Growing up hunting and fishing, Will developed a lifelong interest in natural resources and wildlife conservation. This early connection to the outdoors fostered a specific interest in waterfowl and game birds. After earning a BS in Natural Resource Ecology & Management with a concentration in Wetland Science from Louisiana State University in May 2025, Will worked as a waterfowl technician assisting with a wood duck/black-bellied whistling duck nest monitoring project. Building on that experience, Will began pursuing an MS at Sul Ross State University in August 2025.

Will Quarles is currently conducting research under the Migratory Game Bird Overwintering Habitat Assessment Project, focused on the development of a habitat suitability model for sandhill cranes in the southwestern United States. Several subpopulations of cranes ranging from California to the Rocky Mountains utilize the Southwest during the overwintering period for a variety of resources, including foraging and shelter. The project integrates movement data coupled with environmental variables that influence habitat preference to build the model. A usable habitat suitability model is a vital tool for state and federal agencies, as well as NGOs, in determining where to manage wintering crane populations. It is important to pinpoint areas where wintering population management will result in the best outcomes in terms of habitat suitability and availability.