Our Research Team
Quail-Tech™ is a research program conducted within the natural resources management department at Texas Tech University. Our research team is comprised of passionate, knowledgeable individuals that strives to use cutting-edge science to attack the problem of declining quail populations.
Dr. C. Brad Dabbert is the Burnett Foundation Endowed Professor of Quail Ecology and has been at Texas Tech University since 1996. He received his B.S. (1989) and Ph. D. (1995) in Wildlife Ecology from Oklahoma State University, and his M.S. (1992) in Zoology from the University of Arkansas.
Dr. Dabbert has authored or co-authored over 100 research and popular articles and has been awarded more than $5,000,000.00 in research grants. His primary research interest is the ecology of upland game birds. He currently serves on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Upland Game Bird Advisory Committee and was the invited Stoddard Game Bird Lecturer at the 2018 Tall Timbers Research Station Game Bird Seminar in Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Dabbert is passionate about quail and bird dogs.
Dr. Brad Dabbert
Lead Scientist
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Rowdy grew up on the rolling plains of Texas where he fell in love with wide vistas and dry country. As a graduate of Texas Tech University, he has worked for the Quail-Tech Alliance in every role from volunteer to lab manager. His interests include natural and regional history while his main research focus has been vegetation influences on northern bobwhite home range selection. His personal interests include reading, writing, natural history, hiking, and regional history.
Rowdy White
Manager, Research Aide
"I came into the role of Barn Manager/Advisor for The Quail-Tech Alliance in October 2019. My role consists of making sure the day to day routines of bird and barn care run smoothly. Prior to joining The Quail-Tech Alliance, I received my Bachelor of Science in Range and Wildlife Management, am currently working towards Master of Science in Range and Wildlife Management, both from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. My studies focus on the relationship among ocelots, nilgai, and cattle in South Texas. Other opportunities have allowed me to work with several different species like bobcats, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and raccoon. Bird species I have worked with are chickens and pigeons as part of my role as aviary supervisor."
Shelby Carter
Manager, Research Aide
Graduate Students
"I have had a passion for hunting and the outdoors since a very young age. My father would take me out hunting, and through these trips I developed a passion for wildlife. This led me to attend Oklahoma State University, where I received my B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. I have had several seasonal positions working in Oklahoma, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and now with Quail-Tech in Lubbock, Texas. Through this job, I was given the opportunity to pursue my M.S. degree at Texas Tech. My project will continue examining long-term impact meso-mammal trapping has on bobwhite quail reproductive success as well as the benefits a new high protein feed has on brood survival."
Joshua Luft
"As a graduate student with The Quail-Tech Alliance, I have spent the last two years on the historic 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas measuring the effects of predator reduction on northern bobwhite nest success and chick survival. Prior to attending Texas Tech, I graduated from Tarleton State University with my bachelor’s in wildlife biology. Growing up hunting and fishing, I earned a passion for the conservation of wildlife and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to further my career and education with The Quail Tech Alliance."
Kelton Mote
"Prior to becoming a graduate student with the Quail-Tech Alliance, I spent the last two and a half years at Tall Timbers working with northern bobwhites in the gamebird program. While there I gained a passion for quail research, so when an opportunity to study them became available I jumped on it. Growing up I was endowed with a passion for wildlife by my father who would take me out hunting and fishing trips. That passion lead me to attend Tennessee Tech University where I received my bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation. My research involves testing a new high protein supplemental feed, targeted towards northern bobwhite chicks and how that affects their survival."
Nathan Eldridge
"My passion for conservation and wildlife management thrived when I was a young adult, and I chose to pursue it professionally with a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Conservation Ecology from New Mexico State University. During an internship at Tall Timbers Research Station working with northern bobwhite, I absolutely fell in love with upland game bird ecology and I knew that I wanted to study it further. I was given an opportunity to work as a graduate student collaboratively with Quail-Tech Alliance and Tall Timbers to study the refinement of a commonly used management practice. My research focuses on evaluating how stress associated with extended handling and holding time effects the success of long-distance translocations of northern bobwhite."
Amanda Schmidt
Quail-Tech™ Donors
A sincere 'thank you' to our generous donors. Their support has allowed us to continue to expand our efforts and to better understand how to increase quail populations.
Permian Basin Chapter
Mr. Chuck Ribelin
Quail First
The Bromberg Foundation
Mr. George Allen
Join us in the fight.
Contact QuailTech@ttu.edu to learn how you can contribute to this worthy conservation cause.