P a g e | ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Folasade Ajayi, for her invaluable guidance, insightful feedback, and unwavering support throughout the course of this research. Her expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping the direction of this project, and I am incredibly grateful for her mentorship. Special thanks go to my family and friends, whose constant encouragement and belief in my abilities provided the motivation I needed to persevere through the challenges of this journey. Their emotional support and understanding have meant the world to me. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the laboratory staff at the university, for their technical assistance and for ensuring that I had access to the necessary equipment and resources. Their professionalism and dedication have greatly contributed to the successful completion of this study. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my fellow classmates and colleagues for their camaraderie and the stimulating discussions we shared. Their insights and collaborative spirit have enriched my academic experience, for which I am truly thankful.