* Though I do feel the need to defend my alma mater. Getting my PhD from UC Irvine is something that I will never regret, and will forever be grateful for. It was the best training ground I could have asked for. I wouldn’t trade my experiences or my education there for anything. Every person I worked with at UC Irvine had my best interests at heart, and I never thought to think differently. It was truly a nurturing environment. And I think it goes without saying that my advisor is absolutely matchless. May every doctoral student have the opportunity to work with someone as selfless, talented, and dedicated as my advisor was.