KNUST Alumna Sarah Otu-Boakye Wins Prestigious American Heart Association Fellowship
An alumna of the KNUST College of Health Sciences, Sarah Otu-Boakye, has been awarded the highly competitive American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship, in recognition of her groundbreaking research at the intersection of brain health and cardiovascular science.
Sarah completed her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) in 2018 and an MPhil in Pharmacology in 2022 at the KNUST Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is currently a Neuroscience doctoral researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Oklahoma, where she continues to build on the strong academic foundation established during her time at KNUST.
The fellowship recognises her promising research focused on the biological drivers of age-related cognitive decline. It supports emerging scientists whose work demonstrates strong potential to advance the understanding and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Otu-Boakye’s research explores how disruptions in lipid metabolism affect brain endothelial cells—the specialised cells that line the blood vessels of the brain—and how these changes contribute to vascular cognitive impairment, a condition closely linked to aging and declining brain function.
Her project specifically investigates how lipid accumulation within these cells can trigger metabolic reprogramming and cellular senescence. These processes are known to impair the brain’s microvascular system, ultimately contributing to cognitive decline. By examining these mechanisms, her work aims to deepen scientific understanding of how vascular health influences brain aging.
Through her research, Otu-Boakye seeks to uncover critical links between lipid metabolism, endothelial cell dysfunction, and cognitive health. Her findings could pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to preserve brain function and reduce the risk of age-associated cognitive impairment.
Beyond providing essential funding, the American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship offers advanced training opportunities in vascular biology, as well as access to mentorship from leading experts in the field. This experience is expected to further strengthen her capacity as a rising scientist committed to addressing complex health challenges at the intersection of cardiovascular and neurological research.
Her achievement reflects not only her personal dedication and academic excellence but also the quality of training and mentorship at the KNUST College of Health Sciences. Sarah Otu-Boakye’s success continues to serve as a source of inspiration to students and young researchers, reinforcing KNUST’s reputation as a hub for nurturing globally impactful health professionals.
