Gray was born and raised in Nacogdoches, Texas. He grew up hunting, hiking, fishing, and exploring the lakes and wooded areas near their family farm, which developed his passion for conservation and the outdoors. As a kid, his family would visit the Trans-Pecos area of Texas to hike, swim, and explore Big Bend National Park. It was during these trips when Gray experienced the allure of West Texas. This led him to obtain a Bachelor’s in Natural Resource Management from Sul Ross State University. As an undergrad, he fell in love with kayaking and canoeing stretches of the Rio Grande and studying the interactions of water and the environment. He is excited to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Science degree in Range and Wildlife Management focusing on hydrology and remote sensing.

Water is a precious resource in the arid environment of the Trans-Pecos. Understanding how water can be manipulated using process-based restoration strategies to slow erosion and retain topsoil is vital in restoring habitat. This study will focus on developing an accurate monitoring process using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, such as drones, for examining soil retention. Using remote sensing technology will aid in analyzing the effectiveness of using structures to retain topsoil.