Bayleigh Becker

Bayleigh Becker is entering her junior year at A&M-Commerce, where she is researching wildlife—quail in particular—in the wildlife and conservation sciences program. Becker has been captivated by wildlife from a young age and often finds abandoned or injured animals that she's able to nurse back to health. She lives on a small hobby farm in Farmersville, Texas, and enjoys paddle boarding on Lake Lavon with her dog, Kaipo!

A Conversation with Bayleigh Becker

Why did you choose to attend A&M Commerce?

I chose A&M-Commerce because of the school’s commitment to helping its students. When I toured the school, I met many faculty and staff members. I met the head of the department and the head of quail research. They took the time to talk with me about my aspirations for school and life and made me feel at home. Another reason I chose A&M-Commerce is the fantastic financial support the school offers its students. The school provides many scholarships to students along with the Honors College program that not only gives financial support but also builds a community of driven students.

What are your career goals and how does your degree program fit into your career goals?

When I originally came to A&M-Commerce, I wanted to develop state and national park education programs, but I have changed that goal to research. My degree in wildlife and conservation science fits well with both goals and the faculty are always opening my eyes to new opportunities and careers that I could explore.

What professor or person on campus has positively influenced you? How so?

Jennifer Hudson has been my support throughout my time on campus. She is an amazing example of a woman that balances her academics, career and family while pushing her students to expand their dreams in life. While taking Hudson's class, I decided that I wanted to investigate earning my master's degree after graduation. Ms. Hudson immediately helped me research information about the program and connected me with past and current students in the program. She goes beyond what is expected of her and inspires students to do the same.

What research projects have you worked on? What was your role?

I am currently working with the quail program as one of two undergraduate honors students researching the upper lethal temperatures in Gambels and Scaled quail eggs’ pre-incubation period. Essentially, we are studying which temperatures reduce hatching rates so we can predict quail seasons and understand reduced hatching numbers. This is important because it helps us to understand the effects global warming has with increasing temperatures on hatching rates for Gambels and scaled quail. It has been a unique opportunity because I have been so hands-on in the research. The head of the quail program, Dr. Reyna, is always looking for ways we can show our research at conventions or turn our research into a thesis so that we’re prepared for our future careers. This has been an amazing opportunity that has changed my life and inspired my love of research.

I also volunteer with the quail department to go to south Texas and complete call counts. This is where Dr. Whitt and a few students go out to listen for quail. We follow a trail and listen at our markers for Bob White quail, then mark when they make sounds where we think they are. We can compare our numbers from last year to tell if the population at that ranch has increased or declined. We have noticed a decline this season and we suspect the extra hot season affected the hatching rates. This is a wonderful opportunity and the department is always looking for more students to help, providing them with great field-work experience.

Education

• B.S., Wildlife and Conservation Science, Texas A&M University-Commerce, in progress

Honors and Awards

• Honors College, Texas A&M University-Commerce
• “Danforth I dare you” 4-H award
• Houston livestock show and rodeo scholarship
• State Fair of Texas “Big Tex” Scholarship