Janine Kwapis, PhD (Pennsylvania State University) and Sanaz Sedaghat, PhD (University of Minnesota) will each receive $750,000 to lead transformative research in the field of cognitive aging
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and the McKnight Brain Research Foundation (MBRF) are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss: Janine Kwapis, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University, and Sanaz Sedaghat, PhD, of the University of Minnesota.
Now in its fourth year, the Innovator Awards provide funding to research scientists pursuing groundbreaking studies in the field of cognitive aging.
Janine Kwapis, PhD, is an Assistant Professor and Paul Berg Early Career Professor in Biology at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Kwapis’ project, “Improving Cognitive Flexibility in Old Age by Fixing the Transcriptome within Memory Cells,” aims to better understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that support the memory updating process. Most human memories are updates, changes to things we have already learned. Although there is evidence that aging individuals across species have difficulty updating memories, we know very little about the mechanisms that underlie this decline.
Sanaz Sedaghat, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Sedaghat’s project, “Biological Aging Clock: A Tool to Differentiate Cognitive Aging Trajectories,” aims to study whether biological aging can predict different paths of cognitive decline. Dr. Sedaghat’s lab is developing “protein-based aging clocks” that use protein data to measure a person’s biological age, which can differ from their actual age. By studying these clocks, Dr. Sedaghat hopes to identify who might be at risk for faster cognitive decline, which could help develop ways to slow down the process and improve quality of life.
Dr. Kwapis and Dr. Sedaghat will each receive a three-year award totaling $750,000. The successful program has already supported six investigators in previous years. This year, MBRF renewed its commitment with a $4,626,500 award to AFAR to expand the network of investigators who focus their research on cognitive aging and memory loss.
“The Innovator Awards underscore the McKnight Brain Research Foundation’s commitment to identifying and rewarding the outstanding scientists leading groundbreaking cognitive aging research. With Dr. Kwapis and Dr. Sedaghat already demonstrating a strong commitment to the field, we are excited to support their work to better understand and prevent the effects of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss. We hope their findings move us closer to our ultimate goal of helping people maintain their brain and cognitive health throughout their lifespan.”
Michael L. Dockery, MD, Chair of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation
“In their first four years, the McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards have supported an impressive roster of talent who are making great advances in the field of cognitive aging. AFAR is pleased to continue our partnership with the McKnight Brain Research Foundation and is proud to support these inspiring investigators, continuing our long support of promising research on cognitive health and healthy aging.”
Stephanie Lederman, EdM, Executive Director, AFAR
Learn more about The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards in Cognitive Aging and Memory Loss here.