On Wednesday November 7th I successfully defended my dissertation at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. Many thanks to those who came out to support me and to celebrate. There are some people I want to mention specifically, for their support and collaborations. The following is copied from my thesis:
The years that have gone into this dissertation have outlined a scientific journey that has given me more than I could have imagined. What is written in the rest of this work before you, is just the part of that journey that would fit a thesis. Apart from all the science I have worked my way through the last years, there has been the necessary personal growth. I’m pretty sure the two cannot be disentangled, actually. I owe a great deal to the following people for enabling all of this:
Thank you to all Hiwi’s and support staff. It’s easy to forget how much easier you have made it to “just get things done”. Bettina Schultz, you have always gone the extra mile and it was noticed. Marvin, Aylin, Daniela, thank you for all your hard work. It can’t be easy minding the details for a self-described perfectionist. You guys rock.
Thank you, fellow SGL members, for keeping me on my toes scientifically and being a fun bunch.
Jona Sassenhagen, without you this thesis would have looked very different. I will never forget that you drew out continuous time regression in the snow for me. It turned out to be the solution to something I couldn’t solve on my own.
Thank you Kenneth Holmqvist and Diederick Niehorster for your hospitality and a productive time in Sweden.
I thank the people at Utrecht University, in particular Roy Hessels, for continued fruitful and fun collaborations that I’ve been involved in over the last few years.
Jim and Edwin, thanks for your reminders that we all go through the same things as Ph.D. students and for reminding me that literally anything can be a laughing matter. We’re all going to hell.
My friends in Utrecht. Although all this stuff in my life happens far, far away, you have always welcomed me back with open arms and showed an interest in my life, all of you. Special thanks to Pat, Rem, and Nelis. You guys have shown me that distance can really mean almost nothing.
I came to Frankfurt alone. When I leave, I am leaving behind a group of people who have made this a life rather than just a job, and a home rather than just a city. You guys know who you are. I once said that friendship is earned and not deserved. If I have earned your friendship, I’m honored. Special shouts to Müller, Juan and Greppy for making SW home. To Katha for being Katha, convincing me to come for that “one drink” when I was ready to stay on the couch. And to David for listening and for being my buddy from day 1. Around you guys I have always been able to be completely myself.
Thank you Dr. Dejan Draschkow. For putting up with me for three years in one office and for coaching me in appropriate levels of inappropriate-ness. But seriously, you’ve been an example in many regards buddy.
Ignace Hooge, without you none of this would even have started. You sat me down one day on De Uithof, with a can of tasteless cola light, and explained that this was a job. Later, at ECEM in Lund, you encouraged me to talk to “the lady over there”. That lady was Melissa Võ. The rest is history. And that would not be the only time you vouched for me, to help me progress. Loyalty and trust have enabled us to clash in favor of a better result. Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and music. I consider you a mentor, a colleague, and a friend.
Melissa Võ. Where do I even start, Melissa. Your support has been limitless and visibly came from the bottom of your heart. Being mama Melissa to an entire lab including a stubborn little Dutchman cannot have been easy. I hope I have never taken your efforts for granted. You have also shown me what it means to push for more, in order to be better. Not to mention shaped my view on academia in general. Since we all came to Frankfurt you have created something that I’m proud to be part of. I also came here thinking this would be a scientific task to accomplish. Thanks to you it has brought me so much more. It has been, and will continue to be, like good whiskey.
“... The things that keep us apart, keep me alive. The things that keep me alive, keep me alone ...”
Fink - “This is the thing”
To my family. You have become the center around which my life is in orbit. If I did not have good reason to be here, I would be with you. Your understanding, encouragement, and support have meant the world to me. This is the thing.
The years that have gone into this dissertation have outlined a scientific journey that has given me more than I could have imagined. What is written in the rest of this work before you, is just the part of that journey that would fit a thesis. Apart from all the science I have worked my way through the last years, there has been the necessary personal growth. I’m pretty sure the two cannot be disentangled, actually. I owe a great deal to the following people for enabling all of this:
Thank you to all Hiwi’s and support staff. It’s easy to forget how much easier you have made it to “just get things done”. Bettina Schultz, you have always gone the extra mile and it was noticed. Marvin, Aylin, Daniela, thank you for all your hard work. It can’t be easy minding the details for a self-described perfectionist. You guys rock.
Thank you, fellow SGL members, for keeping me on my toes scientifically and being a fun bunch.
Jona Sassenhagen, without you this thesis would have looked very different. I will never forget that you drew out continuous time regression in the snow for me. It turned out to be the solution to something I couldn’t solve on my own.
Thank you Kenneth Holmqvist and Diederick Niehorster for your hospitality and a productive time in Sweden.
I thank the people at Utrecht University, in particular Roy Hessels, for continued fruitful and fun collaborations that I’ve been involved in over the last few years.
Jim and Edwin, thanks for your reminders that we all go through the same things as Ph.D. students and for reminding me that literally anything can be a laughing matter. We’re all going to hell.
My friends in Utrecht. Although all this stuff in my life happens far, far away, you have always welcomed me back with open arms and showed an interest in my life, all of you. Special thanks to Pat, Rem, and Nelis. You guys have shown me that distance can really mean almost nothing.
I came to Frankfurt alone. When I leave, I am leaving behind a group of people who have made this a life rather than just a job, and a home rather than just a city. You guys know who you are. I once said that friendship is earned and not deserved. If I have earned your friendship, I’m honored. Special shouts to Müller, Juan and Greppy for making SW home. To Katha for being Katha, convincing me to come for that “one drink” when I was ready to stay on the couch. And to David for listening and for being my buddy from day 1. Around you guys I have always been able to be completely myself.
Thank you Dr. Dejan Draschkow. For putting up with me for three years in one office and for coaching me in appropriate levels of inappropriate-ness. But seriously, you’ve been an example in many regards buddy.
Ignace Hooge, without you none of this would even have started. You sat me down one day on De Uithof, with a can of tasteless cola light, and explained that this was a job. Later, at ECEM in Lund, you encouraged me to talk to “the lady over there”. That lady was Melissa Võ. The rest is history. And that would not be the only time you vouched for me, to help me progress. Loyalty and trust have enabled us to clash in favor of a better result. Thank you for your continued support, collaboration, and music. I consider you a mentor, a colleague, and a friend.
Melissa Võ. Where do I even start, Melissa. Your support has been limitless and visibly came from the bottom of your heart. Being mama Melissa to an entire lab including a stubborn little Dutchman cannot have been easy. I hope I have never taken your efforts for granted. You have also shown me what it means to push for more, in order to be better. Not to mention shaped my view on academia in general. Since we all came to Frankfurt you have created something that I’m proud to be part of. I also came here thinking this would be a scientific task to accomplish. Thanks to you it has brought me so much more. It has been, and will continue to be, like good whiskey.
“... The things that keep us apart, keep me alive. The things that keep me alive, keep me alone ...”
Fink - “This is the thing”
To my family. You have become the center around which my life is in orbit. If I did not have good reason to be here, I would be with you. Your understanding, encouragement, and support have meant the world to me. This is the thing.
