Furthermore, I thank my committee members, Drs. Bart Borghuis, Ron Gregg, Bill Guido, and Jeffrey Petruska. I thank my parents for their love and support. I would not be successful today if it weren't for their philosophy of raising a lifelong learner and assert independence. They were gracious in providing me with exceptional educational opportunities both in the classroom and via traveling the world. Finally, I thank my beautiful, loving and gracious wife, Miki. The journey of graduate school is challenging, arduous, time-consuming, and outright brutal. Miki supported me during this time with unconditional love while simultaneously raising our two daughters Ella and Lilia, a feat unsurpassed by any human.