ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge the following people for their help and support:

• Dr. Sherali Zeadally, who helped sculpt and guide me along the way. He is a dedicated researcher, and outstanding mentor.

• My parents and my grandmother, for their continued support and financial aide.

• My colleagues in the lab: Hai Jiang, Prarthana Kukkali, Liqiang Zhang, Ioana Raicu