"The course concerns the analytical and physical chemistry of metal ions in complexing environments and the ensuing bioavailabilities of the various species. Some attention is also paid to speciation of organics. Modern analytical speciation techniques such as DGT/DET, PLM, Donnan techniques, voltammetries, ligand exchange methods, etc., are discussed in methodological detail. The theoretical background of metal ion binding by simple ligands, macromolecular complexing agents and particles is given ample attention. Known equilibrium speciation codes are tested in interactive exercises. Dynamic features of complex systems and ensuing lability characteristics are discussed on the basis of the underlying reaction kinetics and transport conditions. Molecular mechanisms for biouptake processes, as well as resulting uptake rate equations, are evaluated with emphasis on the physicochemical principles. Some illustrative case studies of metal uptake by animals and plants are included."

Topic: oxidation of cerium in seawater. Scientifically speaking and otherwise, I learned a great deal here.

The plan had been to do one or two postdocs elsewhere and then establish my own research group. I could see myself doing that at this university. I already knew I liked the science and I discovered that I enjoyed coaching graduate students and felt very much at home with the American work ethos. Circumstances led to a drastic change in course with very profound effects on the remainder of my life.

(My GRE scores - obtained with hardly any prep and after a night in a noisy hotel, which didn't bother me - were V 610 - Q 690 - A 640.)

• "Rare Earth Element Distributions in the Southern Ocean: Weddell and Scotia Seas"

• "The Loftahammar-Västervik area in SE Sweden: Proterozoic deformation and the Filipstad-Västervik shear zone"
• "The Loftahammar-Västervik area in SE Sweden: geochemistry"
• "Scanning tunneling microscopy and its descendants"
• "A statistical comparison of several geothermobarometers"
• various reports for smaller fieldworks and a study of a topic in sociobiology

Developed a wide range of skills in a variety of organizations during my studies (mostly part-time employment, mainly in The Netherlands) at all sorts of companies (such as KBB, Crest Hotel, Clifford Chance, Ideta, Unisys, Verity, Moret Ernst & Young, Vrije Universiteit).

Often been involved in organizing all sorts of events and public actions.

Started translating for others in 1992 (partly as Top-Notch Text Productions). Started publishing in the early 1970s. Advanced family responsibilities throughout the 1970s. Already developed an active interest in marine and earth science in the 1960s.