Topography-mediated myofiber formation and endothelial cell sprouting
Almonacid Suarez, A M
DOI:
10.33612/diss.127414004
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Publication date: 2020
Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database
Citation for published version (APA):
Almonacid Suarez, A. M. (2020). Topography-mediated myofiber formation and endothelial cell sprouting. University of Groningen. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.127414004
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Deciding to come to do a masters in the Netherlands changed my life. I did not only meet wonderful people, but I made my dream of becoming a scientist in tissue engineering come true. Ever since I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to study the human body and become a biomedical engineer. My parents always kept me motivated and supported all my adventures which resulted with me coming to the Netherlands.
I want to thank especially Patrick van Rijn for opening the doors of his lab to me when I was a second-year master student. During this period, I learnt a lot and was introduced to my other supervisor Marco Harmsen. I am deeply grateful to you for allowing me do research and learn so much from you both. The education you gave me was not only academic but also complete by showing me how communication is important, not only to lead projects, but to understand different life perspectives and cultures. I enjoyed the annual BBQ’s at Patrick where I felt I could bond with this group better. Marco’s Halloween party and international dinners also created a sense of unity among the group. I am incredibly grateful that I was part of both groups, and they always made me feel like I belonged in them both. Marco and Patrick, thank you very much for your supervision.
I would like to thank the technicians that guiding me the most during my PhD work: Linda
Brouwer, thank you very much for teaching me the techniques for staining, and helping me
with different ways of visualizing the cells in the PDMS. Klaas Sjollema, thank you ever so much for teaching me to do microscopy. I enjoyed it every time I took pictures. I appreciate all your guidance in ImageJ and with the different microscopes and advancements in the field. Joop, thank you very much for teaching me the AFM. Marja thank you very much for your teaching me the qPCR and helping me with experiments.
Qihui, thank you very much for your guidance during my masters. Gwenda, thank you for
sharing all the BME moments with me and being my peer at Patrick’s group.
Other Patrick’s group members or from the BME department that will remain in my heart for sharing nice knowledge at the lab, or happy moments at dinners, or outings (conferences, NBTE, Kolff days, etc.): Liangliang, Lu, Valentina, Taraneh, Lais, Guangyue,
Reinier, Damla, Torben, Maria Isabel and Irene. Also, former postdocs Olga and Philip. Marloes, Francisco, and Linda Vriend: I really enjoyed sharing the office with you at the
end. During stressful moments it was good to have your support and understanding while writing and finishing up experiments. I wish you all the best.
Guido, Byamba, Maroesjka, Jorien, Jolien, Julian, Monica, Vicenzo, Gabriel, Tacia, Joris, Xenos, Lysanne, Lucas and Vasilena. Most of you are now former members of CAVAREM.
Thank you very much for making me feel welcome in the group and transmitting your knowledge to me.
People from medical biology always available for a nice chat at the coffee room, for lunch or a break: Martha, Katherine, Dandan, Erna, Sophie, Henk Moorlag, Johan, Anita, Timara,
Josee, Bram, and Lian. Thank you for sharing laughs and knowledge.
Susana, Nataly, and Rebeca: The little Latin-American community always brought positive
vibes and encouragement to continue our research. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and good moments with me.
My students: Iris, Maria Jose, Mireille, and Daniel, thank you for teaching me how to teach. It was a great experience.
Vera: Thank you very much for supporting me throughout my whole PhD. You were there
supporting me from day one. I will always remember all the moments, from you visiting my place with Irene to make arepas, to our afternoons window shopping. You were incredibly supportive when I was struggling because I was homesick or because I was not getting the results I expected. You always made me see the other side of problem to make it a solution. You were more senior than me and you were a great example to follow in how to deal with things in the PhD process. Thank you very much.
Xaver and Vera: It has been wonderful being able to extend my friendship with Vera to
Xaver. Game of Thrones nights and dinners. Travels together to the Harz, England, and weekends in Veendam. All great moments that made my mind go away from the stress of a PhD and gave me a sense of family in the Netherlands and energies to continue forward.
Marloes: I always looked up to your research and handling of the lab and students. I think
you are a great researcher and person. It was a pleasure to share the office with you and get to know you more. We supported each other until the end, and we are now nearly there. I wish you the best.
Laura: It was amazing how we were supposed to meet each other from the beginning.
Sreejita introduced us because we were Colombian, but we decided to meet each other afterwards as we randomly had a connection. Gracias por todo el apoyo que me diste durante el PhD. Siempre recordare nuestros pocos pero largos almuerzos.
Spanish club: Magda, Nicole, Gosia: This was a great club to share and to get closer to you all as friends. It was a good place to remove myself from the stress and share my Spanish with all of you.
Nataly: Nos hicimos amigas casi desde el principio de mi PhD. Siempre voy a acordarme de
la familiaridad de tener cenas juntas y salir por cervezas. Tampoco se me va a olvidar que el mismo día que tu conociste a Sebastian, yo conocí a Matt. Te deseo todo lo mejor en tus nuevas aventuras con Sebastian
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Leah: You are the oldest friend in Groningen. Since we met in 2014, you have seen my
progress during my masters and PhD. Thank you for being there when I needed a friend and to feel at home.
Sylvia and Sreejita: It was great having your friendship after our masters. We have grown
apart, but I will always remember our dinners to catch up and have this sense of partnership.
Kaushar and Chiara: My first international friends. You were the motivation for me to
pursue my dreams of doing a masters in Europe. We have lost contact, but I will always be grateful that you guided me this way.
Sander, Merjin, and Friso: Thank you for being my Dutch friends when I was just starting a
new phase in my life. It meant a lot to me.
Camilo, Galvi, Vane thai, and guapachangas: Mis amigos del alma de toda la vida. Sus
mensajes y raras llamadas que son tan familiares cuando ocurren me mantuvieron aflote para seguir en las buenas y en las malas durante toda mi experiencia en Holanda. Me encanto cuando me visitaron en diferentes ocasiones (Camilo y Galvis). Los quiero mucho y espero algún día nos podamos encontrar otra vez.
Mis hermanas: Clara, mi hermanita siempre impulsándome a ser valiente y fuerte para conseguir mis sueños. Un gran ejemplo de perseverancia y persistencia. Paula, mi hermanita mayor, si no fuera por tu confianza en mi y tu apoyo no estaría donde estoy hoy. Las dos me han dado todas las herramientas para sobrevivir. La satisfacción de tenerlas en mi vida es inmensa. Las quiero mucho. Claudette y Sergio gracias por su apoyo. Mis sobrinas, Sara y Elo. y mis sobrinos, Nico y Ricky, los quiero mucho.
Bob and Judith: Feeling the support from your family gave me the last boost for finishing
up my PhD and continuing with my career path. Thank you ever so much.
Mis papas: Muchas gracias por ser excelentes ejemplos de vida. Siempre manteniendo mi
motivación alta para continuar con los estudios y superar los momentos difíciles. También compartiendo todas las alegrías desde la distancia y en persona cuando fue posible. Los valores que me inculcaron han sido las mejores herramientas de supervivencia y siempre estaré agradecida por ensenarme a vivir. Los quiero muchísimo y sin su constante apoyo no habría podido lograr todas las metas propuestas.
Mi esposo Matt: Since I met you my life goals changed completely. You made my life in the Netherlands longer and happier. I could not be more thankful with the universe to have met you here in Groningen during my PhD. Having you in my life made me stronger and gave me the extra boost to figure out my next life phase. I cannot imagine my life without you and your support was indispensable to finishing my PhD. I love you very much.
