My wife Jugs, for her love and unstinting support and for selflessly sharing this trying journey through its myriad joys and challenges. Thank you for being there, always. Professor Simon McGrath, colleague, friend, and mentor, whose inspiring confidence in me remains indelibly imprinted in my mind. This work could not have been completed without his guiding hand and continued belief in me. Thank you for making this work a reality and for being there throughout the process.