Cambridge, Mass. — Sarepta Therapeutics has named 25 recipients of its Route 79 Duchenne Scholarship Program for the 2026-2027 academic year, including 20 students living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and five siblings of people with the condition.
Now in its ninth year, the program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to support postsecondary education. Sarepta said the initiative has awarded more than 150 scholarships since its launch.
The program was originally created for students living with Duchenne and was expanded in 2022 to include siblings of people with the disease, recognizing the broader impact a Duchenne diagnosis can have on families.
“On behalf of Sarepta and the selection committee, we are thrilled to announce the 2026-2027 recipients of Route 79, The Duchenne Scholarship Program,” said Diane Berry, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Global Policy & Advocacy Officer at Sarepta.
“As we mark the ninth year of this program, we continue to be inspired by the commitment these students show to their education and their futures. This year’s class, which includes both new and repeat recipients, reflects a sustained focus on higher education among individuals living with Duchenne and demonstrates that students are not only pursuing their academic goals, but succeeding along the way.”
Recipients are selected by an independent committee of Duchenne community members based on academic records, community involvement, personal essays and recommendation letters. Applications are de-identified, and the committee is not told whether applicants have received or plan to receive a Sarepta therapy.
Among this year’s recipients is Charles Cooley, a rising sophomore at Southern Methodist University in Dallas who lives with Duchenne and is pursuing a degree in biology.
“In college, I feel fortunate to study something I genuinely care about while being surrounded by like-minded classmates and professors who share similar interests,” Cooley said. “I finally found my people and a place where I can learn, grow, and pursue my interests.”
The 2026-2027 Route 79 scholarship recipients are Selim Argun of Emmanuel College; Caleb Beebe of Union University; Brian Brown of Colby-Sawyer College; Easton Coleman of the University of Colorado Boulder; Jared Conant of the University of Southern Maine; Charles Cooley of Southern Methodist University; Corbin Fanning of Texas A&M University-College Station; Jaden Hui of McHenry County College; Aidan Leffler of the University of Washington-Seattle Campus; Alexander Llauro of California Lutheran University; Ryan Lugo of SUNY New Paltz; Heath Myers of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State World Campus; Thomas Parzymieso of Canisius College; Nicolas Raymond-Paez of Harford Community College; Evan Riley of the University of Maine; Ryan Schultz of Rowan University; Naya Singhania of San Jose State University; Connor Vassigh of the University of Houston-Downtown; Caulder Williams of Life University; and Mykhailo Yelizarov of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Sibling scholarship recipients are Jenna Austin of Duquesne University; Isabelle Bolton of Iowa State University; Sara Mouser of the University of Iowa; Megan Parzymieso of Xavier University; and Giovanna Vasconcelos da Costa e Silva of the University of Florida.
Sarepta said the Route 79 name refers to the 79 exons of the dystrophin gene. Changes in the gene can disrupt production of dystrophin, a protein that is essential for maintaining muscle structure and function.
