Age and Sex-Related Differences in Dental Pulp Stem Cells

ii To my mom and dad for giving me love and support, no matter the distance and no matter the circumstance. I have been able to succeed in life only because of your continued guidance and encouragement along the way. To Ryan and Sabin for leaving home to be with me on this adventure in Iowa. I would not have been able to achieve what I have achieved here without you both. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I first need to recognize my mentor Dr. Liu Hong. You have been an invaluable resource for me throughout this process, and none of this would have been possible without your guidance, knowledge and input. I have learned so much from you and I want to express my gratitude to you for the amount of time and patience you have committed to me as my mentor. The things that you have taught me will no doubt serve as my foundation as I move forward in my career in academia. I hope that I can have the continued privilege to learn from you. I have to express my gratitude to Na Wei. It is only with your help that this project was possible. Thank you for walking me through every step and showing me every technique. Though we only got to spend a short amount of time together, it was apparent to me what an asset you are to the college. As I end this chapter in my life and head straight into the next, I know that you are beginning to do the same. I wish all the best in your future for you and your family. Dr. Gomez-you have made my experience at Iowa an absolute joy. I know that when I applied it was acknowledged that I was an odd fit for Iowa, and I thought so myself when I arrived here. After I met with each of you, however, I knew that this was the program that I wanted to attend. You have shown to me the type of educator I should strive to become. Thank you, Lisa, for always being there for me through all of my frustrations and concerns. I appreciate the time that you had always given to me, and the concern that you had always expressed. I don't believe that my completion of my thesis would have been possible without your assistance. It has been a privilege to talk …