The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Heart Association have named Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., and Cali McEntee, Ph.D., as the recipients of the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health. Each scientist will receive $150,000 over two years to support research aimed at improving understanding of brain health, building on the legacy of the late Dr. Ralph L. Sacco, the only neurologist to serve as president of both organizations.
Kettlety, a postdoctoral researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, will investigate how heart rate changes during exercise after childhood concussions can predict recovery. Her study focuses on patterns in heart-rate responses that may indicate dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system. Identifying these patterns early could help doctors tailor treatments for children at risk of prolonged symptoms.
McEntee, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School, will explore the link between exercise and brain health in aging. She aims to identify exerkines—substances released during exercise from muscles and fat—that travel to the brain and enhance cognitive function. Her work could lead to new interventions for older adults and individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity, as well as those unable to exercise.
“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., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “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.”
“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,” said American Academy of Neurology President Natalia S. Rost, M.D., M.P.H., FAAN, FAHA. “This program that supports talented researchers in advancing preventive neurology is a testament to his generosity in mentorship and passion for science.”
The Sacco Scholars program, now in its third year, is funded by a bequest from Sacco, who died in 2023 from a brain tumor. The awards underscore the collaborative commitment of the AAN and American Heart Association to advancing brain health research.
“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,” said American Academy of Neurology Chief Executive Officer Mary E. Post, M.B.A., CAE. “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.”
Kettlety and McEntee will begin their two-year research projects on July 1, 2026. For more information, visit the American Heart Association at heart.org and the American Academy of Neurology at AAN.com.
