Photo Guy Ackermans This week on 11 July, a special colleague and friend is closing a cycle, an endeavour of three years of sustained work, efforts, grit and a mindset of limitless possibilities. Mexx Holweg has successfully completed his PhD programme in the Photobiology of Medicinal Cannabis in three years. His example not only defies the paradigm of a four-year PhD programme (Column Willy – PhD in four years ) but it also reveals lessons on how to efficiently design, develop and complete such a programme.
There are clear improvements to be made regarding the design and execution of PhD-programmes
I had the privilege of working side by side with Mexx, and all I can say is that I witnessed his painstaking efforts together with his supervisors towards designing a comprehensive research that could be completed in exactly three years. It is true that PhD projects may vary in goals and timelines, but we must not disregard the fact that time is a valuable resource that should be carefully prioritized. This is not to say that everyone should finish in one specific timeline or the other, although we must work really hard to prevent unnecessarily lengthy PhD cycles for the sake of the scientific and professional progress of individuals and institutions.
I will therefore call for the attention of all participants in any PhD programme at Wageningen University, for there are clear improvements to be made regarding the design and execution of such programmes.
Mexx, as I have said to you before: I am proud and in awe, for you have been leading by example. Congratulations my Dushi.
Willy Contreras-Avilés (36) is in his last year as a PhD candidate in Horticulture and Biochemistry of medicinal cannabis, from Panama. He likes to dance (perrear), cook Italian food, and swim.
