Acknowledgements A 253 Destiny then guided me to Utrecht, a place that soon felt like a second home. Kaisa’s team, which initially comprised just Mariana and me, was a small but ambitious endeavor. We spent countless hours building up our research, it was a time of learning and adaptation, especially as we encountered unexpected challenges like not knowing the presence of chemical manure while we navigated the nutrient solution of Arabidopsis to the greenhouse for tomatoes. These early days with Kaisa’s team were foundational. The experience taught us resilience and adaptability, qualities that were vital in our scientific journey. The larger group at Utrecht, including Sara, Chrysa, Sjon, Kasper, Sarah, Diederik, Hans, and Zeguang, provided a supportive and collaborative environment, fostering both professional growth and personal connections. As I embarked on my PhD, the environment at Z304 became my sanctuary. This was where I, alongside Sjon, Chrysa, Angelica, Gabriel, Muthanna, and Dani, delved deeper into the mysteries of great food and unzipped the escape room, bonding over culinary delights and the shared thrill of solving puzzles together. With many of you, we developed a valuable relationship I will cherish for ever. The Shady Group and Kaisa Weits Group have been instrumental in shaping my academic path, serving as dynamic centers of innovation and fellowship. In these groups, I have been blessed with the opportunity to forge deep connections with many friends, engaging in meaningful dialogues and inspiring a multitude of ideas. The vibrancy of these groups is largely due to the contributions of remarkable individuals such as Lisa, Nicole, Sanne, Kyra, Pierre, Kasper, Sarah, Martina, Sara, Valerie, Andres and Shahram in the Shady Team, and Leo, Rianne, Sara, Chrysa, Mariana, Yaron, Lucila in Kaisa’s Team, not to forget Viktoriia, Gaberiel, and Liao in the Weits Group. A heartfelt thanks is especially owed to Nicole, Lisa and Diederik. Your assistance with the Dutch language aspects of the PhD graduation system has been vital. Without your guidance and help, navigating this process would have been a daunting challenge. My academic endeavors were not confined to laboratories and lecture halls. The entire campus was a canvas for learning and friendship. From the Botanic Garden to the David de Wied Building, from UMC to the Bestuurgebouw, every corner of Utrecht resonated with the spirit of friendship and scholarship. My experience with Romy and Bridget in the University Council was exceptionally enriching. It taught me not only about academia but also about the broader aspects of life. Together, we endeavored to assist our colleagues and effect change. While working with many great colleagues, we saw some of our efforts come to fruition and
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