University of Groningen
Dynamic transfer of chirality in photoresponsive systems
Pizzolato, Stefano Fabrizio
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Publication date: 2017
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Pizzolato, S. F. (2017). Dynamic transfer of chirality in photoresponsive systems: Applications of molecular photoswitches in catalysis. University of Groningen.
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Acknowledgements
The work described in this thesis is the product of the collaboration and joint effort provided by colleagues, friends and family. Five years have passed since the start of my adventure as a PhD student and as a ‗Groninger‘. Many are the happy smiles I met and warm hugs I shared along the way. In this final salute, I would like to thank all the wonderful people that made this period so memorable.
First of all, my promotor Ben. Thank you so much for accepting me as a member of your group, first as a visiting student for my Master thesis‘ project in catalysis, and later as PhD student joining the molecular motor group. You always impressed me with your enthusiasm and true passion for science and discovery, which constantly attracts young bright minds willing to follow your lead towards the next level of chemical control. Moreover, the richness and precision of details of your old-time stories during borrells and your aggressive play in our football matches possibly amazed me even more. I am very grateful for the optimism and support you always provided, even during the most stressful moments. Congratulations once more for the Nobel Prize award: you truly deserved it and I feel much honored to have been part of your team in such an unforeseen and unique event.
The members of the assessment committee, Prof. S. Harutyunyan, Prof. H. Hiemstra, and Prof. J.G. de Vries are greatly acknowledged for correcting and approving the manuscript. In addition, I would like to thank Prof. A. Minnaard, Prof. W. Browne, and Prof. E. Otten or the very helpful discussions, collaborations and support with non-conventional measurements throughout my research activity.
Massimo and Martin, your supervision during my initial MS internship was a wonderful experience. Your hot-blooded Latin spirit made my jump to the cold Netherlands less abrupt and definitely funnier than I could had ever expected. You first taught me how to conduct high level research, hold effective presentations, face daily life away from home and show on the field how Latins play football and basketball. I would happily start all over again just to enjoy those moments once more. Thank you so much. Dorus, I feel much honored to have become your friend during the past years. Your honesty, kindness, charisma and generosity make you one of the best companions I have found so far. My daily routine in the lab could not start without your signature salute: ―Che Pizzo! Che pasta! Che pollo!!!‖ Thank you so much for your cheerful smiles, all our dinners, the motorbike rides in the wild countryside of Groningen, the freezing cold nights in the Dutch forests, the crucial push you gave me to just leave and visit Norway on my first solo road trip, the support provided as paranymph, and most of all thank you for teaching me to follow my dreams and desires in order to maintain identity as the happy Pizzo.
Peter, right at the beginning of my PhD you became my reference in the lab. Despite being only few months older than me, by then you had already built such a strong experience and skills as a synthetic chemist. As Jos once said: ―If a reaction doesn‘t work in Peter‘s hands, it is simply chemically impossible.‖ Furthermore, you proved to achieve what others had for long tried in vain. The successful synthesis of the fluoromotors is a perfect example. During four years we shared many precious moments: generous laughs in the lab, intense hockey matches, beautiful sunsets in San Francisco, crazy reactions and glorious revelations from on-point experiments. Our joint efforts and bright ideas led us to our most successful projects described in this thesis in Chapter 5 and 6. I wish you and Lenka all the best luck for the continuation of your journey in academia. If destiny had a different picture for you, we may as well resume our back-up plan of intensive pineapple production as we suggested many times. Thank you.
Jos, your solid ego and unique outspokenness make you one of the most interesting, sharpest and funniest people I have ever met. You were always open for intense and long discussions, not all necessarily related to Chemistry, nor always sober in tone or subject. After you left for Australia, the C-wing definitely lost its spark. Thank you very much for all your help, included the fundamental inputs and contribution to my projects and thesis. I wish you and Heather the best luck and happy life.
Acknowledgements
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Tom, I really enjoyed sharing the lab and collaborating with you in various projects. Your excellent knowledge of theoretical Chemistry, sense of humor and great taste for music made my days in many occasions. I‘ll remember you as the only true white gangsta, always howling ―Chemistry!‖ whenever most need, whether for good luck or for mere boredom. Thank you so much for your help and support, especially from abroad during the correction process of my thesis. Very much good luck with your post-doc in Spain. Dear Matea and Raquel, I had so much fun organizing the group retreat in Strasbourg and strolling around Ghent for the preparation of the Bonteavond. Your cheerful smiles have often brightened my days and will always remain in my heart. Thanks to you, too.
I would also like to thank all the post-docs that helped me and enriched my experience in Ben‘s group: Viktor, Sander, Valentin, Carlos, Thomas, Depeng, Michael, Adele and Krzysztof. Dear Beatrice, you deserve a special thanks: not only for collaborating on the project described in Chapters 3 and 4, but mainly for being a prime example of complete, resourceful and optimistic researcher; and a beautiful person, too. I look forward to attend one of your lectures as full professor in the short future. Hug you soon!
Next I would like to thank all the wonderful colleagues with whom I shared labs, coffee rooms, borrells, parties, climbing sessions, football subgroups and flunkyball matches: Anouk, Wojciech, Jort, Jana, Jeffrey, Jochem, Filippo, Kuang-Yen, Weh-Hao, Henrieke, Romain, Diederik, Will, Thom, Jingling, Jiawen, Yuchen, Chen, Petra, Claudia, Dusan, Mickel, Michael, Adi, Ashoka, Niek, Beatriz, Peter, Anne, Suresh, Erik, Piotr, Vittorio, Francesca, Johnny, Antonio, Ana, Alaric, Rik, Nop, Francesco, Simone, Tilde, Pablo, Ravi, Juan, Romina, Mu-Chieh, Marco, Francesca, Ivana, Massimo, Sambika, Cora, Giovanni, and Yan. Our capable team of technicians is also greatly acknowledged. Pieter, Theodora, Monique, Wim and Hans: your daily assistance with the lab equipment and instruments was fundamental for the smooth developing of my projects. Thank you very much.
Thanks also to all the secretaries of our department for their support: Hilda, Alphons, Cristina, Annette and Maud. A special thank is dedicated of course to Tineke. Behind an unordinary professor like Ben, there has to be an extraordinary secretary like you. During the past four years you have constantly impressed me with your professionalism, kindness, loyalty and versatility. You faced every situation – even my several stress crises (I am truly sorry for those!) – with firm attitude and a tenacious smile. Thank you for all. I wish you and your family the best luck.
It is important as well to recognize the contribute of all the great friends from outside the university that kept me happy and mentally healthy throughout my PhD.
First of all my housemates and best friends Tim, Carina, Amanda, Timon, Arielle and Cezar. We shared so much during our talks, dinners, trips, movie nights, BBQs, beer pong matches and parties. In many occasions we felt like brothers and sister, in few critical others we were each other‘s guardian angels. Each of you would deserve many more words than I can dedicate to you here. I‘ll make sure to compensate face-to-face during my last farewell party. Thank you from the deep of my heart.
A big hug to my Arubian pals Ray, Jino, Guido, Nayif and Solo. We randomly met due to our common passion for Smash, and you immediately welcomed me to enjoy much more throughout my entire last year in G-town. I deeply enjoyed chatting, laughing, playing, dreaming, and cooking pasteechi with you during our multiple chilling sessions. Masha danki.
I would like to dedicate my last words to my wife Susanna. Il nostro rapporto è nato dalla leggerezza e spensieratezza di tre giorni magici, appena prima che la mia vita volgesse altrove per quattro lunghissimi anni. Tutte le premesse erano contro ciò che si è poi rivelato un solido e intenso legame amore. Lontani, indipendenti, tenaci, e ciò nonostante così bisognosi l‘uno dell‘altra. Ti ringrazio per tutto il sostegno che mi hai costantemente fornito, dai primi mesi di lontananza agli ultimi faticosi giorni di scrittura. Come dice saggiamente Tim, la parte migliore della nostra vita è iniziata il giorno in cui ci siamo sposati. Ora non resta solo che viverla al pieno delle nostre energie e passioni. Ti amo profondamente, amore mio. Grazie ♥
