Ibarra, Francisco Flores, and Israel Garcia. Many thanks for their countless help, encouragement, and laughs throughout this time in graduate school. I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with. Lovingly, I would like to thank my parents, Gerardo Cruz and Carmen Rios, and my siblings, Narlin Cruz and Jerry Cruz, for their endless love and support for my life goals. Many thanks to my best friends, Jorge Abraham Rodriguez and Adrian Macias for their constant encouragement. Lastly and lovingly, I would like to thank Claudia Jane Woloshchuk for her immense patience, support, commitment, and for always be there for me throughout this time. All of their continuous reinforcement is the spark for my enthusiasm.