thank you!

Thanks to LASPAU/OAS Scholarship for the Americas & MSRC for their financial support through the course of my research. Special thanks to my advisors Jackie and Rob for sheer hell, suggestions, comments, critique, and encouragement. To the Collier Lab with specific gratitude to Joanne who helped in numerous ways in teaching of methods and experimental design, and Kris who was ever-present and willing to share information, even other ppl's - lol.

(The Lab & Thesis Committee at my celebratory lunch - Jackie's treat after my presentation )

Thanks to my reader Chris for being so patient and willing at the last minute; David, Sergio, Steve and Larry for their time and willingness to assist in any way possible.

Many special thanks to GOD! Whoy did I cry out to Him nuff; my friends here, especially CJ, J, Alex, Lourdes, Alberto & Miss Goulby!, and in JA (you know yourselves ;) - could never have done this without you!, and my family whose loving support is like fuel to my soul.

MI DUN! MI OUT!

On to Chapter 2: Jamaican in Florida? Puerto Rico? US Virgin Islands? New Zealand? Jamaica?