Robert Swanda, a double major in nutrition science in Falk College and biology in The College of Arts and Sciences was named a 2016 Syracuse University Scholar, the highest undergraduate academic honor that the university bestows. University Scholars represent the Class of 2016 at the May 15 Commencement ceremony and are selected through a competitive process that evaluates course work and academic achievement, creative work, and how a student has taken his or her knowledge and experience out of the classroom and engaged the world.
“Robert is a curious and dedicated learner, an effective leader with a caring attitude and strong work ethic committed to making Syracuse University and the surrounding community a better place to live,” says Falk College Dean Diane Lyden Murphy. Upon graduation in May, he will move into a Ph.D. program at Cornell University in biomedical science and physiology. As an undergraduate, he has been immersed in several very different and rigorous research projects, with the goal of continuing an aspect of this research at the graduate level. In the Renee Crown Honors Program, he has completed three separate honors thesis projects investigating biochemical enzyme temperature regulation, obesity prevention, and the disruption of endocrine and neurobiological mechanisms.
“My three research projects throughout my time as an undergraduate have allowed me to explore scientific questions by using proteomic techniques to understand enzyme kinetics, auditing tools to understand obesity related to environmental influence, and gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry and blood sampling to examine environmental influence over rapid evolutionary changes in metabolism. During my time at Syracuse University, my independent research experiences have solidified my ambition to run a research lab of my own at an academic institution or in industry to bring scientific breakthroughs to my community,” says Swanda.
Falk College has a reputation for having the academic programs that specifically prepare students for making the world a better place. While service learning is embedded in all Falk undergraduate programs, many students embrace these opportunities outside of the classroom. Robert saw the need in the Syracuse community for instilling skills and values beyond critical thinking when he got involved with the Smart Mentoring Program through the Office of Engagement Programs his freshman year.
“As I worked with students ages 10-14, I began to notice a large gap in their understanding around critical issues such as race, religion, and interpersonal conflict. To help them, Fareya Zubair (ESF ’16) and I took a scientific approach, and read psychology journals on the development of empathy. This work later evolved into Empathy Matters, an eight-week mentoring program Fareya and I cofounded for students ages 7-8 to develop their compassion, leadership, and confidence skills, while tying all lessons back to empathy,” says Swanda. Robert’s vision includes expanding the Empathy Matters program beyond Syracuse.
“Rob has a unique vision for his future: to use his background in ecology, physiology, and nutrition to work on large-scale social and ecosystem-based health problems. His transdisciplinary training at SU and his aspirations have put him at the forefront of an emerging field that seeks to integrate public and ecosystem health,” says Margaret Voss, professor of practice, nutrition, who is Swanda’s academic advisor and research project supervisor. “I am truly honored to have been part of his professional journey and I look forward to seeing where his talent takes him in the future.”