I would especially like to thank my honours supervisor, Dr Lai for his support, guidance, and especially his neverending patience with me throughout the year. Also thanks to everyone in the School of Community Medicine who made my year such an enjoyable one.
I would like to thank Brett Neilan, Julia Stuart, and Amanda Bass for teaching me laboratory techniques in the beginning. I would also like to thank Dr Stark, Elizabeth Comino and Andrew Macaulay for their help with statistics.
A special thanks to Luc and Guy Betbeder, Elwyn Chow and all my IRC and e-mail friends for their encouragement, support, and friendship throughout the year.
Lastly, thanks to my parents for their love and caring at all times.