The UAB Department of Neurology welcomed Sarah Letang, Ph.D., to the faculty as assistant professor in February 2025.
Letang earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in clinical health psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She then completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Alabama.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, Letang spent six years working in the business sector, focusing on marketing and logistics. Eventually, her passion for the brain and behavior led her back to school to pursue a career in neuropsychology. During her doctoral program, she completed a neuropsychology track internship at the Central Arkansas VA, followed by a two-year fellowship in neuropsychology at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) within the neurology department in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Letang shares her passion for brain health, neuropsychology, and empowering patients through education and compassionate care.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field
Letang: I've always been fascinated by the brain. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I began volunteering in a neurology department at a local hospital, which opened my eyes to the many exciting career paths within neurology and neuroscience. I had the opportunity to work alongside the research team, and it was through that experience that I discovered how intriguing neuropsychology truly is, which ultimately inspired me to return to school and pursue it further.
What is your primary area of expertise within your field, and what sparked your passion for it?
Letang: My primary areas of expertise include dementia-related conditions (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy Body dementia), as well as movement disorders, epilepsy, and neuropsychological care for cancer patients.
What aspects of your new role here are you most excited about?
Letang: I’m most excited about the opportunity to work with a wide range of patients here in the neurology department, providing meaningful clinical care. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with colleagues in the neuropsychology division to expand our training programs, including internship and postdoctoral opportunities.
What are your goals for making an impact in this role?
Letang: My goals are to enhance patient education about the brain, increase awareness of various neurodegenerative diseases, and support individuals in caring for themselves or their loved ones through informed, compassionate guidance.