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2025-2026 Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience

Insights and Introductions: Meet the 2025–2026 Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience

The University of Virginia is proud to announce the 2025–26 cohort of Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience. In the following Q&A, meet the people behind the research—what drives their curiosity, the challenges they’re tackling, and their visions for the future of neuroscience.

Sarah Kucenas in zebrafish lab.

A Conversation with Sarah Kucenas

As she transitions into a new leadership role within the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences as Associate Dean for Research, Sarah Kucenas reflects on her impactful tenure as co-director of the UVA Brain Institute in the following Q&A.

Three scientists white coats

Discovery Could Battle Alzheimer’s by Boosting Blood Flow to Brain

New research, led by Ukpong B. Eyo, UVA Department of Neuroscience, suggests an unexpected way doctors may be able to improve blood flow to the brain to battle Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The scientists believe problems with these microglia could be contributing to failing brain health, and targeting them could help us prevent or reverse memory-stealing diseases caused or worsened by lack of adequate blood flow.

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Sontheimer

Brain Cancer Discoveries Earn Sontheimer Top Award

UVA School of Medicine’s Harald Sontheimer, PhD, and Stanford’s Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, have received the 2025 International Prize in Translational Neuroscience from the Gertrud Reemtsma Foundation for their pioneering research in the emerging field of cancer neuroscience. The foundation noted that Sontheimer and Monie’s work has “fundamentally changed our understanding of brain tumors” and opened the door to desperately needed new treatments.

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Sarah Kucenas

UVA College of Arts & Sciences Names Sarah Kucenas Associate Dean for Research

Sarah Kucenas, co-director of the UVA Brain Institute and Owen R. Cheatham Professor of the Sciences, has been appointed Associate Dean for Research in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, effective July 1, 2025.

Image of the Rotunda during the 2024 UVA Brain Symposium

Call for Applications: Co-Director, UVA Brain Institute

The UVA Brain Institute invites applications for the position of Co-Director, to serve alongside current director Jaideep Kapur. This leadership position reports jointly to the Executive Vice President & Provost and the Vice President for Research. The Co-Director will help guide and grow the Institute’s research portfolio, infrastructure, training programs, and strategic partnerships.

Left image: Community Health Worker DeAnna Harris working with a rural patient Top right image: The "stress ball" is an example of our popular interactive teaching methods. Bottom right image: Healthy Streets/Healthy People community event.

WellAware Community Health Worker Program: Enhancing Brain Health Literacy in Charlottesville and Surrounding Rural Communities

The WellAware Community Health Worker (CHW) program, housed within the Population Health Department at the University of Virginia, is collaborating with the UVA Brain Institute and the Department of Neurology on a new initiative to enhance brain health literacy in Charlottesville and the surrounding rural communities.

Members of UVA’s leadership community present a check to commemorate President Jim Ryan’s “Run With Jim” Boston Marathon campaign. From left to right: Senior Associate Vice President for Health System Development Amy Karr, Department of Neurology Chair Dr. Xuemei Huang, Brain Institute Co-Director Dr. Jaideep Kapur, Brain Institute Co-Director Sarah Kucenas, Ryan, Interim Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Dr. Mitch Rosner and John Lukens, director of the Harrison Center for Translational Alzheimer

President Ryan’s Marathon Campaign for Alzheimer’s Celebrated with Check, Signs of Hope

UVA President Jim Ryan’s 14th Boston Marathon raised a record $79,517 to support Alzheimer’s research and patient care, honoring a personal connection and inspiring hope for a cure.

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Math Anxiety Is Contagious. This UVA Researcher Knows How To Break the Cycle

Tanya Evans, an associate professor, says the notion some people are naturally bad at math doesn’t add up.

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Immune System Discovery Reveals Potential Solution to Alzheimer’s

A new way of thinking about Alzheimer’s disease has yielded a discovery that could be the key to stopping the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. University of Virginia School of Medicine scientists have been investigating the possibility that Alzheimer’s is caused, at least in part, by the immune system’s wayward attempts […]

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2024-2025 Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience

2024-2025 Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience Highlight Latest Research

On Friday, May 30, members of the UVA neuroscience community came together to celebrate the 2024-25 cohort of Presidential Fellows in Collaborative Neuroscience. Jointly supported by the Provost’s Office and the UVA Brain Institute, the fellowship program champions interdisciplinary mentorship and transformative research in neuroscience.

community engagement

Awarded Community Engagement Pilot Grants

The Brain Institute is pleased to announce the community engagement pilot grant awardees.

UVA School of Medicine research shows age-driven DNA damage sparks brain inflammation and cell loss linked to Alzheimer’s, pointing to a new treatment approach. (Illustration by Tobias Wilbur, University Communications)

UVA Study: Brain’s Defense System May Drive Alzheimer’s

John Lukens directs UVA’s Harrison Family Translational Research Center in Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases and a new study reveals that blocking an immune system molecule in mice prevented memory loss and other signs of mental decline.

Illustration by John DiJulio, University Communications

Q&A: What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, the Condition Billy Joel Just Revealed?

Musician Billy Joel recently canceled his concert tour, announcing he will undergo physical therapy for a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus that is affecting his hearing, vision and balance. UVA Health’s Neurology Department recently opened a clinic to treat the condition, so UVA Today asked the clinic’s Dr. Michael Catalino about the condition, who is vulnerable and how it is treated.