Galaxies form and evolve through close interaction with their surroundings. As a result, the heavy elements ('metals') that are synthesized in stars, are found both inside and outside galaxies.

This thesis investigates how galaxies form and what diversifies the evolutionary histories of galaxies.

Promotor: J. Schaye

Promotor: Koen Kuijken Co-promotor: Henk Hoekstra

One of the key quests in astronomy is to study the growth and evolution of galaxies across cosmic time. Radio observations provide a powerful means of studying the formation of stars and subsequent buildup of distant galaxies, in a way that is unbiased by the presence of dust.

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.J.A. Rottgering

In this thesis, I study the formation of large-scale structure and the physics of particle acceleration at large scales (~Mpc).

Promotores: Prof.dr. J. Schaye & Prof.dr. C. Steidel (California Institute of Technology)

This thesis focuses on the X-ray spectral analysis of merging galaxy clusters and the plasma code development for future high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy observations.

Galaxies form and live inside dark matter haloes. As a consequence, they are exposed to the tidal fields generated by the surrounding matter distribution: this imprints a preferential direction to the galaxy shapes, which leads to a coherent alignment on physically close galaxies, called intrinsic a…

Promotores: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Prof.dr. P.G. van Dokkum (Yale University)

Promotor: M. Franx, Co-Promotor: I.F. Labbé

Promotor: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Co-Promotor: Rychard Bouwens

Multiple stars, that is two or more stars composing a gravitationally bound system, are common in the universe.

The formation and evolution of galaxies is fundamentally driven by the formation of new stars out of cold gas.

This thesis discusses the physical and chemical processes than influence the composition of forming planets.

We investigate the buildup of galaxies from various vantage points. The first two chapters focus on the stellar content of galaxies, especially the distribution of stellar masses at birth and potential variations therein in various galactic environments.

The origin and evolution of galaxies are closely tied to the cyclic feedback processes between stars and the interstellar medium (ISM).

To address the fundamental questions of how life on Earth emerged and how common life may be in the Universe, it is crucial to know the chemical composition of the planet-forming material.

PhD Defence

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck

The focus of this thesis is how stars like our Sun and planets like Jupiter, Saturn, and Earth are formed.

In astronomy, the interpration of observations and measurements plays a crucial role: we rely purely and fundamentally on the information that reaches us as observers. And 80% of all matter in the universe is undetectable directly.

Promotores: Prof.dr. M. Franx, Prof.dr. M. Kriek (Univ. of California at Berkeley)

In this thesis, I studied the origin and evolution of the non-thermal radiation in merging galaxy clusters.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. F. van Dishoeck

I have studied the hot, diffuse gas around and between galaxies. Specifically, I have used the EAGLE numerical simulations of galaxy formation to predict the properties of this gas, and I have used those properties to predict specific observables: soft X-ray absorption and emission lines.

Promotor: Prof.dr. K.H. Kuijken, Co-Promotor: H.Hoekstra

PhD Defence

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. F.F.S. van der Tak (RUG)

Promotores: Prof.dr. F.P. Israel, Prof.dr. P.P. van der Werf

Promotor: G.P. van Wezel

Protein–protein complexes are formed via transient states called encounter complexes that greatly influence the formation of the stereospecific complex.

In this thesis, we present new laboratory data of interstellar dust analogues.

Sobral

Promotor: Prof.dr. H.V.J. Linnartz

Galaxies are environments where gas coalesces, cools, and is converted into stars. However, it remains unclear the exact mechanisms through which galaxies acquire, redistribute and lose their gas.

Promotor: Prof.dr. J. Schaye, Co-promotor: Marcello Cacciato

Sterrenkundigen onder leiding van John Tobin hebben dankzij nieuwe waarnemingen, verricht met de Amerikaanse Very Large Array-radiotelescoop (VLA), meer inzicht verkregen in het geboorteproces van meervoudige sterren.

Promotor: K.H. Kuijken

Promotor: P. T. de Zeeuw, Co-promotor: N. Neumayer; G. van de Ven

Promotor: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Co-Promotor: G.J. Herczeg

Promotor: Prof.dr. A.G.G.M. Tielens

Promotor: Prof.dr. S. Portegies Zwart

Promotor: Prof.dr. A.G.G.M. Tielens, Prof.dr. C. Dominik (UvA)

Promotores: Prof.dr. E.F. van Dishoeck, Prof.dr. C.P. Dullemond

This thesis explores the theoretical and observational properties of distant massive galaxies that harbour active black holes in their centres and shine brightly at radio wavelengths.

Circumstellar discs are the reservoirs of gas and dust that surround young stars and have the potential to become planetary systems.

In this thesis chemical and physical processes in the ice mantles on interstellar dust grains are studied.