Sharon Negri, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurosurgery at the OUHSC Graduate College, has been awarded the highly competitive American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant. This prestigious award will support her groundbreaking research on the role of capsaicin—the active component in chili peppers—in preventing obesity-dependent cognitive impairment.

Negri’s work focuses on understanding how capsaicin can mitigate cognitive decline associated with obesity by investigating its molecular mechanisms and potential as a novel therapeutic strategy. The AHA fellowship provides her with critical funding to conduct essential experiments and access advanced research tools, such as functional ultrasound imaging, single-cell transcriptomics, and two-photon microscopy. Additionally, the fellowship enables her to attend key scientific conferences, fostering collaboration and professional development.

Reflecting on the grant application process, Negri shared valuable insights for future applicants. She emphasized the importance of clearly defining the research focus and aligning the study’s objectives with the AHA’s mission to address cardiovascular and stroke-related issues. For her project, she highlighted the connection between obesity, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia, positioning capsaicin as a promising intervention.

Negri also stressed the significance of innovation, recommending that applicants incorporate cutting-edge methodologies to strengthen their proposals. Furthermore, she underscored the value of strong mentorship, advising applicants to showcase the guidance they receive from experienced researchers and how the fellowship will contribute to their long-term growth as independent investigators. Lastly, she encouraged postdocs to seek feedback from colleagues and mentors before submitting their applications to refine their proposals and maximize their chances of success.

“Securing the AHA fellowship is a transformative step in my research career,” Negri said. “I encourage new postdocs to approach the application process with clarity, innovation, and a strong career vision.”

The OUHSC Graduate College congratulates Dr. Negri on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to the impact of her research in advancing our understanding of cognitive impairment and obesity-related health challenges.