Bradon Coy is a third-year student at the University of Florida studying entomology and nematology and a proud multi-year recipient of Sarepta’s Route 79, The Duchenne Scholarship Program. The scholarship, named after the 79 exons in the dystrophin gene, supports students diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their siblings in pursuing post-high school education. Each year, Sarepta awards up to 20 academic scholarships to individuals living with Duchenne and five additional scholarships to siblings.
In this video, Bradon shares how a childhood fascination with insects sparked a journey that took him from catching bugs in his backyard to exploring the rainforest on a bug safari, launching his own educational podcast and YouTube channel, and ultimately pursuing a college degree in entomology. Now living independently on a campus 3,000 miles from home, Bradon reflects on the importance of staying curious and believing in your dreams.
Watch the video or read Bradon’s story below.
Read Bradon's story, from bug-loving kid to scholar, in his own words:
“My name is Bradon. I'm a third-year student at the University of Florida studying entomology and nematology. I've been into insects since I was, like, 4 years old, as long as I can remember. And it's just always been a huge passion of mine.
When I was 11, I had an amazing opportunity to have a Make-A-Wish. I knew exactly, immediately what I wanted to do. I didn't want to go to Disneyland. I wanted to go to the Amazon to hunt bugs. One of the things that I learned there was that, realistically, you know, with Duchenne, I'm probably not going to be a field biologist. What I learned is that I really love to explain and teach people about insects.
When I came back, I started doing insect workshops, where we would learn how to curate an insect collection, and that slowly turned into a more of an online thing. So what I do right now is a podcast and a YouTube channel. So, I talk with entomologists from all over the world, a different expert every week. And then the YouTube channel is, I do a series right now called “Bug of the Week.” I go over a different bug group and explain their natural history and why they're so cool and interesting.
I grew up being the bug kid. But here, there's a bunch of other bug kids.
I wanted to go somewhere for entomology, and I got into UF, which was very exciting. And I was like, well, I guess we're I guess we're doing this! So yeah, I moved across the country. And Washington state to Florida is about as far as you can go without leaving the country.
I grew up being the bug kid. But being here, it's like there's a bunch of other bug kids. I live, on campus, in a single room. And I'm live able to live completely independently. The most accessible space that I've ever lived in.
I'm able to be part of this awesome community of people chasing after our passion.
I first learned about the Route 79 scholarship when I was applying to go to school out of state and, looking at the costs associated with that. I'm able to be part of this awesome community of people and young men who are chasing after our passions. Despite our limitations. And that's just really inspiring for me to see all of them and what they're doing, as well.
If I could give my younger self any piece of advice, I would just tell him that it all works out in the end. And with a little bit of help, you can do anything, including moving all the way across the country to go to college.”
Learn more about Bradon's insect workshops, podcast and YouTube channel at the Lil Dudes Insect Academy website.
Learn more about Route 79, The Duchenne Scholarship Program here.
