The Power of Working Together!

In honor of Veterans Day tomorrow, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all veterans for their service and sacrifice,

especially the faculty and student veterans in the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

Wildlife Biology Student Named Intern of the Year

Junior Wildlife Biology major, Audrey Adkison, was named WT Intern of the Year at the Office of Career and Professional Development’s Intern of the Year Reception, held in the Natural Sciences Building on Nov. 3.

Adkison worked as a natural resource intern for the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge last summer. During her internship, Adkison attained hands on experience restoring natural habitats for wildlife and collecting data on alligators.

As the WT Intern of the Year, Adkison will receive a scholarship and will be entered for the Cooperative Education & Internship Association Academic Intern of the Year award.

Adkison is also heavily involved throughout campus, as an Attebury Honors Student and Wildlife Society chapter president.

Congratulations to Audrey for this honor and representing the Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Equestrian Hunt Seat Earns High Point Team

The Equestrian Hunt Seat team competed in their second show of the season at Tarleton State University on Nov. 1-2 where they earned High Point Team.

15 riders from WT traveled to Stephenville to compete.

Of these, 10 riders placed first in their individual classes and two riders, senior Equine Industry and Business major, Myleigh Lindsey, and senior Animal Science major, Brooke Forsse, qualified for the regional championship.

Individual Awards

Violet Hodgson – 1^st Open Equitation on the Flat

Lexi Woestman – 1^st Limit Equitation on the Flat

Brooke Forsse – 1^st Novice Equitation on the Flat

Sabrina Welch – 1^st Limit Equitation over Fences

Jayden Stater – 1^st Introductory Equitation on the Flat

Hannah Minton – 1^stOpen Equitation over Fences

Ashley Vaught – 1^st Open Equitation over Fences

Catherine Borchardt – 1^stIntermediate Equitation over Fences

Muireann Benn-Rothstein – 1^stLimit Equitation on the Flat

Myleigh Lindsey – 1^st Novice Equitation on the Flat

Amber Cox – 1^stPre-Novice Equitation on the Flat

Congratulations to the Equestrian Hunt Seat team on their continued success!

Faculty Research Highlight

Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Sierra Miller, was recently featured for her research by the life sciences company, Bruker.

Bruker enables the improvement of the quality of life by manufacturing scientific tools for scientists and researchers.

In her research highlight, Dr. Miller discussed introducing undergraduate students to innovative tools and methods in the field of neuroscience.

To read about Dr. Miller's research, click here.

Companion Animal Club Participates in Community Halloween Event

The WT Companion Animal Club participated in the Halloween Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat & Carnival that was held on Oct. 24 at the Downtown Canyon Square.

Club officers, senior Biology major, Leah Ramirez, junior Wildlife Biology major, Sophia Rivera, sophomore Animal Science major, Kloe Samuels, and sophomore Animal Science major, Paola Muniz, dressed up in costumes and handed out candy to the community.

The Companion Animal Club is open to all majors. For more information about this club, students are directed to contact club officers at lmramirez2@buffs.wtamu.edu or svrivera1@buffs.wtamu.edu.

Successful Weekend for WT Rodeo Team

The WT Rodeo Team competed at the Texas Tech College Rodeo in Lubbock on Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

5 competitors advanced to the short round, with many placing in the top ten.

"This entire semester, we have watched our members put in the work, and in Lubbock, it all came together for a few who have been waiting for their moment," said Assistant Rodeo Coach, Paige Brandon. "I was thrilled to watch it unfold and be a part of it. I'm proud of every member; they all represented WTAMU and WT Rodeo with excellence."

Individual Results

Tie-Down Roping

James Colvin – 4^th in short round and 4^th in average

Steer Wrestling

Justin Wright – 5^th in short round and 4^th in average

James Colvin – 3^rd in short round and 5^th in average

Barrel Racing

Sydney Bracher – 8^th in short round and in average

Lexi Shedd – 6^th in short round and in average

Good luck to the Rodeo Team as they compete at their next rodeo held on Nov. 13-15 at Clarendon College.

Buffs Attend American Chemical Society Regional Conference

The American Chemical Society 2025 Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting was held on Oct. 23-25.

This meeting is hosted by the ACS Central New Mexico Local Section and was held in Albuquerque, NM.

The ACS regional meeting gives chemists the opportunity to network and facilitates the opportunity for future collaborations among attendees.

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Juganta Roy, and senior Chemistry major, Tyler Lafferty, represented WTAMU as they presented their research at this meeting.

Dr. Roy presented his research on the effects of changing molecules in dyes in relation to their absorption to light and electricity. His research was titled: “Impact of π-spacers and acceptors on the optoelectronic properties of TPA-derived donor-based dyes: First principles approach.”

Lafferty presented his research titled: “Hole transport materials for enhanced perovskite solar cell efficiency using DFT and ML.” More specifically, his research was on the movement of negative charges by a substance to make solar energy systems more efficient while using machine learning and mathematical techniques.