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13 Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Matthias, for giving me the op- portunity to perform research in a pleasant, and highly skilled environment. You gave me plenty of freedom within the broadly sketched lines of my projects, guiding me when need- ed and providing crucial insights and suggestions along the way. I always enjoyed discuss- ing results with you, although it was at times frustrating to be forced to not only understand all the results in detail, but also provide a decent, yet elegant explanation. I look forward to continue our collaboration with the few plans that we still have left.
Célia, you were never officially involved in my PhD trajectory, but made a significant contribution with numerous small tips, bits of advice and, ultimately, a fruitful joint project.
Thanks for your support, the amusing times when we shared an office, and of course for responding furiously to my politically less correct remarks.
I am grateful to Willem-Jan, Abel and Gabor, who directly worked with me on vari- ous projects, but also became good friends. Thanks for all the nice discussions, especially those after working hours. I also like to thank all other collaborators, and those who shared with me their expertise (be it scientific, gastronomic, or otherwise). I thank the entire de- partment and SCM for support on various technical (and bureaucratic) problems and for enjoyable company. I hereby add a special mention for Pier: it is a great honor to have con- tributed to some of your wonderful compositions, and I hope to do so in the future!
I furthermore want to express my eternal gratitude to my ever-supportive parents and sisters, who, without quite understanding what I was doing, nevertheless shared whole- heartedly in the experience. I take great comfort in being part of such a family.
And finally, I thank my friends: those who came, or returned; those who I had to let go, for various reasons; and, perhaps most of all, those who are still with me. I deeply ap- preciate who you are.
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