The Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health
Brain Health Initiative
The Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health, also known as the Sacco Scholars Program, is a unique scholarship program led by the AAN and the American Heart Association. It was made possible by a generous bequest to the AAN and the AHA from the late Ralph L. Sacco, MD, MS, FAAN, FAHA.
The Sacco Scholars program awards two early career trainees with $150,000 in funding for two-year research programs that focus on brain health.
Check back for more updates on the 2026 application announcement.
Meet the Sacco Scholars
2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health Award recipients
Hortense Triniac, Ph.D.
Versiti Wisconsin, Inc.
Project: The protective role of hepatocyte-derived tPA in cerebral ischemia: a brain-liver axis
Dr. Triniac is a postdoctoral fellow in the Zheng Laboratory of the Versiti Blood Research Institute and Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She is being awarded the scholarship to study whether the risk of a stroke may be reduced by specific interactions of several types of proteins – apolipoprotein B (apoB) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) – both of which are naturally produced in the liver. The apoB-containing lipoproteins produce low-density lipoprotein (LDL, the so-called “bad” cholesterol) when they enter the bloodstream, which may induce a chronic inflammatory response that can lead to plaque build-up and clots in the arteries. The tPA protein breaks down blood clots to allow blood to flow. Zheng Lab’s previous studies showed that tPA lowers the lipidation of apoB and the production of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the liver cells and when there are higher concentrations of tPA, there are lower levels of VLDL and LDL in the blood. Triniac’s new research will look at whether liver tPA lowers the risk of stroke by reducing lipid accumulation in blood vessels and improving blood clot breakdown. This research may lead to new therapies that reduce the risk of stroke and improve brain health.
Katy Walsh, Ph.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Project: APOE variants as a therapeutic strategy to protect and restore vascular function in cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Dr. Walsh is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Kozberg Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. Her research project will include investigating mechanisms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), caused when abnormal proteins build up in blood vessels in the brain, often leading to a bleeding stroke. There are currently no treatments available to patients with CAA, the strokes are often deadly and it is a leading cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Variations in human DNA in apolipoprotein E (APOE), a protein that helps the brain function by managing the movement of cell building blocks, may alter a person’s risk of developing CAA. Walsh will be studying a recently identified rare APOE variant that may improve blood vessel function to remove the protein waste that builds up in the brain. This study may significantly improve the understanding of factors contributing to CAA pathology and potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies for patients.
Learn more: Two scientific researchers to receive 2025 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health
2024 Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships in Brain Health Award recipients
Patrick Devlin, PhD
University of Texas, Houston
Project: Ischemic brain injury-induced senescence as a delayed target to mitigate cognitive decline and chronic neurodegeneration
Devlin’s research is on the after-effects of stroke, specifically how the brain may age more quickly after stroke, including the aging process of immune cells in the brain. The goal is to increase understanding of cognitive decline and dementia after stroke for new treatments to be developed for people who have had a stroke, resulting in fewer complications like memory loss.
Cyprien Rivier, MD, MSc
Yale University
Project: The clock is ticking: harnessing biological age to preserve brain health
Rivier’s research is on how biological age impacts the brain, exploring whether people with a younger biological age are less likely to develop dementia and stroke. The goal is to find better ways for people to take care of their brain, lowering the risk of major health problems for longer, healthier lives.
Learn more: Two Researchers to Receive First-Ever Ralph L. Sacco Scholarships for Brain Health
Ralph L. Sacco, MD, MS, FAAN, FAHA, served as president of both the AAN and AHA, mentored countless neurologists, and was an international expert on stroke epidemiology and health disparities. He died in January 2023 from a brain tumor. The scholarships are jointly funded by the AAN and the AHA—a fitting way to continue his legacy with both organizations to advance the field of brain health. “The Sacco Scholars Program embodies Ralph’s interest in maintaining a healthy brain and his dedication to scientific and academic pursuits,” said AAN Past President Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, who was close friends with Sacco. “I know he would be pleased with this program. Funding for early career trainees has become very challenging over recent years. The Sacco Scholars Program will address that, giving young researchers a chance to launch and continue much-needed work in the science of brain health. This is a lasting, impactful way for Ralph’s legacy of mentorship and research to continue for years to come.”