ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i

Acknowledgements

As I look back on my academic career, there are many people who have spurred me on to

give my best. It is these people to whom I owe an outstanding debt of gratitude.

First and foremost, I have to give all glory, honor, and praise to my God and Savior,

Jesus Christ, from whom all blessings flow. Indeed, my strength and inspiration comes

from God alone. Also, I thank God for bringing people into my life who have been a

constant source of encouragement. Of these people, I am most grateful to my parents

who have never stopped loving me from my diaper days to my dissertation days. Their

support is something that I will never be able to repay. Amy Wong (soon to be Mrs. Sam

Han), who has been by my side through thick and thin for the past six years, has been a

true woman of noble character. In her support and encouragement, she ranks right up

there with my parents.

As my advisor, mentor, and colleague, Professor Christopher Sotak has been an integral

part of shaping my life as a scientist. In the area of academics, honor, and diligence, I

have met no equal. Never once has he expected anything less than my best efforts.

Truly, he is a man of integrity and I have learned much from his wellspring of wisdom.

Dr. Robert Peura, my department head, has been a true example to me in the areas of

diplomacy. I covet his skills and have many times been the beneficiary of these skills.

Dr. Peter Grigg has not only taught me some of the fundamental thought processes
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii

behind asking scientific questions but has also demonstrated that it is possible to maintain

my humanity in the midst of working like a machine to collect and process data. For this

I thank him.

I would like to thank my predecessor, Dr. Bernard Dardzinski, for allowing me to work

alongside him in several of his projects, and for instilling in me good work habits. Dr.

Lawrence Latour, who has taught me to never lose sight of the big picture, has been

integral in shaping my thought processes and I have profited from his intuitive grasp on

difficult concepts. I thank Dr. Karl Helmer for his willingness to help in all situations

and for providing avenues to further my knowledge even at the “bonus baby” stage of my

graduate studies. I will always remember Dr. Katsumi Irie as a good doctor, a good

scientist, and a good friend. I thank Matt Silva for bearing patiently with me in my

greatest times of victory and my worst times of defeat in our joint ventures. Stephen

Gemmell, Rick Carano, Mike Meiler, Fuhai Li, Kentaro Takano, Turgut Tatlisumak, and

Cy Tamanaha, I thank for encouraging me during various stages of my life at Worcester

Polytechnic Institute.

Finally, I thank my extended family at church that has kept me accountable in all other

areas of my life.