As of last Friday, July 4th, I am officially retired.

I had the honour of delivering my valedictory lecture, “From Giant Dinosaurs to Tiny Microbes: 40 Years of Passionate Research and Discovery,” reflecting on an exciting and rewarding scientific journey.

I began by exploring original macromolecules in fossil shells, dinosaur bones, and microbial mats using immunological techniques. But inspired by the groundbreaking work of Norman Pace, I shifted my focus from extinct giants to the invisible majority—microbes.

PCR opened new doors, but cloning proved a challenge. That’s when I reached out to two old study friends, Jan Vijg and André Uitterlinden, who were using DGGE for paternity testing and mutation screening. Could this technique also work for microbial communities? With the help of an enthusiastic MSc student, we gave it a try—and it did! That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career and shaped much of what followed.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with many wonderful colleagues at various universities and research institutes, driven by curiosity and a keen interest in the intersection between science and society.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my scientific journey, and I wish the same happiness and fulfilment to all of you still on yours.