BALTIMORE, MD., April 17, 2026—Sarah Kettlety, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins University, has been named a 2026 Ralph L. Sacco Scholar for Brain Health. The prestigious national scholarship, awarded by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association, provides $150,000 over two years to support innovative research focused on brain health.
Kettlety is one of two researchers nationwide selected for the 2026 award, which recognizes early‑career scientists whose work advances understanding of the connections between neurological and cardiovascular health. This marks the third year the Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health have been awarded.
The scholarships are supported through a generous bequest from the late Ralph L. Sacco, M.D., M.S., a globally respected neurologist and the only physician to have served as president of both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association. He passed away in 2023 following a brain tumor diagnosis.
“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.”
Kettlety’s research focuses on the long‑term effects of childhood concussion on the autonomic nervous system, which regulates vital functions such as heart rate and breathing. Her study examines how a child’s heart rate responds to exercise following a concussion, as specific response patterns may indicate nervous system dysfunction after injury.
These patterns may help explain why some children experience concussion symptoms that last longer than expected. Kettlety aims to determine whether heart‑rate responses can be used to identify children at higher risk for prolonged recovery. Early identification could allow clinicians to tailor care and interventions to better support each child’s recovery and long‑term 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 American Academy of Neurology President Natalia S. Rost, M.D., M.P.H. “This program that supports talented researchers in advancing preventive neurology is a testament to his generosity in mentorship and passion for science.”
The second recipient of the 2026 scholarship is Cali McEntee, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School. Her research explores how biological signals released during exercise may support brain health and cognitive function across the lifespan.
Kettlety and McEntee will begin their two‑year research projects on July 1, 2026.
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About Kennedy Krieger Institute:
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, nonprofit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C., region, transforms the lives of nearly 30,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies; home and community services; school-based programs; training and education for professionals; and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders and injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneering new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.
