ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 I would like to thank my supervisory committee members (Dr. Mohamed Kabbaj

from Florida State University; Dr. Neil Rowland; and Dr. Linda Hermer-Vazquez) for

their time and patience. I would like to extend special gratitude to my advisor (Dr.

Darragh Devine) for his persistent guidance; and to Andrea Naccarato for her diligent

work with the Porsolt swim tests. I would also like to thank my mentors in Gainesville

(especially Clare Mathes) for their support during this long j ourney of higher education.

Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to thank God for the breadth of knowledge He

has bestowed upon me.