Need advice on addressing a mistake that will probably come up during interview!

[thembtwins]

In my research statement, I wrote that my work directly benefited from the research of Prof Jon Doe. While Prof. Jon Doe does work in the same niche field as me, it is not accurate that my research has directly benefited from his work. This was a mistake. I don’t think I had a clear enough picture of what he did when I wrote that (I saw the buzz words of my field and went with it). 

Turns out he was on the admissions committee, liked my work, and personally called to tell me I will be getting an interview, so obviously I will be talking to him. I am looking for advice on how to deal with this situation. Like I mentioned, my work is closely related but absolutely not directly benefited from his. In the event that he asks, how exactly I “directly benefited” I could A. play dumb and say something along the lines of oh well just that this is in the same field or B. own up and admit that I overstated/did not fully grasp what he did when I wrote it. I am really struggling on how I will handle this and the correct words to use. It is by far my top school and I don’t want this to ruin my chances. 

 

PS. This is for a molecular biology program