nervous system is functioning properly after injury. By identifying patterns that signal prolonged recovery, she aims to help doctors predict which young patients will have slower recoveries and tailor treatments accordingly.
McEntee, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School, will investigate the connection between exercise and brain health. As people age, cognitive changes can affect learning and memory. Exercise is known to support brain health, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. McEntee will study exerkines—small substances released from muscles and fat during exercise—that may travel to the brain and improve function. She aims to identify which exerkines are most important and how they help maintain cognitive health, potentially leading to new interventions for older adults and individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity, as well as those unable to exercise.
Mary E. Post, M.B.A., CAE, chief executive officer of the American Academy of Neurology, stressed the importance of research funding. “Robust research funding is critically important to support innovative ideas that can lead to scientific breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatments for a variety of conditions,” she said. “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 and making a meaningful impact on the landscape of brain health.”
Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, reflected on Dr. Sacco’s legacy. “Dr. Ralph Sacco was the first neurologist to ever serve as the volunteer president of the American Heart Association and he was a dedicated volunteer for more than 20 years as a champion for our work in recognizing the importance of brain health,” she said. “He spent much of his life mentoring young scientists just like the recipients of this year’s scholarships.”
Kettlety and McEntee will begin their two-year research projects on July 1, 2026. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org. For more about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com.
