University of Groningen
Novel Methods towards Rare Sugars Based on Site-Selective Chemistry
Wan, Ieng Chim (Steven)
DOI:
10.33612/diss.150384050
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Publication date: 2021
Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database
Citation for published version (APA):
Wan, I. C. S. (2021). Novel Methods towards Rare Sugars Based on Site-Selective Chemistry. University of Groningen. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.150384050
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Looking at the calendar, I still cannot believe that I have been to Groningen for seven years already! It has been a long way, with people coming and going, but I value every single memories that I have made during all these years. Pages in my thesis are probably too short for all the thanks that are well deserved during all these years. I would like to start by thanking my two promoters, Prof. Minnaard and Prof. Witte, without whom I would not be able to achieve what I have achieved, and without whom I probably would not be standing where I am.
Adri, I cannot thank you more for all these years. You have accepted me into your group twice. I still remembered how anxious I was when I was applying for the master program here, and you were the one who helped me through the process. I came into your group hoping to pay back what I have owed you, finding out that I have just owed you more from then on. You were probably very shocked that I could not do a proper column when I first came here after my education in Berkeley. Looking back, I have grown a lot as a chemist, as a teacher, and as a person, all thanks to you. These words cannot encompass the amount of gratitude that I have for you, just as in the Chinese saying:大恩不言謝 (great favors cannot be thanked with words).
Martin, it was absolutely a pleasure to work with you. On one hand, you are always available on answering questions which popped up during my research, be it big or small. On the other hand, you are always emotionally supportive. You really helped me through the difficult times when I was entirely stuck at my research. Your leadership skill has set a very good example for me and inspired me to become a better teacher and mentor. Matthias and Trevor, thank you for your supervision during my time in Amsterdam. Even from the other side of the Chemistry world, your research has always been inspirational for me, and I enjoyed all the group meetings in the Bickelhaupt group.
Sara and Wesley, thank you for all the advices that you have given to me. Even though there are still a lot of unanswered questions on the project, I am really amazed at how much we managed when the thesis was written.
Marthe, thank you for all the knowledge in sugar chemistry. You definitely made sugars less of a monster to work with for me. I wish I can master your way of communicating science to the public too. Maybe with that I can finally convince my father that I am more knowledgeable than the editor at the news company!
Nittert, you are still shocked that I chose you as my paranymph right? Yes, you are chosen despite all the yelling and screaming that you have had from me! To be honest though, I value you as a colleague. I think you and I and Ramon learned a lot from each other. Our office has been a good office.
Niels, even though you were the new member to our office, I have learned a lot from you, both on research, on teaching and on a personal level as well. Most of all, thanks to you (Mira and Romain), I was able to walk out from the shadow that I have dropped into. Ramon, it has been a pleasure to have you as an officemate. You said that I taught you much Chemistry, I will say that you taught me much more on how to deal with Microsoft
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software and filing taxes. I still remember how much easier excel and PowerPoint have become. Could I somehow have a robot copy of you standing next to me in my new office, so that I am not driven crazy by needing to change line thickness in PowerPoint? Peter, I would have never believe that I would have made it this far had you not been my supervisor. I still remember some of the most embarrassing moments working with you, but thanks to that I was able to go up a steep learning curve. Even though I know that you would never say this, but I am sure that you can be proud of me.
Niek and Nabil, your expertise in the lab helped me so much in overcoming the tsunamis happening constantly with unprotected sugars. I was lucky to have you two standing next to me during my research as my lab helpdesk.
Leti, Melanie, Jeffrey, Bea, Paul and Manuel, it has been long ago, but it does not mean that I forget you. The Netherlands and the Minnaard group would not have been as welcoming as it was had it not been for all of you. I would really like to throw a big thank-you party for thank-you all, but I guess everyone will have to wait a bit. Don’t blame me though! I didn’t create the pandemic!
Paulien and Sarina, on top of being helpful colleagues, thank you two for inviting me to different social events! Life is way more colorful with you two!
Mira and Romain, I cannot thank you two more for helping me out in such a personal crisis. Had it not been for you two, I do not even know where I would be now. I owe you two deeply for that.
Coffee team members (Ruben, Niek and Michiel and the aforementioned team members), we might not always agree on politics (and luckily we don’t, since we live in a free democracy), but we can all agree on one thing: it is helpful to talk about chemistry to each other even during coffee breaks! I believe that we have all learned a lot from each other. Bouke, do you know that you are the only full-time master student that I had during my PhD? I don’t know how much you learned from me, but you definitely trained my interpersonal skill as a supervisor. I hope that you like your job right now. If not, as I have always been saying, you have a natural talent in how to deal with people. I am sure that you would thrive in your career.
Hilda, thank you for handling all the paperwork for me during all these years. I hope that by the time you see this, you would have been better and up running.
Edwin, thank you for putting your faith in an organic chemist and put him in charge of tutoring your class. It was a dream come true for me. From all the reviews that you have got from the students, I also did quite a good job, didn’t I?
Theodora, Renze, Pieter, Johan, Oetze, Hans and Monique thank you all for all the technical work. I am thankful that my research was carried out in an institute with a professional, yet approachable team of analytical chemists and technicians. When I presented a problem, it was always solved in no time. I probably have to get used to days in the future when I am not blessed with such a wonder team of support staff.
182 爸,媽,哥,雖然我們都是獨立的個體,有獨立的思想,思想上也會有分歧,但我很明 白,沒有你們的支持,我今日是成不了博士的.請讓我誠心說一句:謝謝.雖然我將 來很大機會留在歐洲發展,但我相信這不會成為我們間的隔閡.相反,我希望可以 借此機會來把你們沒見過的世界帶給你們看.爸,我今天就會是溫博士,如果你無 論如何都會擔心你的小兒子,希望博士二字能讓你安心.我別無所求,只望你和媽 生活愉快,將來可以安享晚年,不再為在千里之外的我操心.
To Nol, Rob, Carlijn, Martijn, Stef, Ruben, Simon, and all the students that I have ever taught, I have this last bit of wisdom for you (quoted shamelessly from Xunzi)
青出於藍 而青於藍 (Chinese)
青は藍より出でて藍より青し (Japanese)
The blue dye is made from the indigo plant, but [the color] is bluer (and sharper) than the indigo plant. (English)
