This week, we are featuring the 2015 Falvey Scholars and giving you the chance to get to know these bright young adults up close and personal. Not only are they very smart – they’re very interesting! Just last week, Falvey Memorial Library, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, and the Honors Program announced the 2015 Falvey Scholars Award winners: Katie Kline, Elizabeth Long, Jessica Swoboda, Nicholas Ader, Joseph Schaadt and John Szot. These six remarkable senior students have been selected from a pool of candidates from various disciplines for their outstanding undergraduate student research projects at Villanova University. Click here for a listing of their projects as presented at the 2015 Falvey Scholars Awards Presentation and Reception Ceremony.

Featuring John Szot

John Szot is a Senior Biology and English major from Keene, New Hampshire. He works in the Curry lab, which studies the hybrid zone between Black-capped and Carolina chickadees about an hour north of Villanova. He enjoys fishing, reading, and playing the piano.

Project Title: “Song Recognition in Black-Capped and Carolina Chickadee Hybrids: An Experimental Approach”

I am inspired by William Carlos Williams. Also, actor-firefighter Steve Buscemi.

If I could be any person for a day, I’d be Daniel Day-Lewis, which I guess means I’d be whoever Daniel Day-Lewis decided to be that day.

My favorite Villanova memory is the Special Olympics Fall Festival, every year.

While working on my research project, I was challenged by perfecting the art of self-discipline. With no deadlines or constant professorial oversight, I found I really needed to learn to put the onus on myself to come into the lab and get work done.

Today I’m feeling the color Crayola macaroni orange.

I’m listening to Startalk, with Neil Degrasse Tyson. And Run the Jewels. Definitely Run the Jewels.

One Summer Adventure I’m daydreaming about is finally getting to jump from the highest rock at the Fitzwilliam quarry.

Happiness is faith, family, and friends.

Everyone should know that there’s a proper way to tie your shoes.

I am amazed by waterbears, waterfalls, and Waterloo.

Waterbear via Wikimedia Commons

Thanks, John!