People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal. Preface The idea of giving thanks to everyone that has affected our lives, even if only briefly, is quite daunting. How could one ever thank everyone that has played a role, instrumental or not? How do we know how instrumental their role was? I approach this section with the ambition of brevity. My hope is that I show(ed) my gratitude and affection to those that were, and are, part of my life during our encounters. That said, there a few people that I need to thank, because I know, without them, I would not be here. Stefanie, I hope I showed my gratitude to you throughout the years. However, I know I never specifically mentioned how much I admire and respect you. Your work ethic, your dedication, and ambition are admirable. We have not had the smoothest relationship, but then again, which supervisor-PhD relationship is? Yet, I find myself being thankful for those bumpy roads, because I believe you learn the true qualities of people in difficult times, and I can honestly say that you are a good role model to have. Rob, you were never really involved in my projects, yet you were always there. I am incredibly lucky I had you to push, help, and listen to me through many phases, like going to NYU. Thank you, for being the mediator, the brains behind funding, and a guide for me. Nadja, our relationship was short, yet instrumental. The first year was a forming year, and I wouldn't be where I am today if not for you. Thank you for the trust you had in me, from day one. Tony, you welcomed me in NYU and gave me so much of your time, thank you for teaching me so much in a such a short period of time. To the committee members, Prof. Dennis Bams, Dr. Annelies Renders, Prof. Peter Sampers, and Prof. Harald Sander, thank you for taking the time to read my dissertation and providing me with comments to improve it, my gratitude is immense. Ladies, Carina, Cecile, Els and Francien, you are the center of gravity. I am now more aware than ever before, just how important you ladies really are. Thank you, not only for all the work you do, but also for ...