Brain Bridges
Brain Bridges is a podcast exploring the journeys that shape leaders in global brain health. The series features conversations with Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health working across science, medicine, advocacy, and the arts to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world.
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Building a Ship: Brain Health in Togo
07/06/2026
Building a Ship: Brain Health in Togo
In the second episode of Brain Bridges, host Victor Valcour speaks with Mawuli Lawson, a clinical neuropsychologist from Togo whose work is expanding access to brain health, cognitive care, and dementia prevention in his community. Mawuli reflects on his journey from psychology student to becoming one of the first clinical neuropsychologists in Togo. He shares the challenges of building a new field with limited resources, the importance of culturally relevant approaches to brain health, and how trust, patience, and empathy have shaped his leadership. He also discusses his efforts to engage communities, mentor the next generation of brain health leaders, and ensure that voices from smaller countries are included in global conversations about brain health. This conversation explores what it takes to build brain health from the ground up and the power of leadership rooted in community, persistence, and hope. In this episode Mawuli's journey to becoming one of Togo's first clinical neuropsychologists Building brain health services and culturally relevant tools in Togo How community partnerships and trust support brain health awareness Leadership, patience, and empathy in creating lasting change Why amplifying voices from smaller countries matters for global brain health About the guest Mawuli Lawson is a clinical neuropsychologist from Togo and founder of the Ahonhon Neuroscience Research Center in Lomé. He holds a PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology and serves as a lecturer in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Lomé. His clinical expertise includes early detection and prevention of neurocognitive disorders, cognitive rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury and stroke, and EMDR therapy for psychological trauma. Through Ahonhon, meaning "brain" in a local Togolese language, he expands access to culturally relevant brain health education, cognitive assessment, and dementia care. His work develops community-based approaches to cognitive stimulation and public awareness. Learn more at . Mawuli is an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. His mission is to promote healthy aging, improve early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders, and strengthen dementia care through research, education, and community engagement across Togo. About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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Leading with Purpose: Women in Brain Health
05/15/2026
Leading with Purpose: Women in Brain Health
In the first episode of Brain Bridges, host Victor Valcour speaks with Elisa Resende, a neurologist and neuroscientist in Brazil whose work explores how education, literacy, and opportunity shape brain health across the lifespan. Elisa reflects on her journey into medicine, the experiences that shaped her leadership, and the importance of equity in brain health research and care. She also discusses her work connecting literacy and cognitive health, the influence of her family and mentors, and her experiences as a woman leading in global brain health. This conversation explores the human stories behind research and the role of education, community, and leadership in shaping healthier futures. In this episode How Elisa’s upbringing and family shaped her path into medicine The relationship between literacy, education, and brain health Challenges and opportunities for women in leadership Brain health equity in Brazil and globally The value of interdisciplinary collaboration in brain health About the guest Elisa Resende is a neurologist and neuroscientist based in Brazil. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, and serves as Coordinator of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging at the Brazilian Academy of Neurology. Elisa holds a PhD in Neuroscience from UFMG. Her research focuses on dementia, cognitive reserve, and the impact of education and literacy on brain health, including the PROAME study on literacy training and cognitive aging. She is also an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, and collaborates on international initiatives aimed at strengthening dementia research and care in low- and middle-income countries. About the host Victor Valcour, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. He directs the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at the Global Brain Health Institute, UCSF, a global initiative that trains leaders across disciplines to address the challenges of dementia and promote equity in brain health. About the podcast Brain Bridges is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders working to improve brain health and reduce inequities around the world. The series is produced by the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at the Global Brain Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco. Production support provided by Podfly. Joshua Suhy serves as technical director, sound designer, and producer. Concept development and editorial direction by Niall Kavanagh. Podcast artwork by Atlantic Fellow Kiggundu Rodney, with design by Caroline Prioleau. New episodes are released monthly.
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