ADVISOR:

It never ceases to amaze me that I made it this far. I did not do it alone though. There are so many friends, family members, and colleagues that have helped me along the way. I am truly grateful for all that they have done and would like to take the time to acknowledge them. To my advisor, Mark Distefano: Thank you for allowing me to be a member your group and helping me see I made the right decision when everything up to that point had felt wrong. You always knew what to say to motivate me, and I appreciate your belief that I could do it. You’ve helped me to realize the kind of scientist I want to be and that I can accomplish anything I set me mind to. To the past and present MDD group members: While quite dysfunctional at times, we have been a family over the years. Each and everyone one of you has helped me at some point along the way, whether it be an idea for an experiment, or just someone to laugh and chat with, and I thank you for that. In particular, Dr. Ben Duckworth, Dr. James Wollack, Dr. Dan Mullen, Josh Ochocki, Jon Dozier, and Dr. Rita Majerle. Ben: you’re my hero. Thank you for your friendship over the years. I couldn’t have made it without you. Josh and Jon: I am really going to miss you guys. You have been so good to me. To the Taton group: You guys are the best! Thanks for always making me smile. In particular Alexi Young. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with a number of other groups, not just within the University of Minnesota, and each deserves a special thank you. The Wattenberg Lab (U of MN): Thanks to Aaron Charlson for always providing cells for me. Nicholette Zeliadt, thank you for teaching me westerns, letting me steal your sonicator, ii and always being a smiling face when I came in to the lab. And thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Wattenberg for providing excellent feedback and suggestions with my projects