University of Groningen
Control of translational and rotational movement at nanoscale
Stacko, Peter
IMPORTANT NOTE: You are advised to consult the publisher's version (publisher's PDF) if you wish to cite from it. Please check the document version below.
Document Version
Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record
Publication date: 2017
Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database
Citation for published version (APA):
Stacko, P. (2017). Control of translational and rotational movement at nanoscale. University of Groningen.
Copyright
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons).
Take-down policy
If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.
Downloaded from the University of Groningen/UMCG research database (Pure): http://www.rug.nl/research/portal. For technical reasons the number of authors shown on this cover page is limited to 10 maximum.
Acknowledgment
| 231
Acknowledgment
It feels as if it was merely few months ago that I started my PhD in Groningen, yet it has been over five years. When I look back, I realize how much work has been done and how many cool projects were completed. A lot of this would not have been possible without other people.
Ben, not only I was lucky in 2011 to receive a positive reply (or a reply at all for that matter) to my request for Erasmus stay in your group, but I was also lucky that you had relentlessly insisted that I come to do my PhD in your group. Fortunately for both of us, my Fulbright application was rejected and I turned up in your group. Even though you spend a great of time travelling, I learnt a lot from you; not only about science, but for example that the ability to motivate people and present your research is probably as much important as the research you do. Those five years in your group completely changed the way I perceive science now. In the end, you also managed to learn that I am not from Croatia or Poland.
Wesley, thank you for always being helpful when it comes to spectroscopy instruments and obscure analytical methods. People say that you are harsh and rule the corridors of Stratingh Institute ruthlessly, but I know somebody needs to keep us, the rabid students, in check.
I would like to thank my reading committee – prof. Nolte, prof. Chiechi and prof. Katsonis for correcting this thesis in an unusually express manner.
Pieter, Theodora and Hans are acknowledged for all their technical support. Tineke, undoubtedly, you are the mother of the group, holding it together like a glue. I am fairly positive that without you, I would not finish my PhD. Not because of scientific incompetence, but because of all your help with the administrative struggles and pestering Ben. Also, please forgive me the times I was sloppy or lazy and you had to chase me because of that.
Ivuša, we had walked a large part of our lives together, yet in the end it was Netherlands where our paths have separated. Nevertheless, I do not regret any of
Acknowledgment
232 |
it. I have witnessed you to grow from an insecure student to an excellent and independent researcher, and for that I am proud of you. You influenced who I am today, you helped me a lot throughout the years and you will always remain my friend.
Jos, when I first met you during my PhD, you came across as a massive and arrogant jerk to me. I have no idea how Ben’s cunning and diabolical plan to make us work together was born, but it for sure worked. The collaboration with you was always extremely efficient and fruitful, I felt like it was very easy to exchange thoughts and ideas with you. I mean, a Science, a Nature Chemistry and several other papers – not bad, eh? I am gonna say worth. As our cooperation progressed, I began to realize you are actually a pretty cool guy with a lot of knowledge with whom I can discuss many different topics outside of chemistry, and I consider you a friend now. Now, if only you did not find Slovak alcohol too strong, you would be a decent person…
Stefano, I remember when we met and you were struggling to make the very first motor in your life, failing over and over again (usual course of events). From this point, we became friends and fought this battle called PhD together. You are very hard working and meticulous chemist and that impresses me. You know chemistry is a bitch sometimes, so do not take it too seriously. We talked about probably everything, and I really enjoyed it, especially talking about Italian food, music, games. Also, thanks to you, we have heard it all in the lab – from Irish folk, to death metal and screamo. I hope our paths will cross once again and we will be rocking in a lab together.
Derk Jan, thank you for spending several first months of my PhD in the lab with you and embarking on the journey to make several grams of the most ridiculous amphiphile ever made in our lab. If only poor Petra knew…
Tom, unexpectedly, we somehow stayed together throughout almost the entire PhD. We first started together in Massimo’s lab in the A-wing and then moved together to the C-wing where you became the Zaalassistant in our lab. I could not wish for a better one, very chilled with a very good sense of humor. Keep calm and synthesize, Tom.
Acknowledgment
| 233
Beatrice, you’re a sweet girl with a lot of knowledge on different subjects. Sharing and discussing opinions and ideas with you, regarding both chemistry and outside world felt always oddly satisfying. I truly admire your passion for science and knowledge.Anouk, you’re a similar case to Jos. Nevertheless, while pretty crazy at times, you turned out to be a pretty funny girl.
The past and current members of both the motor subgroup and the rest of the group (in no particular order) – Wojtek, Wen-Hao, Matea, Diedrich, Thomas, Jiawei, Jinling, Jurica, Jort, Sander, Henrieke, Petra, Johan, Martín, Valentino, Carlos, Massimo, Suresh, Wiktor are all acknowledged for their contributions. Peter, I miss the times spent with you in Linnaeusborg. I have always found your very broad knowledge of synthetic chemistry impressive. Also, it was you who showed me the charm of weightlifting and I will be forever grateful for that. Leničko, you are the most important person in my life. It was only because of you I have not lost my sanity on numerous occasions and kept pushing through. Thank you for sharing the moments of both joy and sorrow with me and supporting me in everything I do. I truly and deeply love you.
Tomáš, while we can get annoyed with each other at times, I still love you and I will miss you in the lab. Good luck out there in the big world, boy.
My homie, Matej, thank you for the countless evenings spent talking, sharing troubles, gaming and co-op drinking to keep my sanity up.
My dad and Ivan, thank you for always believing in me.
