I would like to take this opportunity to thank my amazing and incredible supervisors, Dr. Rafik Goubran and Dr. Felix Kwamena. What an astounding honour it has been for me to have each of these superb advisors. You have unceasingly provided keen and diligent feedback and much appreciated detailed input, from not only your immense knowledge, but also from your quick thinking. Your steadfast support and abiding dedication has been instrumental in the journey through this program. I sincerely extend to you with profound respect, and with heartfelt appreciation, an epic, mammoth, and gigantic thank you. Next, I greatly appreciate and thank each person who has participated on my committees. Thank you to my talented and outstanding colleagues in the lab, and to my friends, and to other great researchers and impressive students with whom I have collaborated throughout campus and all around the world. Also, thank you to all the many admirable professors with whom I have worked or sought advice, especially my former supervisor Dr. Alan Steele, and thank you to those other professionals with whom I have worked. Thank you very much to all of the administrative staff, technical staff, and support staff who have helped me in any way during my time at Carleton. I especially thank my awesome Mom, Norma, for standing with me every step of the way, from well before my first day of Kindergarten through to the preparation of this document, and of course for her love and support in all of my life. Above all, I thank God for everything!! I am ever so grateful.