First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents for the sacrifices they have made for me to go to college.  My family has been a constant source of encouragment, support, and inspiration for me throughout writing my thesis, especially my grandfather.  Thank you.  Without the guidance of Professor Kathleen Flannery, Professor Scott Krauchunas, and Professor Paul Finn, this thesis would not have been possible.  Prof. Krauchunas, thank you for tolerating my endless questions.  I owe you all many thanks for getting me where I am today.  I would also like to thank Dr. Vallari of the Biology department for all his help and for me allowing to use equipment from his lab.  And how can I forget Barbara?  She holds the department together and kindly directs all of us in the right direction.  A special thanks goes to Dr. Elaine Walker and Anne Bollini at Emory University for their assistance in the designing of my study and for the use of their research tools.  Thanks goes to Chris Bartman for assisting me in testing.  And to my Experimental II class - congratulations guys, we did it!

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