Novel Role of MeCP2 in Developing Oligodendrocytes and Myelination

Acknowledgements First I would like to acknowledge my lab mates Allison Vestaal-Laborde, Andrew Eschenroder and Manisha Magar, without whom I would have been lost in my journey through the creation of this thesis. More importantly they were always incredibly good at keeping me laughing through all the pitfalls encountered in gathering my data and trying to put it to paper. giving me guidance and reassurance in structuring this project. My apprehensions about my data and conclusions were obliterated on our first meeting, and they proposed excellent follow-up experiments that made my isolated data fit into a wider scientific context. They have made this thesis a project I take pride in. Dr. Carmen Sato-Bigbee has been an incredible advisor during the last year. Taking a grad student into the lab seems like a daunting prospect, even in the best circumstances. With no lab experience and only a year to complete this thesis, her willingness to accept this challenge was truly inspiring. Carmen relentlessly challenged my assumptions about me and my thought process, forcing me to grow as a scientist and as a human being. Despite her relentless refrain of, " I'm just doing my job, " I know her passion and zeal are far beyond the level expected of an advisor, and I feel privileged to have worked with her. made possible my journey back into academia. They accepted me into their family when I was a young man adrift in a sea of self-bewilderment, and gave me the guidance to see that life isn't necessarily as bad or as complicated as I feared. Most importantly they gave me their amazing friendship, and to them I will always be eternally grateful. iv I dedicate this thesis to Barbara Schlegel-Jones. Our friendship in the last years of her life changed mine. Four years ago she remained convinced, despite my protestations, that I could become someone who would fulfill his potential. I will never forget her courage, strength, humor and wisdom.