\chapter{Acknowledgements}
\label{ch:ack}
Upon the completion of my thesis, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Professor Dimitris Kotzinos for believing in me and for providing me with opportunities that helped me pave my path in academia.

This thesis would not have been possible without the patient guidance of Associate Professor Katerina Tzompanaki.
Her love for knowledge and hard work were inspiring and served as the catalyst for every single step that I made towards getting a better grasp on computer science.

I am genuinely grateful to the reviewers of my thesis,
% \kat{put the names. also thank the jury}
% \mk{TODO}
Professor Benjamin Nguyen and Associate Professor Kostas Chatzikokolakis for their time, effort, and valuable feedback.
Moreover, I would like to thank Professor Salima Benbernou and
Professor Dan Vodislav for being part of my examining committee.

A special thanks goes to Alexandros Kontarinis for being an exemplary colleague and a unique companion during this journey.
I would also like to thank the faculty of the Computer Sciences department of the university of CY Cergy Paris, the
% \kat{name the lab and the departement}
people of the ETIS laboratory, and especially the members of the MIDI group for creating a pleasant and creative environment.

Last but not least, I wish to express my thankfulness to my family and friends for their unconditional support and encouragement all these years.

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\noindent
Cergy-Pontoise, \thedate
