I have submitted my PhD dissertation --- titled 'Three pitfalls in Java performance evaluation' --- to the Faculty of Engineering who convened on February 20th, 2008 and decided I was to be allowed to the first (internal) defense. I have sent my dissertation to my jury members, who are (alphabetically ordered):

• prof. Yolande Berbers, KULeuven
• prof. Kris Coolsaet, UGent
• prof. Koen De Bosschere (promotor), UGent
• prof. Lieven Eeckhout (co-promotor), UGent
• prof. Matthias Hauswirth, University of Lugano, Switzerland
• prof. Kathryn McKinley, University of Texas at Austin, USA
• prof. Jan Van Campenhout, UGent
• prof. Ronny Verhoeven (chair), UGent,

Basically, the internal defense amounts to a two-hour session in which I have to answer a barrage of questions from my jury. If I pass this test, I will be allowed to the public and second defense. April 11 is D-day for now.