FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON March 11, 2026

ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Awards Over $4.6 Million in Research Grants

MINNEAPOLIS – The ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú (AAN), the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 AAN Research Program. This year, the AAN has awarded more than $4.6 million toward neuroscience research and training through the research program. The AAN is dedicated to advancing the work of researchers who are improving the lives of people affected by brain disease, supported through collaborations with partners such as the American Brain Foundation, a Legacy Supporter of the AAN Research Program. Recipients are being recognized at the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú’s Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, April 18-22, 2026. Funding will support the following 2026 AAN Research Program recipients: Career Development Award Funded by the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. Bipasha Mukherjee Clavin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University Sheela Toprani, MD, PhD, University of California, Davis Elizabeth C. Wright-Jin, MD, PhD, Nemours Children's Health Clinical Research Training Scholarship Funded by the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. Friederike Held, MD, Stanford University Jaeho Hwang, MD, Northwestern University Laura W. Pappalardo, MD, PhD, PharmD, University of Pennsylvania Sumanth Reddy, MD, University of California, San Francisco Jeanne C. Mayer Next Generation Research Grant in Multiple Sclerosis Funded by the Herbert R. Mayer and Jeanne C. Mayer Foundation and American Brain Foundation. Mark Milner, PhD, University of Michigan Lawrence M. Brass, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Stroke Funded by the American Heart Association and American Brain Foundation. Praneeta R. Konduri, PhD, Stanford University McKnight Next Generation Research Grant in Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss Funded by the McKnight Brain Research Foundation through American Brain Foundation. Maria Pia Campagna, PhD, University of California, San Francisco Quentin Devignes, PhD, University of Michigan Neuroscience Research Training Scholarship Funded by the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. Sarah Chang, PhD, University of California, San Diego Yedda Li, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital Hsueh-Fu Wu, PhD, Columbia University Next Generation Research Grant in ALS Funded by The ALS Association and American Brain Foundation. Rebecca Casterton, PhD, University of Cape Town Next Generation Research Grant in Frontotemporal Dementia Funded by the Holloway Family Fund of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration and American Brain Foundation. Jesús García-Castro, MD, MSc, Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Next Generation Research Grant in Lewy Body Diseases Funded by the Alzheimer's Association and American Brain Foundation. Esteban Luna, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Next Generation Research Grant in Parkinson’s Disease Funded by the Parkinson's Foundation and American Brain Foundation. Arjun Balachandar, MD, University of Toronto Next Generation Research Grant in Peripheral Neuropathy Funded by the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy through American Brain Foundation. Ariel Zhang, PhD, Temple University Next Generation Research Grant in Myasthenia Gravis Funded by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and American Brain Foundation. Alexandra C. Bayer Wildberger, PhD, Yale University Practice Research Training Scholarship Funded by the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. Carson M. Quinn, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital Richard Olney Next Generation Research Grant in ALS Funded by The ALS Association and American Brain Foundation. Chen Eitan, PhD, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Robert Katzman, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Funded by the Alzheimer's Association and American Brain Foundation. Pavel Yanev, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky Susan S. Spencer, MD, Next Generation Research Grant in Epilepsy Funded by the American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation and American Brain Foundation. Mark Bowren, Jr., PhD, University of Iowa Discover more about brain health at , from the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú. This resource offers a website, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world’s leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life on , and .

The ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú is the leading voice in brain health. As the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 44,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN’s mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine.

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