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 recipients of the 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health. Each scientist will receive $150,000 over two years to support research exploring the link between heart health and brain function. This marks the third year of the scholarship program, established through a bequest from 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, will investigate how childhood concussions affect long-term health by studying heart rate changes during exercise after injury. Her work aims to identify patterns that may indicate autonomic nervous system dysfunction, potentially predicting prolonged concussion symptoms. Early identification could enable tailored treatments for faster recovery. “These heart‑rate responses can follow different patterns, and those patterns may give clues about whether the nervous system isn’t working quite right after the injury,” Kettlety said, as noted in the announcement.
McEntee, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School, will explore why exercise benefits brain health, focusing on molecules called exerkines released during physical activity. She aims to determine which exerkines are most crucial for preserving cognitive function with age and how they travel to the brain. This research could lead to new strategies for protecting brain health in older adults and individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity, as well as those unable to exercise. “By understanding this, McEntee hopes to find new ways to protect and improve brain health,” the release stated.
The scholarships honor Dr. Sacco’s legacy in preventive neurology and heart-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,” said AAN President Natalia S. Rost, M.D., M.P.H., FAAN, FAHA. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, added, “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.”
The program is part of the AAN’s Brain Health Initiative and the American Heart Association’s broader research efforts. “Robust research funding is critically important to support innovative ideas that can lead to scientific breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatments,” said AAN CEO Mary E. Post, M.B.A., CAE. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, noted, “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... I am so proud to see his lifesaving legacy live on.”
Kettlety and McEntee will begin their projects on July 1, 2026. The research underscores a growing focus on the heart-brain connection, relevant to conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and concussion. The Sacco Scholars program aims to support emerging scientists who advance understanding of how cardiovascular health influences neurological outcomes, potentially leading to new preventive and therapeutic approaches.
